The extreme fluctuating temperatures of Michigan along with allergy season starting about 2 months early this year has caused many people to suffer from the effects of increased sinus pain and pressure, more commonly known as Sinusitis. According to the American Rhinologic Society (RNS), more than 30 million people are diagnosed with sinusitis each year. Chronic sinusitis effects about 15% of the US population, making it one of the most common chronic illnesses in America.
Our sinus cavities are normally filled with air. Theses cavities are lined with epithelial tissue that secretes a small amount of mucus. The sinuses have small openings called meatuses that allow this mucus to drain into the nasal passages. The purpose of this mucus is to flush out toxins such as virus, bacteria, fungi, and allergens. Structural changes effecting the size of the meatuses and inflammation can both inhibit optimal drainage of the mucus into the nasal passages. This causes mucus to build up further blocking the openings in the sinuses creating a breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens.
Common Symptoms of Sinusitis:
- Nasal drainage that is thick and discolored
- Nasal congestion or obstruction
- Constant headache
- Pain, pressure, or fullness behind the eyes
- Facial pain, pressure, or fullness effecting areas surrounding eyes, cheeks, forehead, and teeth
- Ear pain, pressure, or fullness
- Watery Eyes
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Jaw pain
Most of the time, sinusitis symptoms are acute and are a result of cold or flu symptoms. These symptoms usually resolve within about 10 days. However, there are a population of people who suffer from chronic sinusitis, lasting greater than 10 days and even up to 3 months or more. For this group of people, headaches, facial pain and fullness, ear pain and fullness, dental pain, jaw pain can feel like a losing battle. Over-the-counter medication only provides temporary relief of symptoms without addressing the actual cause. For many people, over-the-counter allergy and pain relievers are not an option because of side effects or because of possible drug interactions with medications they are already taking.
CranioSacral Therapy has the potential to provide immediate relief of sinus pain and pressure by addressing the cause of your symptoms.
Structural Causes:
Trauma to head, face or jaw, TMJ, and whiplash are all possible reasons the openings (meatuses) in the sinuses may be altered. CST addresses these changes by working on the sutures in your skull, re-aligning them to their optimal position and therefore removing any obstruction to the drainage of your sinuses through the meatuses.
Soft-Tissue Causes:
Fascia (soft-tissue) covers everything in the body, down to the cellular level. Fascial restrictions in structures surrounding your chest, neck, and head can create an environment where circulation is not optimal. CST releases those fascial restrictions improving circulation and removal of waste products which in turn decreases inflammation causing the sinusitis.
If you are struggling with increased sinus pressure and all of the symptoms that can accompany it, CST may be the answer you have been looking for! I have had tremendous success using CST for the treatment of sinusitis in adults and adolescents.
“I had been dealing with a constant sinus headache and increased sinus drainage for two days. Sinus medication was not touching it. I scheduled a CST appointment; my first one ever. After feeling so relaxed and having the pressure release, I gradually felt the pain subside that night and the headache was gone by the next day!”
– Amy A.
CranioSacral Therapy can definitely help with sinusitis, but more importantly it will move your entire body toward a state of homeostasis where healing and repair are optimal. This means that your body will be able to fight off future physical and mental stressors with increased success resulting in decreased down time and trips to the doctor.
