Sinusitis is a condition which can be acute or chronic and fortunately, Eastern medicine is adept at treating both.
The most common symptoms of an acute infection are drainage of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat, nasal obstruction or congestion, resulting in problems breathing through the nose as well as pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead that possibly worsens when bending over.
The most likely cause of sinusitis is the common cold virus which could progress into a bacterial infection. Another cause is allergies and in some rare cases, fungus.
Acupuncture is wonderful for treating nasal obstruction and pain in an acute bout of sinusitis. Some of the local acupuncture points illustrated in the picture below provide almost immediate relief of nasal obstruction. It is amazing to feel your miserably, clogged sinus passages open up and for the pressure and pain to subside. A course of acupuncture and herbal therapy may not only treat acute sinusitis but can also help to improve your immune system and other aspects of your health to prevent future sinus problems.
I might have five different people come to my clinic to receive acupuncture and herbs for sinus problems and each one is likely to have a different Eastern medicine diagnosis. It is this important diagnosis which is the deciding factor in what acupuncture points I use and especially what herbal formulas I choose. This means that because no two people are the same, no two sinus infections are the same. The unique diagnosis systems of Eastern medicine allow for the treatment of both common symptoms of a sinus infection as well as symptoms which are unique to an individual.
If you would like to find out more about using Eastern medicine to treat sinus infections, please call or text me at 360-926-0859
Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351671
2. ibid
3. http://care.american-rhinologic.org/fungal_sinusitis