Sinus problems affect at least 30 million Americans, and are one of the most common complaints of patients seeking medical attention. When the mucus changes from clear to a yellow or green color, it means a bacterial infection. The mucus builds up and the nasal passages become blocked because the sinus tissues are swollen. One consequence is the pressure and pain of sinus headaches. In China, people use Chinese herbs and acupuncture for their chronic recurrent sinus infections.
Many doctors offer herbs and acupuncture even for acute and severe cases.
This use of acupuncture and herbs dramatically decreases the use of antibiotics, thus avoiding the abuse and side effects of antibiotics. It is very valuable for our society to have different options besides antibiotics, especially for the chronic and recurrent infections which conventional Western medicine has failed to cure. A fifty-one year old lady came to my clinic last November. Every year she suffered from repeated sinus infections, for which she used Bactrim and Amoxil, as well as some decongestants. Steam inhalation helped her a little bit.