How To Drain Sinuses With A Massage According To Experts

A lot of people ask me how to drain sinuses with a massage. They just can’t deal with the constant stuffiness, pressure, and nasal discharge. I get it. I’ve been there. I started having sinus problems since I was nine years old.

At first, it started off with regular nasal discharge and puffiness. But, the older I got, the more my problems started to magnify. The occasional membrane inflammation turned into chronic sinusitis, and the constant runny nose was a pain to deal with.

That’s until I learned how to do a massage for sinus inflammation. Now, the whole sinus issues are more bearable. Plus, I can breathe through my nose – which is something I couldn’t even think of back in middle school.

If you want to learn the tricks to a facial massage for sinus problems, you’ve come to the right place. I decided to share all my knowledge and personal experience with you so that you’ll have a much easier time dealing with your sinuses.

How Does Massage Help Sinus Pressure?

Before I can get to the good part, it’s important to start with the basics. You see, sinus problems are a pretty big deal. The CDC stated in 2018 that 28.9 million American adults were diagnosed with sinusitis. That’s a huge chunk of the U.S. population.

We all know that the sinuses are a small network of cavities located in the skull. They are just behind the forehead and cheekbones. Inside this nasal cavity are tissues responsible for producing all the mucus.

When these tissues fill up with fluid, they become inflamed or swollen. The inflammation makes it difficult for the cavities to drain properly. This results in plenty of mucus stacking up in the nose. This is what we call nasal congestion.

Sinus inflammation is the one that results in nasal congestion. When we are exposed to viral infections, irritants, or allergens, that’s when we trigger nasal congestion.

A massage for sinuses can help with the pain by getting rid of all that pressure that’s build up in the cavities. By relying on gentle movements, warmth, and pressure, you can speed up the circulation and help the mucus flow.

Does It Work?

It’s normal to feel skeptical. After all, relying on a simple sinus massage to relieve the constant pain and pressure does seem a little “too easy.” But, let me assure you, by draining all the mucus inside, you will be doing your sinuses a favor.

I did the research, and I found a bunch of different studies that support the effects of facial massage for sinus problems.

According to one study, practicing massage therapy regularly can reduce the impact of sinus-induced headaches. The therapy was shown to be effective in 35 women, all dealing with constant and debilitating headaches from their sinuses.

A different study supported the same results. But, this time, researchers evaluated the effects of facial massage on male athletes. All the participants experienced chronic sinusitis. With a regular facial therapeutic massage, they managed to decrease the congestion and improve their tenderness. The results were a lot more beneficial for the group that received the massage compared to the one that didn’t.

Can I Massage While Sick With Flu?

A massage is meant to relieve any tension and boost the immune system. But, when the body is already having trouble with an infection or a virus (often due to the flu or cold), it is not a good idea to get a massage. The pressure you apply can feel incredibly heavy and make you dizzy. This is not something you need when you are sick.

If you really need a massage while sick, try acupuncture. A lot of people wonder can acupuncture help sinus pressure? The truth is, many rely on acupuncture for blocked sinuses. Plus, it can relieve the symptoms of the flu, like headaches, fever, chills, cough, or sore throat.

But, most importantly, it can help get your runny nose in check and soothe the congestion. These are all benefits that can come in handy when dealing with sinus problems.

How to Drain Sinuses With A Massage?

There are multiple massage techniques for you to try. These techniques work their way to the nasal passageway and promote healthy circulation. All you have to do is apply pressure to specific spots of the face and gently massage the area for a couple of minutes.

Since the body has four pairs of sinuses, you will need to work with each one. You can focus on one at a time, multiple, or all the pairs that give you problems. Here is how to drain sinuses with a massage.

1.   General Massage

If you want to massage all pairs of sinuses, you will need the general massaging technique. It will relieve the congestion and get rid of all that pressure. Follow the steps below, and you will get the results you are hoping for.

·         Step 1: Warm the Hands

Rub the fingers and hands together to provide the sinuses with a comfortable massage. If your hands are too cold, it will create muscle tension, and you will have a hard time relaxing the tissues.

If the hands are too dry, feel free to use some oil. Add a drop or two and rub it in your hands. That fragrance can calm the mind and promote practical sinus relaxation. You can use any oils you like, but some of the more popular ones are castor, baby, and almond oil.

Note: Don’t add any oil to the eyes. Avoid touching the eyes when you massage the sinuses.

·         Step 2: Pinpoint the Indentation in the Eye Socket

The spot where the nose bridge meets the eyebrows is what we call the indentation of the eye socket. There are two spots just under the eyebrow, where the brow meets the bridge and a spot on the bridge between the eyebrows. Then, there are two more on each side of the nose next to the nostrils. They are easy to locate right on the cheeks. You will use these spots to start the massage.

