Common Causes:

• Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

  Viral Upper Respiratory Infections which cause swelling of the membranes that block the normal drainage mechanism of the sinuses.

  Smoking

  Swimming

  Diving and

  Dental Infections

Treatments

• Treatment options for rhinosinusitis include analgesics, topical decongestants, intranasal corticosteroids, oral antibiotics, and antihistamines. In severe or recurrent cases, surgical procedures may be necessary. Managing CRS can be complex and often requires prolonged antibiotic therapy.  

  In addition to the challenges of long-term medication use, the ongoing use and rise of drug-resistant bacterial strains have led researchers to explore alternative therapies.

Symptoms:

• 

  Heaviness and pressure feeling in the face

  Nasal blockage

  Pressure changes with head movement

  Headache

  Swelling around eyes, cheeks, nose and forehead

  Possible pain around jaw and the TMJ (temporomandibular joint)

  Loss of the senses of smell and taste

  Coloured mucus

  Running Nose and Coughing

  Feeling Unwell and Run down

How Physio Can Help in Sinusitis?

• Physiotherapy offers a non-invasive treatment approach. While scientific evidence on the effects of physiotherapy for sinusitis remains limited, therapeutic exercises may help alleviate some sinusitis symptoms. Here are several physiotherapy techniques that may benefit those with sinusitis.

  Physiotherapy can aid sinus drainage using several techniques, such as pulsed ultrasound therapy, manual sinus drainage, and self-sinus massage. When combined with conventional medical treatment, these methods have shown to be more effective in improving quality of life and increasing pain pressure thresholds in CRS patients than medical treatment alone.

  Nebulisation: A physiotherapist may use a humidifying spray, steam inhalation, or nebulizers to help loosen thick mucus, making it easier to expel.

  Manual massage:

  Massaging the frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, and ethmoidal regions can stimulate mucus secretion and promote drainage. Additionally, this technique relieves pressure and facilitates sinus flushing. Applying firm yet gentle pressure can raise the local temperature, further enhancing blood flow to the area.

  Bronchial Hygiene Technique:

  The physiotherapist may improve your breathing patterns by recommending specific exercises and airway clearance techniques, such as coughing and huffing, to help keep your bronchial passages and airways clear. Additionally, your physiotherapist can teach you techniques you can use at home for immediate relief from a stuffy nose.

  Therapeutic Ultrasound:

   Ultrasound is one of the treatment modalities that is proposed for CRS. It is commonly used in physiotherapy to promote tissue repair, relieve muscle and joint pain, and reduce inflammation, but it has only recently been used in the treatment of Rhinosinusitis. The cheek is the most common location for ultrasound application, based on the understanding that the maxillary sinuses appear to be the most common site for Rhinosinusitis. Therapeutic ultrasound was applied at a low intensity (0.5 to 1 W/cm²) Ultrasound applicator is moved over the facial skin overlying the affected sinuses (e.g. Maxillary and Frontal Sinuses) for Short Durations.

  Deep Dry Needling:

   Unlike acupuncture, Deep Dry Needling involves inserting a very fine needle into the taut bands or knots in the affected muscles. This technique elicits a localized "twitch" response in the muscle, which has been shown to reduce muscle tension. When performed by a qualified physiotherapist, the targeted release of these muscle groups can significantly alleviate nasal, jaw, and facial pain, as well as the sensation of sinus blockage in many cases.

  To build a career in Physiotherapy contact AIPH University(https://aiph.ac.in/)