Why should we try Osteopathy for Sinusitis?
“Blocked” feeling!! Sinusitis is a common condition that people address daily. People often experience headaches, pain over their eyeballs, forehead, temple region, cheeks, back of the head, neck, and even teeth. Drainage through the sins is an important one, that is essential for the normal physiological functioning of the body as this only allows the easy, uninterrupted passage of air through the nose.
What are sinuses? Sinuses are spaces or cavities within the facial bones, filled with air. Before it enters into the lungs, the air is humidified by sinus spaces. There is a lining in the sinus that traps the bacteria by producing mucus and expels it out of the body through the nasal cavity. Sinus walls are made of cranial bones.
As there is no fusion of cranial bones, sutures are present that allow narrow passage. In conditions when the compression of sutures occurs as a result of jamming of bones, the drainage through the sinus is obstructed as the cranial bones do not allow passage. This causes accumulation of mucus within the sinus and causes congestion, and infection occurs.
Trauma or injury to the face can also restrict movement (ciliary movement) between the bones of the face. Birth injuries, birth compression, dental, and head trauma are the most possible causes. It also leads to restriction to mucus drainage, and infection occurs.
When the inflammation of the lining of the sinus, the mucus membrane occurs, sinusitis arises. It can be due to bacterial, fungal, viral, allergic, or due to any medications.
Osteopathy helps you clear the sinus infection, makes breathing easier and leads a life more comfortably through the holistic approach!!
Functions of sinus
- Humidification of inhaled air
- Increases voice resonance
- Provide insulation for eyes and dental roots from temperature fluctuation occurring in the nasal cavity
- Decrease the weight of the skull (front)
- Act as a buffer (when a blow to the face occurs)
Sinus types
Four pairs of sinuses:
- Frontal sinus -found above the eyes. Inflammation leads to tenderness over the forehead.
- Ethmoid sinus -behind the nose. The tissues around the eyes become inflamed, pain and tenderness on the sides of the nose causing “stuffy” and loss of smell.
- Sphenoid sinus -located on a central aspect, behind the eyes. Nasal polyp, sore throat can be seen.
- Maxillary sinus -on the cheekbone. Cheek, tooth, and jaw sensitivity are the most common symptoms seen when the sinus becomes inflamed.
Symptoms Of Sinusitis
Commonly observed symptoms are inflammation, pain, and obstruction of the upper respiratory tract.
Other symptoms include:
- Pain the head.
- Headache, mostly when getting up in the morning
- Pain on the face.
- Congestion of nose
- Fever, occasionally
- Pressure on face
- Cough, occurring consistently
- The feeling of swelling or fullness of eyes
- Green/yellow mucus coming from the nose
- Loss of smell or anosmia
- Foul odor
- Fatigue
- Postnasal drip
On examination, sinus can be found inflamed, nasal mucosa being congested and red. Sore neck and deviation of the nasal septum can also be noticed. Taking up medication can calm down the symptoms, that dry the sinus by draining mucus.
Treatment Of Sinusitis Through Osteopathy
Osteopathy treatment mainly aims to allow the movement of cranial bones. It removes the congestion and helps the adequate drainage of mucus from the sinus, which ultimately brings back the physiological functions to a normal state. The patient feels more relaxed, more healthy as the sinus becomes opened.
Osteopathy treatment evaluates, assess, diagnose and treat the existing condition more efficiently. Cranial Osteopathy techniques are used to enhance the movement of the cranial bones, to understand the “block” for the movement that restricts the sinus movement. Normal movement of the head is made possible using the technique where compression of sutures is removed. This eventually helps enhance the blood flow by removing the blockage allowing sinus drainage, and normal body mechanism ensured.
Osteopaths work on the face, neck, and all areas where the sinus is present. It helps alleviate all symptoms including headache, breathing made easy, and prevent mucus accumulation within the sinus. Treatment is carried out on the neck and thorax, upper back, and shoulder so that more drainage is encouraged, to reduce the tension of sinusitis. The gentle movement of cranial bones and face forming the lining for sinus is made possible through cranial osteopathy technique and the general holistic Osteopathic practice.
Generally, Osteopathy aims to:
- Alleviate pain
- Remove obstruction
- Improves the ciliary movement of mucosa and its clearance
- An effect of reflex
- Improves blood flow
- Improves lymphatic drainage
- Avoid reoccurrence
- Enhancing the microcirculation
- Reducing swelling, boosting the natural killer cells of the body, thereby increasing immunity
Peculiarities of Richards Osteopathy
Our Osteopaths work for your physical, mental, emotional, and overall well-being. A surety in the proper functioning of your sinuses is made by our Osteopaths. Proper movement of the bones and if, compression is assessed based on a complete case history. We help you by teaching you techniques for the drainage of sinuses. Exercises that help to drain mucus (excess) are also taught by our Osteopaths. Stop living with trouble, we are here to help you!!
