Sinus Pressure Points: Identifying Them and Methods for Activation
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Acupressure, a non-invasive variant of acupuncture, has gained popularity as a potential remedy for sinus congestion. This ancient practice, originating from traditional Chinese medicine, involves stimulating specific points on the body with massage, instead of needles.
If you're experiencing persistent pain in your nose, forehead, or around your eyes, or if you have signs of an infection such as swelling or a fever, or difficulty breathing through your nose, it's important to seek professional care. However, for those dealing with occasional sinus congestion, acupressure might offer some relief.
Certain acupressure points, such as LI20 (located at the lower edge of the nose near the nostrils) and Du23 (mid-forehead), are traditionally used to alleviate sinus congestion, sneezing, and sniffling by applying gentle pressure or massage. Another point, Yin Tang (between the eyebrows), is also commonly used.
The mechanism proposed is that stimulating these points may reduce inflammation in nasal passages, enhance blood circulation, and promote lymphatic drainage, which could physically relieve congestion and related symptoms.
Acupuncture, including acupressure, has been shown to modulate immune function and reduce allergic and inflammatory sinus symptoms in some studies, supporting its potential use for sinus-related issues.
However, comprehensive systematic reviews of acupuncture therapies highlight that the strength of evidence varies widely across conditions. While acupuncture shows moderate to high certainty evidence for some disorders, the specific effects of acupressure targeting sinus pressure points for nasal congestion require further high-quality research to firmly confirm efficacy.
Complementary approaches such as ear acupuncture behind the ear may also influence sinus pressure indirectly by affecting nervous system regulation, inflammation, and muscle tightness, but this is more adjunctive than directly proven for nasal congestion relief.
In summary, scientific studies support the plausibility that stimulating sinus acupressure points can provide symptomatic relief from nasal congestion through improved circulation, inflammation reduction, and immune modulation. However, the evidence is not yet robust enough to conclusively prove these effects. Acupressure is generally safe and can be used as a complementary approach alongside conventional treatments, with the caveat that more rigorous clinical trials are needed for definitive validation.
As always, if you're experiencing significant difficulty breathing through your nose or mouth, call 911 or otherwise seek emergency care. If pressure point stimulation hurts, reduce the pressure or stop the massage. It's also recommended to use acupressure with the supervision of a doctor.
References:
- Bronfort G, et al. Acupuncture for the treatment of chronic sinusitis with nasal congestion: a systematic review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2009;32(5):311–320.
- Kim J, et al. Effects of acupuncture on nasal symptoms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Korean Medical Science. 2015;30(12):1661–1669.
- Lee MS, et al. Acupuncture for chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Investigative Allergology & Clinical Immunology. 2016;26(4):306–314.
- Zhang L, et al. Acupuncture for managing allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2013;131(4):1028–1037.
- Chen X, et al. The mechanism of auricular acupuncture for chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014;2014:657841.
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