Can acupuncture help with sinusitis and sinus headaches?
If your first response to any sinus headaches is to reach for over-the-counter medications, I don’t blame you. Headaches, migraines, pain, allergies can adversely affect our lives. Sometimes these drugs are perfect until it stops working, or it never worked at all. Then what do you do? Let’s first take a look at what such symptoms may look like.
What is a sinus headache?
A sinus headache is associated with pain in the face and sinus area that may also cause a stuffy nose. Sometimes this can lead to headaches.
A sinus headache is a headache that may feel like a sinus infection known as sinusitis, which as its name implies, inflammation of your sinus. Sinusitis often occurs after a cold or upper respiratory infection and may require antibiotics. While infections are best treated with pharmaceuticals, headaches, and congestion may be alleviated with acupuncture.
Sinus headaches or Migraines?
Sinus headaches and migraines have similar symptoms. A sinusitis headache lasts days while migraines last hours. Migraines are also associated with symptoms such as nausea or vomiting. A sinus headache is located around the sinus area such as above the eyes, the bridge of the nose, and the upper cheek area. On average, 50 million people in the US experience allergy symptoms, like a sinus headache, per year.
Common symptoms of sinusitis:
Runny nose
Facial pain/pressure
Congestion
Headache
Sore throat
Cough
How can acupuncture help with sinusitis or allergic rhinitis and sinus headaches?
Common acupuncture points on your face can be used to help alleviate the sinus pain you may experience associated with allergies, sinusitis, and sinus headaches. These local points are particularly helpful in recruiting the proper immune response cells to alleviate your symptoms.
In a research review in 2018, focusing on meta-analysis and clinical trials in the effects of acupuncture in treating allergic rhinitis. Researches found that those who experience moderate to severe allergic rhinitis found comparable relief in acupuncture compared to prescribed medications without side effects. Acupuncture may be a great option for you if you are experiencing side effects from over-the-counter medications.
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Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9641-sinus-headaches
https://www.bigtreehealing.com/how-to-relieve-sinus-pain-with-acupressure/
https://www.healthline.com/health/acupuncture-for-sinus#points
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sinus-headaches/symptoms-causes/syc-20377580#:~:text=Sinus%20headaches%20are%20headaches%20that,a%20diagnosis%2C%20actually%20have%20migraines.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6320097/