How To Unclog Your Sinuses In Just Minutes Using Your Hands
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If youve been wondering what you can do to naturally unclog your sinuses, this simple and all natural trick demonstrated by massage therapist Heather Wibbels will show you how to clear up clogged sinuses in a flash.
MLD, or manual lymphatic drainage massage, is a specialized massage type that gently assists the lymphatic system in maintaining the bodys fluid balance, blood circulation, and immune mechanisms. It was first discovered in the 1930s.
In her video, she shows viewers exactly how to do it, step by step.
By the way, If youre interested in how massage can help your baby, dont miss this story about reflexology for babies.
Massages For Sinus Relief
From pain in the face to having a loss of smell, sinus issues can be very distracting and make you feel pretty awful. While there are many solutions for sinus relief, theres only one you can do whenever and wherever: self-massage.
Massage helps promote drainage from the sinuses and ease congestion, and all you need for this home remedy are your fingers. Here are 3 massage techniques to relieve sinus pain:
1. Frontal sinus massage
The frontal sinuses are found in the center of your forehead, right above each eye.
2. Maxillary sinus massage
The maxillary sinuses are located on either side of the lower half of your nose. Theyre the largest of the four sinuses.
3. Sphenoid/ethmoid sinus massage
The sphenoid sinuses can be found on the side of the skull in the sphenoid bone, which is behind the nose and between the eyes, just below the pituitary gland. The ethmoid sinuses are located in the ethmoid bone, the bone that divides the nasal cavity from the brain.
Nicole Cutler Lac Mtcm Dipl Ac
Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., MTCM is a long time advocate of integrating perspectives on health. With a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester and a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches Institute, Nicole has been a licensed acupuncturist since 2000. She has gathered acupuncture licenses in the states of California and New York, is a certified specialist with the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, has earned diplomat status with the National Commission of Chinese and Oriental Medicine in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology and is a member of the Society for Integrative Oncology. In addition to her acupuncture practice that focuses on stress and pain relief, digestion, immunity and oncology, Nicole contributes to the integration of healthcare by writing articles for professional massage therapists and people living with liver disease.
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Can It Replace Other Treatment Options
In minor cases, a facial massage for sinuses may be more than enough to relieve pain. But if the pain is severe or if your symptoms come back after the massage, you may need to use other treatments.
You should talk to your doctor about other treatments, especially if you also have a fever. Your doctor can determine the cause of your symptoms, and they can provide the best solution for you.
Consider a few other treatments you can use for sinuses besides a facial massage.
How Sinus Massage Helps
Massaging the sinuses is thought to help sinus pain and congestion by relieving pressure and helping the sinus drain out mucus. The gentle pressure and warmth from the hands may also help by increasing blood circulation to the area.
However, not a lot of research has been done on sinus massage. A few smaller studies show promising results, but more research is needed.
In one recent study, facial massage therapy significantly reduced the severity of sinus headaches in 35 women. In another study in male athletes with chronic sinusitis, facial therapeutic massage was shown to significantly reduce facial congestion and facial tenderness compared to the control group who didnt receive a massage.
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Steps To An Effective Facial Sinus Massage
Throughout the day, a comprehensive massage can prevent the build-up of sinus pressure throughout the major sinus groups. Practice will allow the sinusitis sufferer to follow these steps in a couple of minutes.
- Begin the massage on the forehead and cheeks with gentle circles using the index fingers on the forehead and thumbs on the cheeks. The motion continues as the hands work upward.
- Locate the v-shaped notch between the eyebrows and use both thumbs to apply firm pressure for 10 full seconds. Release the pressure and repeat three times. Move the thumbs outward approximately 1 centimeter and reapply the pressure in this area in three repetitions.
- Using the middle fingers, locate the bony indentation on each side of the nose. Apply gentle pressure here for ten seconds.
- Use to fingers to apply gentle pressure to the top of the nose between the eyebrows. Immediately following this, move the same two fingers to the underside of the cheekbone for a count of ten.
- Create small circles of movement along the jawbone from the ears to the center of the chin. Relax the facial muscles with deep stretches, or yawing. Repeat this 10 times.
Low-grade headaches are the initial indicators that the sinuses require some gentle massaging. Use of these exercises will become habit and fewer medications will be required. Each person will devise a personalized approach to relieving sinus pressure throughout the day.
