It is the time of year when Mother Nature can’t make up her mind about the weather. I live in Michigan. You may have seen the meme about Michigan dishing up three seasons in one day. It’s no joke, and the temperature changes wreak havoc on my sinuses. I’m extremely sensitive to mold and temperature fluctuations and certain foods can trigger an episode of stuffiness pretty quickly.
Facial reflexology has help me keep my sinuses open and reduce sinus headaches, so I wanted to share how I use them. As I mention in this week’s video, facial reflexology pairs nicely with essential oils that you can apply to your hands and breathe in, or place a few drops in bowl of hot water and use to scent steam to breathe in. Either way, the light feather like passes with your hands are soothing and stimulate the sinuses to open and drain, reducing pressure and helping you feel better fast.
When we inhale the smell of essential oils, smell receptors in the mucous membrane of the nose send impulses to the olfactory nerve and then directly to the brain which responds depending on the properties of the essential oil. Peppermint and eucalyptus, essential oils have both been shown to open up sinus passages and provide other therapeutic benefits as well.
Watch the video for an explanation of how and where to apply light, slow strokes to help open sinus passages.
About the Author: Deb Timmerman, RN, DAIS, CSME, HMCT is the Chief Resilience Officer of Deb Timmerman and Associates, a firm helping people prepare for, recover from, and adapt in the face of stress, challenge, or adversity. She specializes in burnout prevention and recovery and rapid stress relief. She holds multiple certifications in complementary therapies and is certified in face and ear reflexology.
This blog is intended for general education. While ear reflexology may provide benefits, it is not a substitute for conventional medical treatment. If you have a medical or mental health condition you should consult a medical professional.