Chronic sinusitis (sinus infection) is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States, affecting 37 million a year.
Acute sinus infection is characterized by:
thick yellow or green mucus
nasal congestion
facial pain/pressure
post-nasal drip
headache
ear pain/infections
consistent cold or allergy symptoms
This condition usually lasts for 10 days or less.
Someone suffering from chronic sinusitis might present few to none of the acute symptoms after the initial 10 day period, but will have the following for 3 months or more afterwards:
pain in the face, head, or neck
loss of appetite
fatigue
cough (usually worse at night)
Chronic sinusitis can be caused by persistent allergies and overuse of nasal decongestants as well as acute sinus infection. If left untreated, chronic sinusitis can lead to extremely serious infection requiring intense rounds of antibiotics and even surgery in Western medicine.
In earlier stages, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be used as an alternative to Western treatment. The longer the condition persists untreated, the more likely that TCM will need to be implemented in tandem with other, less natural medical practices.
Consult with your general practitioner and a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner before beginning any treatment.
Acupuncture for Sinusitis
Sinusitis is caused by inflammation in the nasal membranes that cause them to produce more mucus and become blocked. Acupuncture works to improve microcirculation, breaking up blockages that cause inflammation. By reducing inflammation, it decreases mucus production and allows nasal passages to drain.
Chronic infection like sinusitis suppresses the immune system, a cycle that prevents the body from making a complete recovery. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins in the brain, which helps to restore the immune system's full function and bring the infection under control.
In clinical study, acupuncture had a 96.5% effective rate in curing chronic sinus congestion. For a chronic condition, 30 treatments are recommended for the greatest rate of recovery.
If you or a loved one are suffering from chronic sinusitis, let acupuncture work to help you reach recovery without antibiotics! Call us at (321) 972-2940 to schedule your initial health consultation today.
Sources:
Cohen, M. "Treatment for a Common Problem: Chronic Sinusitis." (April 2003). Retrieved from http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=28181
HealthCMI. Acupuncture Cures Chronic Sinus Congestion Research. (January 8, 2011). Retrieved from http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/347-acupuncturecureschronicsinuscongestion1811