Physiotherapy & Sinusitis Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses in your face. Smoking and other pollution is by far the biggest cause of sinus problems. The sinuses respond to the irritant by producing extra mucus to try to get rid of the irritant. This may cause the small drainage holes (ostia) to block up if the mucus is too thick. Each session will consist of a combination of the following therapies. As with your medication, it is a course of treatments, running for at least 4 sessions before the full impact of treatment is felt. Thinning the secretions: To thin the mucus, we use a humidifying mist, generated ultrasonically, which is a combination of normal saline and the mucolytic your doctor prescribes. Opening the sinus drains: The ostia are very small and easily blocked by inflammation. The ultrasound and the laser machines are used to help here. Moving the secretions: Laser and Ultrasound also help to drive the mucous toward the drain holes and encourage normal mucus clearance. Mobilization:Your therapist may choose to perform head/neck mobilization to help “open” the sinuses. Dry needling:Needles help to reduce pain and the swelling that blocks the ostia. General hints for Sinusitis sufferers: Like asthma, sinusitis worsens with cold. So avoid iced drinks, ice cream, frozen yoghurt and even ice cold water. Drink room temperature fluids. Do your own breathing therapy: Rest your tongue gently against the roof of your mouth and breathe deeply and slowly through your nose for a count of 8, hold for 5 seconds, and breathe out for a count of 10 seconds. Try using aromatic oils to sniff, or to put in a bath. Try eucalyptus, basil, peppermint, or lavender oils. Avoid things like dairy products (thick secretions), spicy or MSG rich foods, ready-made sauces, pickles, preserves (all increase secretions too much) and refined sugars. So stay away from curries, chutneys, cheese, milk etc. Take whatever medication the doctor prescribes, exactly as prescribed, and finish the course, even if you feel well. These may include steroids to control the inflammation, antibiotics for the infection, decongestants, or mucolytics, which help to break up the phlegm. Stop smoking. It paralyses your conveyor belt and increases your secretions!
