read our blog

---

Clogged, congested sinuses can be annoying at best, but painful for some. Either way, you want relief and you want it fast. There’s nothing better than being able to breathe easily and passively through your nose — and we all know that we don’t appreciate that feeling until our sinuses are clogged. For many, all their sinuses need is a little stimulation in the form of a gentle massage. It’s easy to do at home and we’ve gathered a step-by-step guide for massaging all four of your sinuses for nasal congestion and headache relief.

Frontal Sinus Massage

Your frontal sinuses are located in the center of your forehead and right above each of your eyes. Here’s how to massage your frontal sinuses to breathe better and reduce sinus headaches:

• Take both of your index and middle fingers and place them above your eyebrows, toward the middle of your forehead.
• Slowly and gently massage outward in a circular motion, toward the temples.
• Repeat this motion for about 30 seconds to a minute.

Maxillary Sinus Massage

Your maxillary sinuses are the largest and they are located on both sides of your nose and just below your cheeks. Here’s how to properly massage your maxillary sinuses to breathe better through your nose:

• Place each of your index and middle fingers on either side of your nose, just between your cheekbones and upper jaw. Try using your thumbs instead of your index fingers for stronger pressure.
• Gently massage this area using a circular motion.
• Repeat for around 30 seconds to a minute.

Sphenoid and Ethmoid Sinus Massage

Your sphenoid sinuses are located behind your nose and right between your eyes, while the ethmoid sinuses are in the bone that divides your nasal cavity from your brain, so these two are quite close together. Here’s how to properly massage both your sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses to open up your sinuses, breathe better, and reduce sinus headaches in a pinch:

• Take your index fingers and place them on the sides of your nose bridge.
• Feel around for the area right between the corners of your eyes and your nasal bone.
• Put slightly firm pressure on that spot with your index fingers for around 15 seconds.
• Next, make a slow downward stroke down the side of your nose bridge.
• Repeat steps three and four once or twice.

Optional Sinus Massage Tips

For any of the sinus massages you try, if you don’t feel like your sinuses are clear, feel free to repeat the massages every hour or so. Additionally, try out these optional tips for an even more soothing, relaxing, and effective sinus massage.

• Place your hands on a heated-up microwavable hot pack or rub your hands together to warm them up a bit before massaging.
• Lay down and place a microwavable hot pack on your forehead or under the back of your neck while you give yourself the sinus massages.
• Add a drop of your favorite essential oils to your fingertips before massaging. Alternatively, try rubbing a drop of your favorite essential oil just below your nose (never inside) for a calming effect. Menthol-based oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and spearmint work wonders for opening up your sinuses as their smell is a natural nasal decongestant.

---

Expert Sinus Treatment in Detroit, MI

If massaging doesn’t help, Detroit Sinus Center has the answers to all of your sinus problems. Our team of specialists can help relieve your congested sinuses no matter if they’ve been bugging you for a day or for years. We offer expert sinus treatment from nasal steroid spray and other prescriptions to balloon sinuplasty treatment and endoscopic sinus surgery. Contact us today to get in touch with one of our sinus specialists in Detroit and to schedule your appointment!