Clinical Information For the Treatment Of Sinusitis
What Is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis - Basics
Sinusitis is the term used to describe the chronic inflammation of the sinuses. In some instances, this can occur with an acute sinus infection, which produces symptoms such as congestion, nasal drainage, headache and stuffy nose. Below you will find alternative and natural treatment options including those from a Chinese Medicine perspective for Sinusitis.
What Patterns Are Related To Sinusitis?
Sinusitis - Diagnostic Patterns
The Chinese Medicine treatment of sinusitis generally involves arriving at the appropriate TCM diagnosis or pattern. This pattern within the individual is what treatment is based on not the general condition (see treating the cause and not the symptoms).
The following patterns may represent the underlying contributing factors for the development of sinusitis:
Lung Wind Invasion - Wind ColdLung Wind Invasion - Wind HeatSpleen Qi DeficiencySpleen and Stomach Damp HeatWhich Acupuncture Point Protocols May Be Applied For Sinusitis?
Sinusitis - Acupuncture Protocols
The treatment of conditions with acupuncture can be a complicated endeavor that should only be undertaken by individuals with a deep understanding of the underlying Chinese Medicine theory (and/or whatever system being used for treatment). There are many approaches, but generally speaking few viable approaches are involved on a point to condition basis. Rather using proper diagnostic procedures the patients diagnostic pattern is ascertained and that is what is treated. The protocols listed here exemplify some of these clinical approaches.
The following acupuncture treatment protocols may be used with sinusitis:
Which Tam Healing and Tongren Therapy Protocols Apply To Sinusitis?
Sinusitis - Tam Healing and Tongren Therapy Protocols
Tong Ren Therapy is the energy healing/medical qi gong aspect of the Tam Healing System. The areas of focus for sinusitis that we would use in Tong Ren techniques form the basis for our acupuncture treatments as well. Generally you would mix these primary points with points specific to the patients underlying TCM pattern and then our tuina (medical massage) would be largely focused on these points as well.
The following Tam healing and tong ren therapy protocols may be used with sinusitis:
6 Points Are Empirically Important For Sinusitis
2 TCM Herbs Are Potentially Used With Sinusitis
The Following (6)Formulas TCM Herbal Formulas May Be Useful For Sinusitis
Bi Yan Wan (Nose Inflammation Tablets)
Clinical Usages
- For acute or chronic rhinitis resulting from the combination of lung qi deficiency and phlegm accumulation.
- Runny nose, sneezing, congestion due to phlegm.
- Can be used to treat for general cold or flu symptoms due to phlegm and wind.
Clinical Categorization
Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan (Ligusticum Tea Pills)
Clinical Usages
- Headaches, primarily from wind-cold (but used with wind-heat/wind-damp), with neck stiffness, muscle aches and/or nasal discharge.
- In certain cases may be useful for migraines, frequent headaches - particularly when they are influenced by cold weather and/or changing from warm to cold environments.
- Rhinitis, sinusitis.
Clinical Categorization
Cautions
- Use only with direction during pregnancy.
- Avoid in cases of headache from liver yang rising or deficiencies of qi and/or blood.
Jing Fang Bai Du Wan (Schizonepeta and Siler Powder to Overcome Pathogenic Influences)
Clinical Usages
- Early stages of disease arising from wind cold damp - common cold, flu, bronchitis, mumps.
- Early stages of skin diseases - boils, carbuncles, eczema, dermatitis with the right underlying factors.
- Mastitis arising from cold/damp.
Clinical Categorization
Cautions
- Avoid with issues arising from wind-heat, possibly yin qiao would be far more suitable.
Qing Bi Wan (Clear The Nose Decoction)
Clinical Usages
- Sinus issues arising from damp-heat pattern in Chinese Medicine - yellow and sticky discharge, sinusitis, rhinitis acute or chronic.
- Sinus headache, decreased olfactory sense.
Clinical Categorization
Xin Yi Qing Fei Wan (Magnolia Flower Drink To Clear The Lungs)
Clinical Usages
- Colds and/or allergies with heat signs (yellow mucus and/or fever, etc.).
- Chronic sinus congestions / issues, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, loss of smell.
- Nasal polyps with the right underlying factors.
- Difficult to resolve sinus issues with thick, sticky mucus.
- Headaches from sinus congestion.
Clinical Categorization
Cautions
- May not be appropriate with heat signs from lung yin deficiency.
Xin Yi Wan (Magnolia Flower Powder)
Clinical Usages
- Colds and/or allergies with cold signs (white mucus and/or no fever, etc.).
- Chronic sinus congestions / issues, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, loss of smell.
- Headaches from sinus congestion.
Clinical Categorization
Cautions
- Avoid in patients with heat signs.
Where Do I Go Next?
Recent Questions From Our Forum...
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