How To Massage Your Sinuses To Relieve Congestion
Facial sinus massage involves gentle pressure applied with the hands to the skin on the forehead, nose and cheeks. Sinusitis is the most common chronic illness in the United States with more than 35 million people suffering daily symptoms. Few people find significant relief from the medications prescribed by family care physicians. A few moments each day invested in gentle sinus massage has provided noticeable relief from nasal congestion, facial pain and headache pain. With some practice, the sinusitis sufferer will develop a personalized routine that addresses specific sinus areas and relieves symptoms.
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How To Relieve Sinus And Nasal Congestion
You can use your fingers to gently massage your sinuses to get nasal congestion relief. For example, place your index fingers on both sides of your nose where the nose and cheek meet , and apply moderate pressure for 2 to 3 minutes. You can also use your index fingers to apply pressure on the bridge of your nose, right between your eyebrows hold for 2 to 3 minutes. This sinus massage will bring comfort to your nasal passages.
Flushing out your sinuses with salt water can help clear out mucus and other irritants and reduce inflammation of the mucous membrane, resulting in better drainage. This can be done with a neti pot, syringe or various other products that can be found in drug stores. When using a nasal rinse, be sure to use sterile or previously boiled water, and rinse and dry the device thoroughly after each use.
Over-the-counter nasal decongestants reduce blood flow to the nasal membranes, which decreases swelling and congestion. They can help open up your nasal passages and decrease pressure in your sinuses. For fast relief, try Sinex⢠Severe All-in-One Sinus Liquicapsâthe non-drowsy formula contains a powerful pain reliever and phenylephrine, a safe and effective decongestant.
Techniques That Relieve Cold Symptoms
The congestion and aches of a cold can be debilitating and depressing. Here are some simple acupressure and lymphatic techniques that you can use to relieve your symptoms. Try using a combination of these for five minutes every few hours while your cold is at its peak. We hope they help you to feel better soon!
Our high quality therapists at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto will give you the best bodywork sessions to shore up your circulatory and immune systems, keeping you strong and healthy during this winter season.
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How To Use Acupressure To Clear Stuffy Sinuses
We are no strangers to that sensation of suffocation when we get a stuffy nose right? It feels like you may never breathe normally again. Our sinuses can get blocked for many reasons such as allergies and colds or even climate changes. When this happens running to the doctor for some medicines may seem like the only option that you have is to go to a doctor. However, sometimes these issues can be solved with a little bit of acupressure, or simply touching a pressure point.
Option #2try Out This Self Massage Technique
Theres many of these variations you can find on YouTube, but this one from Rachel Richards Massage is one of my favorites. Plus it also helps that shes a licensed massage therapist, so she probably knows what shes talking about. In any case, check out the video below!
Notice how she works the sinuses both by stroking and applying pressure? I think that makes it twice as effective as some of the other self massage techniques. Ive used Rachels method previously and I can say Ive felt a huge difference with how congested I felt before/after!
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Where Are The Sinuses
The sinuses are hollow spaces or cavities in the bones around the nose. Your sinuses make mucus or fluid. The mucus drains into your nasal cavity and down the back of your throat. This keeps your nose moist and gets rid of dust, allergens, and germs.
There are four pairs of sinuses connected to your nose:
- in the cheekbones on each side of your nose
- above your eyes near the forehead
- between the eyes and the bridge of your nose
- behind your eyes
How To Clear Your Sinuses
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Stuffy Sinuses Are The Worst
Its Sunday night and youre all but ready to hit the sheets, but before you do, something doesnt quite feel right. Your throat feels a little itchy and yucky, so you head down to your medicine cabinet and pop a cap of some Nyquil cough syrup. That should take care of it! is what you think as you tuck yourself in for the night.
In Layman Terms Sinuses Are Simply Systems Of Empty Pockets Located In The Skull News Flash: We All Have Sinuses
According to WebMD, sinuses are a connected system of hollow cavities in the skull . Typically these hollow pockets should only be filled with air, but when you have a sinus infection they become inflamed and blocked and as a result they start to fill with fluids. Its these blockages that are responsible for making you feel so crappy. Its these blockages that make you feel like:
You got hit by a semi truck!Your head is a balloon!Your face is about to explode!
