For most patients with sinusitis, nasal irrigations are very effective. Salt water—squirted in the nose with either a bulb syringe or a squeeze bottle purchased at any local drugstore—will clear mucus from the nasal passages and help relieve the associated congestion caused by sinusitis. In addition, as the salt water runs out of the nostrils during irrigations, it flushes out offending bacteria and allergy particles that may also be contributing to the disease.

Many of my patients use herbal medications for sinus infections, although there is limited data in medical literature to demonstrate the effectiveness of these therapies. So long as people realize these are “alternative” therapies and not meant to replace conventional treatment, I have no problem with people taking them. Acupuncture and acupressure can also be quite effective in treating the pain symptoms associated with sinusitis such as facial pressure and headache.