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Mechanical Remedies for Nasal Congestion
by Stephannie Hibbard
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Overview
When allergies, colds or the flu causes sinus buildup that leads to headaches and earaches, people turn to a variety of remedies to help drain the buildup and provide relief. In addition to medication, there are a variety of ways to unclog your sinuses.
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About Mechanical Remedies
Mechanical remedies are those in which an action is performed to provide relief from a health condition instead of taking medications. Mechanical remedies for sinus issues include cleaning the sinuses out with a spray or neti pot and percussive facial massage to break up sinus buildup.
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Salt Water
Drugstores carry a variety of sinus-clearing sprays. Many are composed simply of saline, or salt water. Clearing the sinuses with these sprays involves spraying the saline into the nose and sinus cavities and allowing the spray and sinus buildup to drain. The salt in the saline solution helps to dissolve thickened mucus so that it can drain freely. Whatever spray you choose, follow the instructions on the package carefully to avoid any potential injury to delicate nasal passages.
Another salt-water cleaning method for sinuses involves the use of a neti pot. A neti pot is a small ceramic pot with a handle and spout; most resemble small teapots. To use a neti pot, make a solution of 1/4 tsp. salt and 8 oz. warm water. Tilt your head to the side so that water poured from the spout will go up into your nose and sinuses. Slowly pour the warm water up one nostril while allowing the salt water to drain out of the other nostril.
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Massage
Massage refers to gently tapping, rubbing, or stroking a specific area of the body to provide relief from pain or congestion. Light massage can encourage blocked sinuses to drain by breaking up mucus clogs. To determine which areas of the face will benefit most from percussive massage, press gently on the browbones, cheekbones and the bridge of the nose. Areas that feel tender when pressed are most likely to be areas in which the sinuses are full and clogged.
Once you have located the areas in which the sinuses are clogged, tap gently on the tender places using the index and middle finger together. Once you feel the pressure begin to shift in your sinuses, press and rub gently on the same areas to encourage drainage. If the clogged areas are in the sinuses behind the brow bones, you may need work downward, continuing to tap and then press on the cheekbones and nose area to prevent the drainage from clogging those areas after it moves out of the brow sinuses.
