Use Acupressure to Clear Congested Sinuses in 30 Seconds

December 21, 2020Dr. Grant Radermacher

Stuffy sinuses are no fun.

Especially in 2020, where every sniffle is another round of “is it Covid or just allergies?” Mainstream medicine usually takes the medication approach to sinus congestion, but decongestant drugs almost always come with some not-so-desirable side effects.

Thankfully, there are some clever old-school acupressure tricks to help clear your clogged sinuses – naturally – in just 30 seconds.

Acupressure is different than acupuncture – it doesn’t involve needles and what we’re doing here has nothing to do with meridians, qi, or any traditional Chinese medicine energy mumbo-jumbo. We’re simply taking advantage of your anatomy to give your body some manual assistance in clearing your sinuses.

And since all you need to perform these maneuvers are your fingers and thumbs, acupressure is tough to beat when it comes to convenience.

Acupressure Method #1

Here’s how to do it:

First, push your tongue against the top of your mouth – don’t aim for a specific point but rather push it flat against the top of your palate. Then use one or two fingers to apply pressure directly between your eyebrows. Hold it for about 30 seconds. When you let go, you should start to feel a little movement and drainage in the back of your throat.

It’s a very simple trick that usually gets the job done. If it doesn’t, move on to method 2.

Acupressure Method #2

Use both thumbs to apply pressure to the inner point of each eyebrow, between the bridge of your nose and eye socket. Press for 30 seconds and release.

Repeat until you feel your sinuses begin to open.

Acupressure Method #3

If neither of the first two acupressure methods give you relief, try this.

Place both of your middle fingers beside each of your nostrils and your index fingers next to them. Press into your cheekbones on both sides with your middle finger, hold for 30 seconds, release, then apply pressure with your index fingers for another 30 seconds. Repeat until you feel a free flow of air in your nostrils.

Can Chiropractic Help?

While what we do at Ascent Chiropractic is focused mainly on musculoskeletal problems, it’s not unusual for patients to have their chronic rhinosinusitis disappear as we correct what’s going on in their upper cervical spines.

Sinus congestion is caused by more than just excess mucus. In fact, a stuffy nose is just as much a result of inflammation of the blood vessels lining the nasal cavity as it is your body going into booger-making overdrive.

When you correct dysfunction in the cervical spine, therefore reducing swelling and inflammation surrounding the vertebral arteries leading to your head, overactive sinus tissues calm down and congestion is reduced.

Research has shown that even a single adjustment can make a significant improvement in a patient’s sinusitis symptoms.

Seriously, it’s a no-brainer.

Ready to get started and looking for a Brookfield-area chiropractor? We’d love to help you get started with chiropractic care. Make an appointment at Ascent Chiropractic in Brookfield by calling 262-345-4166 or schedule an appointment with our online scheduling app.