So its these blockages we should be concerned about when attempting to massage our sinuses. It then follows, sinus massage is the process of massaging the blocked cavities in an attempt to drain any excess fluids. By draining excess fluids, one feels somewhat relieved!
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Why Do Sinuses Require Clearing
No doubt youve had a cold before. If youve had a really bad one, then you know what a stuffed up head feels like
Why do you feel this way? Because the common cold, or cold virus, attacks the upper respiratory tract. Yeah, thatd be the same upper respiratory tract where your sinuses are located. Anyway, this attack causes your sinuses to swell and kicks mucus production into overdrive.
Naturally Clearing Your Sinuses
While over-the-counter medicines may help alleviate stuffed sinus passageways, they arent well-tolerated by everyone. Besides that, OTC meds may be entirely ineffective
Fortunately, the techniques we discuss for clearing your sinuses involves nothing but your fingers!
No more science-ey stuff!
Effects Of Sinusitis On Daily Life
A picture of the sinuses reveals the extensive network of air-filled spaces that lie within the bone structures of the human face. When working properly, the sinuses protect the body from airborne germs, disease and pathogens that would bring infection into the lungs. Natural mucous is produced to protect the inner lining of each sinus cavity.
Common health problems exacerbate the sinus blockages:
- Bacteria Unhealthy levels of bacteria in the sinuses damage the lining of the noise and block the natural drainage channels.
- Allergies Particles in the air, such as pollen, pet dander and dust, irritate the nasal tissues and cause inflammation, which results in blockage in the drainage channels.
- Nasal polyps The presence of polyps in the nasal passages cause blockages that result in extensive sinus issues.
Problems in this delicate system lead to blocked sinuses that become painful without treatment. Traditional treatments have included drugs that dry out the sinuses instead of correcting the actual problem. Constant pain is the companion of people who succumb to daily battles to find the right combination of medications that will provide relief.
Facial sinus massage could provide relief without taking medications that cause drowsiness or other side effects. Techniques can be embraced to tailor the perfect massage routine for the individual. Hope inspires the sinusitis sufferer to embrace different approaches to massage that will become part of the daily routine.
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Apply Pressure Across Both Eyebrows
If you feel that your stuffed sinuses are climbing up higher into your head and beginning to give you a headache, you may want to try out something different. There is a pressure point that you can use to relieve the pressure inside the nose and the upper sinuses at the same time.
In this video, massage therapist Amber Lynn Vitale explains how moving the pressure across your eyebrows can encourage the movement of the fluid that has got stuck there as well.
First, place your fingers at the beginning of each of your eyebrows close to the centre where they do not meet, then lean forward and rest your head against your fingers and place your elbows on a flat surface. After a few seconds when you start to feel the pressure shift, slide your fingers towards the middle of each eyebrow. Hold it there until you begin to feel a slight tightness in the pressure and then move your fingers again, this time towards the end of each eyebrow. You can now either hold it steady creating a stable acupressure point or you can run your fingers in tiny circles to stimulate the flow of fluid away from your forehead, giving you quick pain relief. Once the liquid is flowing, you will feel that the pressure in the centre of your head is also beginning to disperse.
Give Yourself A Quick Mini
Usually, massages are great for our bodies and make us feel good, so why not try a mini-massage when you are feeling like a knot of sinus pressure is building up in your head? In this video, massage therapist Heather Wibbels shows you how you can pull the fluid from your head with a quick and easy mini-massage.
Use your fingertips to push firmly on the notch of your collarbone repetitively to get the fluid moving downwards. If the acupressure is working you will feel the need to clear your throat and your ears might suddenly open up when the pressure in them has been released.
However, some people may find this uncomfortable. If that is the case for you, cross your hands and make a V shape, and then use the same pumping motion on the sides of your neck so that the lymph fluid is released. In both of these movements, a lymphatic vacuum is created and it helps move the fluid that is collected in your sinuses to drain downwards and away from your head.
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Does Sinus Massage Provide Long
Well, some research support that massaging does help a lot in easing pain and pressure caused due to sinus. A good gentle massage better the blood circulation in the area which helps in treating nasal congestion. In some cases, facial massage also helped in decreasing sinus discomfort. However, these massages are to be done regularly to prevent sinus from building up again. Only then youll receive satisfactory results.
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