I have a WaterPik with an adapter nozzle, like the one described here. Instead of trying to pour it uphill/sideways with a neti pot, I have water under mild pressure that goes up one nostril, through all the sinus passages and whatnot and down and out the other nostril. Rinses out all the putrid gicky stuff trying to colonize me. Repeat on the other side. Saline, slightly more so than normal saline (draws swelling out of the nasal tissue) but not by much. If I’m badly gunked up I crush a couple of benadryls and dissolve them in the warm salty water and push the combined mixture up there and it gets absorbed and really opens stuff up.
Neti Pot for sure - then when your nose is running, gently blow it. A lot. Don’t blow it too forcefully or it can cause problems in your ears.
Wow AHunter3, I’m going to look into that, but I think I will be very careful and use the lowest setting.
I’ve had bad sinus all my life, eventually having surgery. Here’s what I learned:
Decongestants are not your friend, according to my surgeon, they dry everything up, which gives initial relief but works against anything draining, which is what you really need to happen. Avoid them.
Neti pots often don’t work for people with bad sinus because their’s are slightly misformed. So it never quite gets where it needs to, to be effective, try aerosol saline instead. As it has a propellant it will get into your misshaped channels! Use it more often then you think, several times a day. The wetter and slipperier your passages are the quicker they’ll drain. Plus the saline will help fight the infection. This non pharmaceutical option has the benefit of helping your body do the fighting off of the infection, you’ll be stronger and less likely to get it back again, as a result.
For instant relief I pour boiling water into an insulated mug and add tiger balm, then inhale it, one nostril at a time, until it cools. Again you can do this a few times a day if things are bad, and it only takes a few minutes! I always do it before bed as it really helps to clear things so I can sleep better. Aw, sweet relief!
Lastly my surgeon recommended drinking a half ounce of Apple Cider Vinegar, twice a day. Shoot it back like tequila or mix with jam or syrup. He was careful to point out that most of what you read about ACV is horseshit, it will NOT cure cancer OR bring peace to the Middle East! Then explained the science to me. ACV is made by fermenting the apples with the skins on, and the skins contain an ingredient that has been proven to thin mucus, which is then concentrated during fermentation. Thinning what’s blocking your sinus is a very effective solution. (This is contentious with those who have a knee jerk reaction to anything involving ACV, as they are convinced it must surely be woo. But I trust a specialist and surgeon over them!) I find this will actually open your sinus very quickly, but the thinning effect takes a bit longer.
These things have provided me all the intervention needed to clear my sinus when I have an issue. I encourage you to give them a try. One thing I’ve learned is that often when you hear many different solutions to a problem, it’s because different things work for different people. Keep trying things till you find what works for you. I think that’s the real key.
Wishing you Good Luck!t