In the space of only this last week, amongst my friends, family and within many online social groups, I have seen a number of posts all about tension headache or sinus issues. This has prompted me to share a bit more of my personal experience with sinuses that can often lead to constant pain and this post is bit of a time stamp too.

Nationally we have been rolling out Covid vaccines for a few months now and people who have actually had the virus too have reported to me their sinuses and headaches have been unbearable. To a point where they are either stuck in bed or medicated to try to get rid of the pain. Many of the people have reported, it was like someone pushing the space between their eyes and forehead (third eye) constantly causing tension and the pain not just here but anywhere in the head too.

Whilst not everyone has a cold right now, but it does seem strange that a high number of people have reported these feelings this week. Not all were related to having a vaccine or a virus but perhaps it could be something else? Could it be the weather, general climate or the season? Today in the UK it is rather chilly, where I am it is about 2c and in Scotland 1c. Many of us have had our heating on for much of the day and it is relatively cloudy outside as I post this.

Why do I tell you this? This time of year we have had our heating on for months, then we have been housebound with many lockdowns and this all affects our body. Drier air means your sinuses can become bunged up or congested. The sinus passages are behind your eyes, nose, cheeks, and forehead and when these become blocked, pressure builds up which can cause pain.

Sinus headaches can happen not just seasonally but also if you have allergies, or occasionally when your sinuses become triggered for some other reason. Some times we develop allergies at a later stage too. In any case, it is important to determine what is the cause of your congestion.

Throughout the year my sinuses are put to the test constantly. In the summer I have hayfever and then I have menieres as well. I have had hayfever since I was kid, but the menieres and sinus challenges only really started around 15 years ago. At first I was prescribed nasal sprays, then when that didn’t work I was put on to medication and that didn’t work either. I always strive for natural ways with health issues (which explains my enthusiasm for holistic health) and I researched ways to help myself. Nowadays, anybody that asks for my help on dealing with their sinuses I always say the same thing because I have had 15 years of it myself and not just in the last week!

My top tip is to use the age old method of steam inhalation. I put salt into the water and then peppermint and/or eucalyptus, anything menthol will be just as good. After doing this some (not too forcibly) try blowing your nose which should hopefully provide bit of relief.

A diffuser in the room during winter time is also a good idea but not solely for the purpose of clearing your sinuses, but it gives a bit of moisture into the air.

Another method is encouraging circulation in the muscles of your face and using massage or acupressure to stimulate a physical response. You will probably be doing this as a natural response when the pain may be unbearable.

For me using a nasal rinse is also especially great when I have been experiencing hearing issues, I often get a muffled ear and this is my body telling me my sinuses are blocked (as I often don’t realise it). In my experience the nasal rinse is good for more severe blockages.

You also need to assess your diet and lifestyle and what has lead you to have sinus issues. For me it means limiting or taking out certain foods and drinks, such as too much diary or salty foods can all contribute to getting sinus congestion. I also include ginger into my food or make ginger tea with it. Trying to cut down or eliminate caffeine has also helped too. I have occasionally taken herbal remedies and choose Gingko to help when I have nausea.

Trying to take time out to destress is also very important because in my opinion, a stressed life leads to a stressed mind and body. I personally find these methods ease my symptoms and luckily for me as a Healer I can combine all of this with my healing practices. I can do this remotely as well, so feel free to get in touch if you would like to book Distant Reiki or once out of lockdown a Reiki session.

Some great resources can be found online to help you as well, I recommend healthline

#sinus #sinusrelief #sinuscongestion #headache

In a recent study, participants were split into two groups. One group would follow a stretching program that consisted of 21 different exercises over 30-minutes 5 times a week (over an eight-week period). The other group would do an equivalent of 30-minutes brisk walk over the same period of time.

This study was the analysis of 40 adults with hypertension at the University of Saskatchewan and all of the participants wore a blood pressure monitor for the study. After the eight-weeks, both groups blood pressure had reduced but the group that engaged in full-body stretching significantly more than the walking group.

With stretching, the body benefits from lowering blood pressure and therefore stiffness of our arteries and therefore the body’s blood flow. In other words, when you stretch your muscles, you’re also stretching all the blood vessels that feed into the muscle, including all the arteries.

Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.

Stretching once today won’t magically give you perfect flexibility. You’ll need to do it over time and remain committed to the process. I always tell my clients that your muscles are like “elastic bands” you need to stretch them regularly so that they do not become “dry and brittle ie. rigid”.

However, when it comes to weight loss, walking would have the better results. The walking group did lose more waist circumference, so it would seem doing both activities would be the better choice going forwards. Aerobic activity increases oxygen levels and in turn effect body fat, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Both activities are beneficial to your overall health and a 30-minutes stretch whilst you are watching TV that can result in reducing blood pressure is something that can be easily incorporated into your lifestyle.

#bloodpressure #goodhealth #lifestyle #walking #muscles #relax

The power of touch should not be underestimated. You have heard the saying “actions speak louder than words”. In action we can communicate at lightening speed compared with speaking or reading. Now apply this to the concept of touch, signals are sent to the brain and its almost instantaneous.

So let’s touch on anatomy a little, your skin is the body’s largest sensory organ, where you can experience pressure, vibration, pain, temperature, textures and physical pleasure. Our sensors adapt quickly and we can forget that we are being touched. The subconscious mind also plays a large part as well, just think about it, we can put clothes on and then in the briefest of moments feel them touch our skin, then we “forget” and move on.

The simple act of touch can invoke so many different emotions, even negative ones, being pressed, squeezed, poked etc and in turn you can feel anger, fear, disgust but also sympathy, emotions of gratitude and love to name a few.

Our physical body responds to touch too, such as our blood pressure, nerves and heart rate changes, like a hug from a loved one can reduce stress on our minds and bodies almost immediately.

A mother nurturing her baby can be enough to relax the baby. They feel comforted, relaxed and trusting through the power of touch. The baby cuddling a blanket and feeling the softness and temperature of the materials. All basic human instincts and responses to touch.

Let’s hope this lockdown will finish soon and life can get back to what we are all used to, the basic human need of touch is what we need now more than ever for our mental health and physical wellbeing.

It’s official the treatment room re-opens on the 3rd December regardless of tier, a stated in point 6b on the government’s winter plan

I am offering a special price for Distant Reiki during the national lockdown. Reiki is a wonderful energy that helps realign the body and mind to its natural state, so that the body’s innate capacity to balance again is re-established Reiki is a gentle way to help bring relief and comfort to those experiencing physical and emotional difficulties.