Reflexology & Sinus Congestion

The International Academy of Medical Reflexology states there are over 7,200 nerve endings in the hand and foot. Reflexologists believe these points provide pressure-induced stimulation to other body organs and allow the body to release healing energy that may have ebbed from stress or other medical problems. Reflexology charts show that stimulating the fourth and fifth toes, located on the outside of the foot, will lead to sinus healing.

History

Traditional Chinese medicine has used reflexology for many ages and ancient hieroglyphs from Egypt indicate its presence for over 4,000 years. Its popularity and use increased in 1915 when Dr. William H. Fitzgerald numbed pain by pushing on pressure points. Eunice Ingham ran with these ideas and created a massage program in the 1930s that became the precursor for modern day reflexology.

Process

The process involved in a reflexology session begins with getting the patient into a relaxed state. The foot and ankle joints need to be worked to provide an unblocked flow of energy. If you are experiencing sinus congestion, consider if both sides of your sinus cavity are congested or it is only on a particular side. If both are blocked, a sinus congestion massage of the toes on each foot are needed. If blockage is on one side only, you can have the toes on the same side of your body massaged to provide relief.

Benefits

Relieving problems such as sinus congestion through massage has been studied to see if it really can provide relief of the symptoms. A study published in Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery stated that daily reflexology therapy was shown to work just as well as nasal irrigation with a bulb syringe or nasal irrigation with a nasal irrigation pot. Regardless of the method used, improvements in symptoms were seen in 70 percent of chronic sinusitis patients. This allowed one-third of the patients to decrease medication they may have been taking and shows that reflexology for sinus problems can help.

Training

Training is required for individuals who want to pursue a professional career in reflexology. If you are interested in being an amateur or simply want to learn for your own knowledge, the University of New Hampshire Health Services claims that anyone can do it by viewing charts and techniques that are available online. For sinus pressure relief, press down on the fourth and fifth toe and apply upward pressure.

Considerations

Although reflexology treatments work to help relieve sinus congestion, care should be taken to assure that your symptoms do not require other treatment other than a sinus foot massage. Sinus congestion can be caused by bacterial infections. If this is the case, a physician would need to provide you with antibiotics to kill the bacteria.