Have you spotted the cold and flu remedies by the tills at the supermarket yet? Flu season is upon us, and with that comes sinusitis. If you’re prone to sinus infections, you know what hell they can be. Pressure in your face, your eyes feeling like they’re about to burst from their sockets… As a frequent sufferer myself, I’ve found a few loopholes over the years. Here are my top 3 hacks for soothing sinus pain.
- Steam Baby
This is my go-to when my sinuses feel like they might start flaring up. Hot shower, and steam it out. Even better, scrape vapour rub into an ice cube tray and freeze overnight. Pop one of the cubes into the base of the shower to give the steam a menthol edge.
- Wash It Out
This is nobody’s favourite, but it does work on stubborn stuffiness. Saline nasal washes are unpleasant in practice, but go a long way to clear any blockages from the sinus at home.
- Facial Drainage
I’m a massive advocate for facial massage every day. As you wash your face, it’s really good to massage your face muscles to promote good circulation, reduce tension, (and in theory prevent wrinkles!) But it’s even better to do when your sinuses are inflamed and sore.
Massaging the face promotes good fluid drainage and encourages your immune system to batter up and fight off infection from the area.
If all else fails, you can book in to see an Osteopath, who will professionally massage and drain your face. Sinus release techniques are among my favourite to help patients with stuffy heads; you’d be surprised what a bit of professional nose, jaw and neck waggling can do!