·         Step 3: Start With the Massage

Close your eyes to avoid hurting the eye socket. Use the index finger (or whichever finger you prefer) to apply direct pressure on the indentation spots. Hold the fingers on the area for 1 min. Don’t apply extreme pressure. Instead, use a firm and pleasant force that will feel comfortable.

When you are done pressing, start with circular motions. Massage the spot for 2 min.

·         Step 4: Work With the Cheeks

Move the hand towards the cheeks to start massaging the spots right next to the nostrils. Now, instead of one finger, use two on each spot. Use the middle and index finger to apply pressure on the spots. This is a technique that can work with sinus pain and congestion. Apply pressure for 1 min and massage the area for 2 min.

Note: Stop the massage if you start feeling any discomfort or pain. It’s possible for the pressure to feel somewhat intense. If you apply too much pressure, it can aggravate the pain. So, make sure you are gentle and avoid hurting the sinuses.

2.   Frontal Sinus Massage

For those who want to focus on specific sinuses, it’s crucial to use the right pressuring techniques. Certain spots in the human body are linked with the frontal sinuses. You will need to find them to be able to massage the sinuses.

First off, start by rubbing the hands once again. Get the fingers nice and warm before you start with the massage. Now, focus on the forehead. There are two spots right above each eyebrow, on the center of the forehead.

Place two fingers on each spot and apply firm pressure. Then, run the fingers in a circular motion out towards the temples and massage the area. Do the same technique ten times. The heat and pressure will work their way to your sinuses and relieve all that congestion. The sinus infection after a massage can disappear.

3.   Sphenoid or Ethmoid Sinus Massage

To work with the air cavity, you will need to locate the sphenoid sinus. It’s positioned inside the body of the sphenoid bone. But, to really get that congestion going, you will also need the ethmoid sinus. It’s a paranasal sinus located on the upper area of the nose right between the eyes.

Warm the hands and apply some oil. Then, with the middle finger, massage the nose along the side of the bridge. Move the fingers downwards to boost healthy drainage. Continue massaging the nose upwards all the way to the bridge. When you reach the top of the bridge, do a small circle and massage the corner of the eyes.

But don’t touch the eyes. Simply move along the nose bridge to massage the sinuses. Repeat the same technique around ten times.

4.   Maxillary Sinus Massage

Here, I will show you how to drain maxillary sinus massage. This massage uses the same spots as the general massage.

The maxillary sinuses are located on the cheeks right next to the nostrils. To start, warm the hands, as you would with any sinus massage, and apply firm pressure on the outer corner of the nostrils.

Once you locate the spots, start massaging the area clock-wise. Move along the cheekbones and toward the ear in a circular motion. Use the technique ten times or as long as you need it.

5.   Nose Rub Massage

This is a great option for managing all that stuffiness and congestion. All you need to do is rub some oil on the hands. Then, instead of using fingers, use the inside of the palm and position it on the tip of the nose. Then, start massaging the nose in a circular motion for around 15-20 times.

After you’ve reached the 20-times mark, change the direction and rub the nose the other way around for another 15-20 times.

6.   Under-Eye Massage

Although it may not look like it, the under-eyes are directly connected to the sinuses. By massaging this area, you promote hefty drainage. To try the technique, apply oil on the hands and rub the fingers together to warm them up.

Then, position the tip of the thumbs on the side of the nasal bridge, and move them under the eyes towards the ears. The firm pressure should feel like a gentle movement under the eyes. Keep repeating the technique a few times or until you start to feel some relief.

If you want to boost the effects of the massage, work with the jaw as well. Position the thumbs right under the jaw, and work your way towards the collarbones. This will get the congestion moving and relieve some of the pressure.

Conclusion

I know you’ve tried a bunch of different remedies to treat sinus problems. But, in my experience, nothing works better than a regular self-massage. Massaging the sinuses is an excellent way to soothe the pain, relieve the congestion, and deal with the pressure – at least for me. You might want to try the techniques a couple of times in a row to get some amazing results.

But, do have in mind that the sinus issues will come back time and time again. So, you will need to do the massages as much as possible. Without regular massaging, it’s hard to get the effects you are hoping for.

Of course, if you have some severe issues, like extreme pain and discomfort, it’s better to talk to your doctor. These massages are meant to provide you relief. But, sometimes, medical treatment is necessary.

Have you tried these massages before? I would love to hear what you think. Share your experience in the comments below.

Related Reading

• Besides The LU-9 Acupuncture Point, You Can Also Massage These Points To Relieve Cough, Phlegm, And Nasal Congestion

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