Pressure within the sinuses occurs when the nasal membrane lining becomes inflamed or swollen. Examples of causes of sinus pressure include sinusitis, environmental irritants, and mucus accumulation from illnesses such as allergies and the common cold.
The sinuses are very small, hollow spaces located within the head. Sinus issues can be very uncomfortable. Pressure is often experienced in the forehead, around the eyes, in the cheeks, and may even be felt in the teeth.
Why Do I Get Sinus Pressure?
Sinus pressure is a direct result of blocked nasal passages. When the sinus cavity fails to drain properly, inflammation and pain typically develop. Most individuals experience this pressure due to allergies and colds.
Where Are the Sinus Cavities?
Each sinus cavity is a hollow space filled with air. They are located behind the eyebrows in the forehead, inside the bony structures of the cheek area, right in front of the brain, behind where the nose is located, and on each side of the bridge of the nose.
Is it Possible to Have Sinus Pressure and No Congestion?
Yes, it is possible to experience pressure in the sinus cavity without any congestion. This is most common among people who have had sinus issues or allergies in the past.
How Long Does Sinus Pressure Last?
The duration of sinus pressure depends on the underlying cause. For example, if you experience sinusitis, you could experience symptoms for up to a month. If you have allergies, it could last for several weeks. If it stems from a common cold, the pressure usually lasts about 2 weeks.
Why Do I Feel Weird When I Have Sinus Pressure?
If you experience sinus pressure from allergies, mast cells (or histamines) can cause a foggy feeling. These cells are known to negatively affect a person’s cognitive clarity.
Furthermore, the air you are taking in is not properly filtered by the body, resulting in compromised breathing. This, in turn, causes the body to experience a lack of oxygen.
Additionally, any lack of sleep you may be experiencing, any infection in which you are suffering, and the medications that you take for your symptoms may all result in a mysterious type of brain fog.
What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. There is acute sinusitis, which is temporary and resolves within 3–8 weeks. Then, there is chronic sinusitis, which lasts longer than 8 weeks or occurs more than 3 months at various times throughout the year.
This requires treatment.
Many medical doctors consider sinusitis an infection.
It has been established that sinusitis is one of the most common medical issues and currently impacts the lives of approximately 31 million people in the United States alone.
What Causes Chronic Sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis is most commonly a direct result of a bacterial-based infection. In some instances, viruses and fungi may cause the disease. If you have a weakened immune system, you are more likely to experience consistent bouts of sinusitis.
The inflammation that occurs with this medical condition may cause the following to occur among sufferers:
- Many will experience increased fluid production in the sinus cavities, which can lead to greater swelling.
- The sinuses will not be able to drain the excess fluid, leading to congestion in the nasal cavities.
- When drainage is reduced or stopped, pressure may build in the sinus cavities, leading to a sinus headache. These can be pretty severe.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Sinusitis?
There are numerous reasons why sinusitis may develop; however, the following outlines the most common causes of the medical condition:
- Allergies to pollen, chemicals, and other substances are known to cause sinusitis.
- Hay fever is a common cause of inflammation of the nasal passages.
- Infections located within the nose, the windpipe, and/or the lungs due to bacteria or viruses is a common culprit of sinusitis.
- Tissue growths (polyps) that grow inside the nose make it very difficult to breathe from the nose due to the fact that they block the sinuses.
- If there is an uneven wall of tissue between the nostrils (deviated septum), the flow of air may be limited and result in the development of sinusitis.
Is Sinusitis a Permanent Condition?
It is possible for sinusitis to develop into permanent chronic sinusitis. It all depends on the underlying cause of the condition. If you have chronic sinusitis, there are many treatments that may be effective. These include decongestants, oral corticosteroids, antibiotics, physical therapy, and more!
What Are the Best Treatments for Sinus Pressure?
Once the underlying cause of the sinus pressure you are experiencing has been determined, the following treatments may prove to be very helpful in overcoming the symptoms and possibly even the condition as a whole:
- Intranasal Corticosteroids
- Oral Corticosteroids
- Saline Irrigation
- Physical Therapy
- Decongestants
- Antibiotics
- Immunotherapy
- Balloon Sinuplasty
- Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
- Warm Compresses
- Increased Fluid Intake
- Neti Pot
- Allergy Medications
- Moist Air Exposure
How Does Physical Therapy Help with Sinus Pressure?
There are several strategies physical therapists use to help people with sinus pressure. The following outlines these techniques:
- Suboccipital Release – This is a release that is performed of the head in the area of the base of the neck. This helps stretch the body from the head to the tailbone. It helps redistribute sinus cavity fluid throughout the rest of the body. It is not a painful procedure. In fact, many claim that having this procedure performed not only helps open the sinuses and alleviate pressure but also reduces pain and pressure in other areas of the body.
- Neck Muscle Stretches – When the physical therapist stretches the neck muscles, it increases circulation to all tissues and actually relaxes the neck. This is very helpful if you have neck pain too. The increased circulation provides additional nutrients to the glands associated with the swollen, irritated sinuses. In addition to the stretches, the physical therapist may have the sufferer perform other exercises known to be beneficial for the neck and upper back.
- Sinus Release – This physical therapy technique uses taps and/or strokes directly on the sinus cavities located in the forehead. Not only does this help alleviate pressure, it helps in the drainage of any fluids within the sinuses. It uses a bit of pressure, but it is necessary to initiate draining fluid from the sinus cavities throughout the face, forehead, and cheek area.
- Electrical Stimulation – Physical therapists can use a special machine called an “accelerated recovery performance machine” to provide electrical stimulation to the sinuses. This encourages the cavities to open, helping drain the fluid contained therein. Many prefer this because it relieves congestion and makes breathing easier. This is not a painful procedure. It may result in a little tingling, but nothing compared to the pressure in the sinuses.
- Kinesio Tape – This specially designed tape is typically applied to the back of the neck. It works by reducing inflammation and alleviating pain in the area of placement. Many physical therapists may elect to use small pieces on the forehead and/or around the bridge of the nose. It all depends on the patient’s comfort level.
- There are many different exercises and stretches that a physical therapist may help you with to optimize your posture, reduce muscle tension, and improve the overall mobility of your jaw – all of which can assist in opening your sinuses and helping you breathe more comfortably.
We here at Back to Motion Physical Therapy offer many tools, services, and programs that have proven highly effective for individuals who suffer from sinus pressure.
Our goal is to address the soft tissues that are causing your pain and discomfort.
We will also evaluate other areas of your body that could have a detrimental effect, such as the neck, upper back, and circulation. We specialize in manual therapy, massage, dry needling, posture retaining exercises, and more.
The services we offer include balance training, vestibular therapy, Smart Fit, the antigravity treadmill, and more! Regardless of your needs, we can assist you! We offer a one-stop shop for all of your health care needs. Our therapists have extensive training in all aspects of the body. If you would like to learn more or want to set up an appointment, contact us today.