How acupuncture helped my chronic sinusitis

(By Paolo Propato, LAc) Patients are always asking, “What made you get into acupuncture?” The story has multiple players but chronic sinusitis was a major character. In the early 2000s I was living in Florence, Italy. Life was great, except for one stone in my shoe: chronic sinusitis.

The doctor gave me antibiotics; a naturopath friend gave me a spray of bottled hot spring water that smelled of rotten eggs. Both worked for short amounts of time but the issue kept returning to the point that the doctor thought it was time to talk about surgery. I was hesitant due to my uncle having had sinus surgery and yet already complaining about sinus pain a few years later. The search to heal my sinuses continued.

At the time I was heavily involved in a Korean martial art as well as meditation. The classes were held at the Ayurvedic school in Florence. People were more than happy to tell me of the variety of different modalities I could use, but one friend recommended an acupuncturist close by.

Upon walking into his office, the smell of moxa was heavy. I laid on the table answering his questions, and got my first treatment. I remember thinking, “I’m already stuffy and this guy is burning smoke on me.” I wasn’t impressed and was ready to not come back but decided to return due to something he said. “They want to widen your passages, I understand that. But why are you producing so much mucus in the first place?”

That night I reflected on those words and thought about my uncle. “What if my uncle feels congested again because the mucus is still being produced?” I called and made a follow-up appointment. In time I changed my diet, used acupuncture, and made some lifestyle changes that he suggested.

Gradually, I noticed that my sinuses were clearer. I didn’t need antibiotics and eventually my chronic sinusitis became a thing of the past.

We are holding a free class at Bridge, "Immune Health for Fall: Focus on Sinusitis," this coming Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 at 6pm. Spaces are limited so if you are interested in this topic please sign up at bridge.janeapp.com.

Can’t make the class? Just get in touch. We’d love to help you out.