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A) Characteristics of sinusitis:

  1. Sinusitis is an inflammation of mucous membrane of sinuses (air spaces in bones around nose) that fill sinus cavities with pus and mucus. It is caused by bacteria or viral infection.
  2. It occurs when a viral infection closes or partially closes nasal cavity, resulting in an inability to drain and an infection by bacteria already in sinuses. Frontal sinuses in forehead just above eyes and maxillary sinuses which are behind cheek bones are commonly infected. It is more common in people suffering with allergic or other types of rhinitis or by jumping in water feet first without holding noses. Particularly smokers get it every time they have cold.
  3. After first few days of cold, blockage in nose may get worse and greenish discharge may increase. Later, because passages between nose and sinuses also become blocked, discharge may stop, leaving you more stuffed up than ever. You have to breathe through your mouth, speech becomes nasal, you may have bad breath and you feel generally ill.
  4. If frontal sinuses are affected, you may have headache over or both eyes and is worse when you wake up in morning, or when you bend your head forward. The under surface of your forehead just above eyes may feel tender.
  5. If maxillary sinuses are affected, one or both of your cheeks may hurt. You may feel as if you have toothache in your upper jaw. Occasionally sinusitis may follow dental treatment.
  6. If ethmoid sinuses are involved, your lower eyelid may be swollen, especially when you wake up in morning.
  7. X-ray/ CT scan of skull is useful to diagnose the condition.

B) Aims of massage:

  1. To increase the discharge of mucus through nose.
  2. To liquefy mucus due to hot nature of oil.
  3. To lubricate the dried passage between nose and sinuses due to unctuous nature of oil.

C) Process of massage:

  1. Body area to be massaged:
    Facial massage over sinuses involved. Massage over head is also advisable as it will increase sense of warmth in head region.
  2. Direction of massage movements:
    • Massage movements over head and face should be circular. Massage over nose should be in a vertical direction.
    • Individual sinus spaces should be massaged with the help of fingers.
  3. Useful massage tips:
    • Oil should be warm at time of massage to reduce the effect of cold and also blockage in nose.
    • More amount of oil should be used in chronic cases as mucus gets dried and severely choked up.
    • If patient is able to bear pain, more amount of pressure should be applied to help clear blockage. Also friction should be used more over head and sinus spaces.
    • Space on individual sinuses should be rubbed with help of thumb and use of more pressure or friction.
    • In chronic conditions, regular massage should be given for longer durations.
    • Local fomentation or inhalation of steam after massage is very much useful. Also post massage, nasal drops of medicated oil help to reduce blockage.
    • After the process of massage strictly avoid contact with cold air and cold food. Add moisture to air with a vaporizer or humidifier.

D) Use of different oils for massage:

  1. Oils that are strong and hot in nature should be used so that it will liquefy dried mucus and clear blockage. Oil cold in nature like coconut oil should be strictly avoided.
  2. Depending upon severity, use of sesame oil, mustard oil, olive oil etc is recommended.
  3. Herbal drugs like vitex negundo, Celastrous pandanus, Acorus calamus etc should be added to sesame oil used as base during preparation of medicated oil as per advice of expert physician.