Can chiropractic care help with sinus headaches?

Sinus headaches refer to pain in the head, typically in and around the face. As chiropractors, many patients ask us about these problems, as all of us have suffered from a stuffy nose due to a cold and have felt this pain in our face and head. Those of us who have suffered from sinus infections really know how painful sinusitis can get!

There are four pairs of sinuses in our head. Maxillary sinuses can cause pain or pressure in the cheekbones or the teeth and drain sideways (when we lie on our sides). Frontal sinuses can cause pain or pressure in the forehead and drain downward (when we look straight ahead). Ethmoidal sinuses can cause pain or pressure between and/or behind the eyes and drain when we lean forwards. Sphenoidal sinuses can cause pain or pressure behind the eyes, or on the top or back of the head and/or back of the head, which can be extreme. These drain best when lying face pointing down towards the floor, but it can be a stubborn process!

Sinusitis, or rhinosinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinus lining (mucous membrane) and can be classified as acute, recurrent acute, sub acute, chronic and acute exacerbation of chronic.

Sinusitis can be caused by an upper respiratory tract infection— most often in the form of a virus such as rhinovirus, better known as the common cold. Bacteria can also cause a sinus infection. These infections tend to last longer and can follow a viral infection. A third cause is a fungal infection, which are more common in diabetic and other immune deficient patients. Chemical irritants such as cigarette smoke and chlorine fumes can also trigger sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis can be caused by anything that irritates the sinuses for more than 12 weeks (viruses, bacteria, environmental irritants, tooth infections, etc.). Allergies are also a common cause of sinusitis whether they are environmental and/or food or chemical induced.

Chiropractic care for sinusitis includes primarily symptomatic care with sinus drainage techniques such as facial and cranial bone manipulation, lymphatic pump and drainage techniques, instruction in nutritional counseling, anti-inflammatory herbs and vitamins, cervical and mid-back manipulation, training in nasal saline rinsing, and moist heat. Co-management with your primary care doc may be needed at times, if medications are warranted.