Without fail, during the spring and fall I have more patients come in with complaints of sinus and allergy issues. Some of them aren’t aware that chiropractic adjustments or dry needling can relieve the pain and pressure of sinus congestion or infections.Your sinuses consist of eight hollow spaces in the bones of the forehead, cheeks and temples. Healthy, open sinuses are lined with sticky mucus to ensure that air going into the lungs is moist, warm and free from dust, dirt, and pollutants. Sinus infections or sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of those hollow spaces in the bones of the face. It is one of the most common health care complaints in North America, and especially our region of the country, affecting nearly 50 million people per year. Some researchers estimate that as much as 14 percent of the population suffers from chronic (long-term) sinusitis.With sinusitis or sinus infection, the linings of the sinuses are inflamed. The tissues become full of mucus and drainage is blocked. Increased pressure causes pain, swelling around the eyes, clogged nasal passages, chills, fever, dizziness and loss of appetite. Some people are more prone to this condition in the fall, especially with pollen, mildew, and mold allergies.With chiropractic adjustments, sinus sufferers receive relief through removal of obstructions to the proper drainage of the sinuses, specifically in the neck and back. When vertebra alignment is off, the muscles that attach to them can become swollen or spastic and close off the lymphatic drainage of the head and neck. An adjustment frees up any nerve interference in the spine to promote proper function. Adjusting the cervical vertebrae stimulates the nerves that control the function of the sinuses. This can often be enough to trigger a decrease in pressure and increase drainage.Other things to consider would be to eat raw honey as it protects your immune system to the pollens in the raw honey making it less likely for an immune response when you breathe them. Always keep your sinuses moist, drink plenty of water and clean out your sinuses with a saline rinse. Avoid nasal sprays that dry out your sinuses as they will prompt the membrane to just make more mucous. (ever notice that you just keep using it and the sinus never really stays cleared up?) Your diet can also affect your sinuses. You’ve heard me talk before about inflammation in your body (another blog post all together), certain foods can cause inflammation in your body including your sinuses. Sugars, flour, most processed foods can make your sinus issues worse.If you are suffering with sinus issues, make sure to mention that when you make your next appointment and we will address the problem when you visit.