Top 5 Breathing Exercises for Sinusitis Treatment

Do you know that if your nose is blocked then it can be due to irritation, dehydration, and inflammation which occur due to long-standing sinusitis? If you learn to breathe properly then you can largely reduce your airway irritation. 

Sinusitis or sinus infection is a common condition that causes discomfort and can become a highly irritable condition. In this condition small air-filled spaces known as sinuses become infected and blocked due to different factors like allergies, infections, or other abnormalities. 

Ayurvedic and natural approaches efficiently manage this condition and it includes a multi-faceted approach involving herbal remedies, panchkarma therapies, diet and lifestyle modifications, and breathing exercises. 

In this blog post, our main focus is on Breathing exercises, which are adjuvant for sinus relief and are frequently used as sinus infection treatment measures. These simple exercises help to remove the obstruction and allow easy breathing.

Let’s learn more about which breathing exercises are particularly beneficial for Sinusitis in detail. 

Also Read:- 7 Pressure Points to Relieve Sinus Congestion

Breathing Exercises for Sinusitis Treatment

Breathing exercises to treat sinusitis include:-

1. Deep Nasal Breathing

This breathing exercise is a powerful way to clear the sinuses, nasal congestion and enables easy breathing. 

How to Do Deep Nasal Breathing?

• Sit in an upright and comfortable position. 
• Keep your mouth closed and start taking slow and deep breaths from your nose while keeping your focus on the expansion of the abdomen or abdominal breathing. 
• Now slowly exhale from your nostrils and empty your lungs completely. 
• Repeat this practice for 4-5 minutes initially and then it can increase and it will help to make you more calm and peaceful. 

The best thing about these exercises is that they not only eliminate the irritants but also reduce stress and anxiety. Stress is one of the causes of sinus inflammation so reducing stress also contributes to managing sinusitis. 

2. Alternate Nostril Breathing

This type of breathing is also known as nadi shodhana and is a type of pranayama that balances the energy flow and also clears the nasal cavity from excess mucus and other secretions.

How to Do Nostril Breathing?

• Sit in a comfortable upright position and close your eyes. 
• Place your right thumb on the right nostril when you are inhaling from the left nostril.
• At first inhale from the left nostril and then from the right nostril. 
• After reaching the maximum inhalation, close your left nostril and exhale slowly from your right nostril. 
• Next, inhale deeply from your right nostril and exhale deeply from your left nostril. 
• Keep repeating the process until a few minutes using alternate nostrils. 

This type of breathing exercise balances the flow of prana or vital energy and removes nasal blockage as it clears the nasal path efficiently. 

3. Bhramari Pranayama

Yoga is an ancient art of healing which lays a strong supporting system in addition to the traditional medicinal system. Pranayama involves controlled breathing and can help to treat conditions like anxiety and depression. In addition to these benefits it can also assist in enhancing blood circulation, enhance concentration levels and improve the quality of life. Bhramari means humming bee breath which involves a sound like that of a bee.

How to Do Bhramari Pranayama?

Follow the steps given below to perform bhramari pranayama:

• Sit in a comfortable position with an erect spine, close your eyes and deep breathing through your nose. 
• Place your hands on your face with your thumb covering the ears, index fingers lightly touching the inner corner of your eyes  and middle fingers on the side of your nose.
• Be careful to put only light pressure on these areas. 
• Now inhale deeply and while exhaling make a humming bee sound.
• Repeat the process for two more rounds. 

You might be wondering how humming can help to manage sinusitis, well there is some scientific evidence to back this as humming functions as a sonic cleanser and forms air vibrations that enables air to move forwards and backwards between sinuses and nasal cavity. This air movement helps in opening the blocked sinuses and enables them to ventilate and drain appropriately. It also prevents entry of allergens and harmful pathogens inside the sinuses. Humming also improves nitric oxide levels which are a vasodilator and assist in improving nasal mucosal temperature and humidification which is crucial for proper draining of sinuses. Moreover, bhramari pranayama also relaxes the brain and manages anxiety and depression.

4. Kapalbhati pranayama 

Kapalbhati pranayama is also an effective way to reduce nasal obstruction and clear nasal passages. It is helpful to practice kapalbhati pranayama for individuals suffering from chronic sinus infection or sinusitis. 

How to Do Kapalbhati pranayama? 

• Sit in a comfortable position with an erect spine and take deep breaths. 
• Exhale forcefully from your nose by contraction of abdominal muscles. 
• Inhalation should be passive as the abdomen relaxes. 
• Continue this pattern of breathing and concentrate on forceful expiration and natural inspirations. 

5. Ujjayi Breathing (Ocean Breath)

Ujjayi pranayama is also beneficial to manage sinusitis and blockage of the nose. 

How to Do Ujjayi Breathing (Ocean Breath)?

• Sit in an upright position with your spine straight. 
• Perform a deep inspiration through your nose while constricting the back of your throat and making a soft ocean sound. 
• Perform a slow exhalation through your nose and maintain the same constriction in the throat. 
• Keep practicing the same breathing process and prioritize the sound and rhythm of the breath. 

Also Read:- 7 Natural Remedies for Sinus Infection Relief

Conclusion

Research has found that some breathing exercises are good for sinus relief and comprehensive sinusitis treatment involves herbal remedies, external purification methods, diet, and lifestyle modifications that involve following regular breathing exercises. 

If you are stressed as your loved one is suffering from sinusitis or allergy, then you can contact our diligent team of doctors headed by Dr Sahil Gupta. IAFA is one of the most trustworthy and committed institutions to making the world a better place through its original and holistic approach. Dr. Gupta’s team provides effective treatment for all types of allergies and respiratory infections using 100% natural and herbal products. 

References

Bakshi, S., Abishek, K., & Bhavanani, A. (2019). The efficacy of yogic breathing exercise Bhramari pranayama in relieving symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis. International Journal of Yoga, 12(2), 120. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_32_18