Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooSinusitis

Sinusitis is swelling (inflammation) of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection. It is common after a cold or flu and usually clears up on its own within 4 weeks (NHS, 2024). The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose. When their lining swells, mucus cannot drain properly, making you feel blocked up (NHS, 2024).

Blocked sinuses can cause pain around the nose, ears, face and head. They often follow a cold, and changes in air pressure, such as flying or diving, can also play a part (MedlinePlus, 2026).

What are the Main Causes of Sinusitis?

• Infection, usually a virus, often after a cold or flu (NHS, 2024)
• Allergies, especially hay fever (MedlinePlus, 2026)
• Smoke, dirty air or air pollution (MedlinePlus, 2026)
• The structure of the nose, such as a bent (deviated) septum, the wall between the nostrils (MedlinePlus, 2026)
• Changes in air pressure, such as flying or diving (MedlinePlus, 2026)

What are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?

Treatment for Sinusitis

Treatments you may want to discuss with your pharmacist, family doctor or nurse practitioner

Does Therapy Work?

Some people try therapies such as Indian head massage, reflexology, osteopathy, chiropractic or cranio-sacral therapy. These are not recommended treatments for sinusitis in NHS or NICE guidance, so they should not replace the self-care and medical advice above. If you would like to try one of them, ask that practitioner what to expect. Massage with me won't treat the infection itself, but I can work on tension in your face, jaw, neck and shoulders while it clears. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

Tips

• Avoid smoke and polluted areas where you might inhale dust or dirt (MedlinePlus, 2026).
• Manage your hay fever or other allergies by avoiding your triggers where possible, for example open grassland on hot days when pollen might be high (NHS, 2024). A pharmacist can advise on allergy treatments.
• Ask me about deep breathing and nasal breathing techniques.
• Ventilate your home regularly, and keep windows open if you dry clothes inside. Flats or apartments can become damp, so keep them well aired.
• NICE found no evidence that steam inhalation or warm face packs help acute sinusitis (NICE, 2017).

When your sinuses are blocked, the muscles of your face, jaw, neck and shoulders often tense up around the pressure, and you can feel worn out. Massage doesn't treat the infection itself and doesn't replace the self-care and medical advice in this sheet. My aim is to ease that tension and leave you more comfortable and relaxed, not exhausted.

I start by asking where you feel blocked or sore and whether it keeps coming back, and I check your neck, jaw and shoulders for tightness and tender spots. If you have a high temperature or feel very unwell, we'll reschedule.

In the Session

• Shorter sessions, about half an hour, with tissues ready
• Whichever position is most comfortable: on your back, on your side, or face down if the face cradle feels okay
• Gentle work through the shoulders, upper back and neck, then the jaw muscles, face and scalp
• Gentle sustained pressure on tight, tender spots in the neck, shoulders and jaw
• Light, still fingertip pressure and soft tapping around the sinuses, within your comfort
• Slow, relaxed belly breathing, and gentle neck movement to finish

Long-Standing or Recurring Sinus Problems

1. NHS (2024) Sinusitis (sinus infection). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sinusitis-sinus-infection/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2017) Sinusitis (acute): antimicrobial prescribing (NG79) – Recommendations. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng79/chapter/Recommendations (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
3. MedlinePlus (2026) Sinusitis. Medical Encyclopedia. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm (Accessed: 7 October 2026).