Can Physiotherapist Help with Sinusitis
Blogs, / By Shi Qi Yap
Congested or clogged sinuses can be very annoying and painful for most. There’s nothing better than being able to breathe from your nose easily and passively.
Read this blog to know what is sinusitis and how a physiotherapist can help with sinusitis.
What is Sinusitis?
SInusitis is refer to the infection or inflammation of the sinuses. It can have varying symptoms from minor to severe discomfort. Sinuses are the air-filled structure located within our facial bones. They are found in the frontal (forehead area), maxillary (cheeks area), ethmoidal (around the eyes) and sphenoidal (near to ear) parts of our face.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
- Heaviness and pressure feeling in the face
- Nasal blockage
- Pressure changes with head movement
- Headache
- Swelling around eyes, cheeks, nore and forehead
- Possible pain around jaw and the TMJ (temporomandibular joint)
- Loss of the senses of smell and taste
- Coloured mucus
- Running nose and coughing
- Feeling unwell and run down
How Physio Can Help in Sinusitis?
Physiotherapy is a non-invasive plan of treatment. Currently, the scientific evidence about the effects of physiotherapy treatment towards sinusitis is still limited but to some extent, such therapeutic exercise can help in reducing symptoms of sinusitis. Here are some physiotherapy techniques that can help with sinusitis:
- Manual massage
Massaging around your frontal, maxillary, sphenoid and ethmoidal areas may help to stimulate the secretion to be drained. Besides, it helps by relieving pressure and making the sinuses to flush out. The firm and light pressure can increase the local temperature, which further helps to increase the area’s blood supply. - Humidifying spray
The physiotherapist may use a humidifying spray, steam inhalation or nebulizers to mobilize the thick mucus, which further helps you to expel them out. - Bronchal hygiene technique
The physiotherapist may correct your breathing foam by prescribing some exercise and performing some airway clearance techniques (coughing and huffing) to help to keep your bronchial and airway clear and clean.
Besides, your physiotherapist may teach you some technique that allows you to perform at home and get a instant relieve from your stuffy nose!
We have posted a short video about the tip of relieve your stuffy nose on our instagram and youtube. Give yourself a try! If you are not sure how to do it, watch this!
If you have any more questions or would like our physiotherapists to assess or treat your back pain, feel free to drop us a question, talk to us, or fill in the form below. Do check out our Instagram page too.
Yap Shi Qi
Rehab Therapist
Shi Qi graduated with Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons), awarded by Anglia Ruskin University, UK. Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner (CKTP®). She practiced as a physiotherapist in a Malaysian private physiotherapy center with a special interest in musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation. Her previous experience inspired her to combine active approach along with patients’ education to optimize the rehabilitation outcome in sports-related injuries and postural pain.
In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, singing, and playing piano.