Relieve Sinus Pressure Naturally

I know that feeling as soon as it starts: the pounding headache, the throbbing behind my eyes, and the unmistakable pressure across my cheekbones. My sinuses were inflamed. Again. There are several main causes of sinus pressure. It could be due to an infection, a cold or the flu, or from allergies. In all cases, the culprit for the sinus pressure is the swelling of sinus tissue which results in accumulated mucus being trapped in the sinus cavities.

After years of chronic sinus infections, I have tried nearly all of the products on the market to find relief. The sprays and inhalers only gave me temporary relief and in some cases, made the pressure worse. Then, one of my doctors recommended trying a Neti pot with a saline solution.

The idea behind using the Neti pot and saline solution is that it irrigates the nasal passages and sinuses, cleaning out the accumulated pollens, dust, and other irritants, as well as excess mucus that could eventually block the sinus passages. The warm saline solution is generally the same concentration and temperature as your own tears, making very comfortable and it works to relieve the sinus pressure without medications.

Using the Neti pot is easy to do and only requires minimal preparation. First the saline solution is made by dissolving of one heaping ¼ teaspoon of non-iodized salt in 8 oz. of warm water. Do not use cold water because it is not soothing and do not use water that is too hot as it could damage your sinus tissues (and it will hurt!). Choose a Neti pot that has a tapered end so that it will fit comfortably in your nostrils. Tilting your head to one side, insert the spout of the Neti pot into the raised nostril and raise the pot slowly to create a steady stream of the saline solution from one nostril to the other. Breathe through your mouth and remember to relax. When you are done, blow through your nose several times to clear the excess solution and debris. Then you tilt your head to the other side and do the other nostril.

It took me a couple of tries before I got the hang of the technique, but once I was able to relax, I was very happy about the experience. Eventually, I incorporated the process into my daily routine and it only takes a couple of minutes each day. The reward has been relief from chronic sinus pressure.