Between nasal congestion and discharge, facial pain, congestion, pressure, and headaches, sinus pain can make you feel lonely.
Sinus pain and congestion are often caused by seasonal allergies or the common cold. Some people, however, experience recurring sinus pain and congestion because of:
abnormal growths of tissue inside the nose, called nasal polyps
an uneven wall of tissue between the nostrils, known as a deviated septum
another disease
This type of nasal congestion (when a person has repeated or prolonged episodes) is called chronic sinusitis. It affects approx 30 million Americans.
Over-the-counter and prescription medications are often used to relieve sinus pain. However, if you want to try something different, you might consider sinus drainage.
Massage helps promote sinus drainage and relieve congestion. And all you need for this home remedy is your fingers.
Self-massage is easy to do yourself. All it takes is a few minutes of gentle massaging and applying pressure to the appropriate parts of your face.
The human body has four pairs of sinews. Each one is named after the bones found in it. You can massage the ones that are bothering you, or try massaging all four sinus areas.
1. Frontal sinus massage
Frontal sinuses are located in the middle of the forehead, above each eye.
Start by rubbing your hands together to warm them up.
Place your index and middle fingers on either side of the forehead, just above the eyebrows.
Clean gradually in outward circular motions, working outwards, toward the temples.
Do this for about 30 seconds.
2. Maxillary sinus massage
The maxillary sinuses are located on both sides of the nose, below the cheeks, but above the teeth. They are the largest of all four.
Place your index and middle fingers in the area between the cheekbones and upper jaw, on either side of the nose.
Scrub the area in a circular motion for about 30 seconds.
For stronger pressure, use your thumbs instead of your index fingers.
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 separates the nose from the brain.
This process will deal with both types of sins.
Place your index fingers over the bridge of your nose.
Find the area between the nasal bone and the corner of the eyes.
Hold firm pressure on that area with your fingers for about 15 seconds.
Then, using your index fingers, stroke down along the bridge of your nose.
Repeat the downward strokes slowly for about 30 seconds.
You can repeat all these massages several times until your eyelids feel free from tightness. You can also combine sinus massage with other home remedies such as warm compresses or steam inhalation, for additional relief.
Sinuses are a system of hollow holes in your skull. Scientists have been to heated debate over true sinus function for decades. Some believe they have a role in sending and filtering the air we breathe. They may also help reduce the volume of the skull and help improve the voice.
Healthy sinuses are basically empty cavities with a thin layer of mucus. Inflamed sinuses (for example, a cold, or allergies) produce mucus. This causes congestion, which in turn causes facial pressure and pain.
You may experience sinus pain in one or four sinus areas. Many people with sinusitis have pain all over their face, regardless of which sinus is affected.
Massaging them is thought to help sinus pain and congestion by relieving pressure and helping the sinuses clear mucus. Gentle pressure and warmth from the hands can also help by increasing blood circulation to the area.
However, not much research has been done on sinus massage. A few small 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 on male athletes with chronic sinusitis, therapeutic facial massage was shown to significantly reduce facial congestion and facial tenderness compared to a control group that did not receive massage.
There is no reliable research showing that the effects of sinus massage are long-lasting. Some licensed massage therapists suggest that the massage process needs to be repeated throughout the day to prevent sinus pressure from building up again.
You can adjust the massage to focus more on a specific area of the face, depending on your symptoms.
Sinus massage is one of the many home remedies that can help relieve sinus pressure, pain, or congestion. Research proving it works is limited, but small studies suggest it may be beneficial for some people.
You may need to repeat the massage techniques several times throughout the day to prevent mucus build-up in the sinuses again.
If you have severe pain that persists despite home treatment, or your sinus pain is accompanied by a high fever (above 102°F or 38.9°C), see your doctor. It could be a sinus infection or another underlying problem that needs treatment.
