The neti pot is a low-tech, highly effective solution to sinus problems and it’s as important a part of self-care as brushing your teeth.
If you suffer chronic nasal congestion, are afflicted with sinus headaches, experience sinus pressure (here’s a simple sinus massage) and sinus infections, or simply find you get frequent colds regular use of the neti pot will positively impact these symptoms.
Anatomically, your sinus passages easily trap mucus because they are a labyrinth of soft tissue and bone shaped like vertical pockets.
The principle that “water follows salt” is put to use when the neti pot deposits salted water into the sinus cavity and draws out the gunk with repeated use.
Additionally, salt has an antimicrobial property to make the local environment an unwelcome place to these toxic invaders. The result is less swelling and with regular use, fewer sinus infections.
In summary, making a habit of neti pot use is your best way to clear your sinuses and keep them clear. Most of us are already busy enough, but in reality it takes less than two minutes to set up, use, and clean, so it’s really a matter of trying it a few times until it becomes a healthy habit.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
salt – 1/8 teaspoon
baking soda – 1/8 teaspoon
warm tap water – 6 – 8 oz.
neti pot
1 facial tissue
Watch this video to see how to use the neti pot:
When in the throes of an infection and/or headache do this twice a day. We’ve modified the salt with baking soda because it’s less abrasive with everyday use.
If you can be consistent for three months, you will find it easier to breath through your nose, have fewer sinus headaches and infections, and are less congested in general. If and when you do experience sinus discomfort, it will be less intense and resolve more quickly.
We came from the island of Manhattan, where most everyone, including us, has stuffed sinuses. Colorado has the opposite impact since it’s dry here, but the outcome is the same. People more susceptible to seasonal allergies tend to develop sinus problems.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs work wonders on alleviating tough cases where western medicine doesn’t have a solution. Recent research features the immune-building aspect of acupuncture for allergic rhinitis and its effectiveness for these patients.
Last but not least, though nasopharyngeal cancers are rare, this research study caught my eye. It basically outlines an increase in cases and the underlying reason is repeated activity and inflammation makes the area vulnerable to malignant change. Reading this was a personal motivator to say the least!
We have successfully treated many cases of chronic sinus problems and seasonal allergies and can claim expertise in this area – after all, we come from a place surrounded by water!
Mountaintop Acupuncture
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