5 Sinus Massage Techniques To Relieve Pressure and Promote Drainage

If you’re prone to sinus congestion, you know the feeling all too well. Puffy eyes. Stuffed up nose. Pressure that makes your whole face hurt.

Maybe it’s allergies. Or a cold. Or the phase of the moon. Or whatever. No matter the reason, you probably want to be rid of that sinus pressure. Fast.

You know that things like neti pots, antihistamines, warm compresses and sleeping with a humidifier can help. A cool washcloth or refrigerated ice pack might do the trick, too. And if it’s a bacterial sinus infection, a round of antibiotics may be needed.

But here’s one you might not have tried: Sinus massage.

Now before your imagination runs wild — no, we’re not talking about massaging the inside of your sinuses (no instruments up the nose here). Rather, we’re talking about applying some light pressure to certain regions of your face to help promote drainage.

“Inflammation in your sinuses leads to a buildup of fluid that causes puffiness and pressure,” explains massage therapist Vickie Bodner, LMT. “Some targeted massage techniques may help to relieve some of that congestion and promote fluid drainage.”

Bodner walks us through a step-by-step sinus self-massage that may help you breathe a little easier.

Why try sinus massage

Your sinuses are the four hollow spaces in each side of your head and face that allow air and mucus to flow. They’re connected by narrow passageways. When all is well, air and mucus make their way through your sinuses and out of your nose without you ever really even thinking about it.

But when your sinuses become inflamed, those passages narrow. That gums up the works. Mucus gets trapped and it becomes a chore to breathe out of your nose. The result? A pile of used tissues filling up your trash can and aches in your face and behind your eyes.

Sound familiar?

Although there aren’t any research studies to support this practice, in Bodner’s experience, massage may help to get things flowing again.

How to massage your sinuses

You have four sinus cavities each side in your face. The two largest are the frontal and maxillary sinuses.

Your frontal sinuses are located in the bottom part of your forehead. They’re right around the innermost parts of each of your eyebrows.

Your maxillary sinuses are just under your eyes, behind your cheekbones on each side of your face.

“To get sinus relief from massage, you’ll want to target any areas where you feel sinus discomfort — whether in your forehead, cheeks or both,” Bodner says. “Remember, though, that you’ll want to use a very light touch with any sinus massage. You don’t want to add extra pressure to those inflamed sinus cavities.”

Going too hard on those sinuses can lead to lightheadedness, dizziness or even vertigo. So, take it easy.

1. Frontal sinus pressure point

One place in your frontal sinuses can help get some fluids moving. It’s a pressure point near the inner corners of your eyebrows where your frontal sinuses drain to your nose.

1. Gently, trace your index fingers up along each side of your nose, just to where your nose starts to curve to meet your orbital bone (eye bone) near your eyebrows. You may feel a slight ridge there.
2. Rest your fingers on that point, applying very light pressure.
3. Release the pressure for a second, then reapply the same light pressure. Or rotate your fingers in very small circles at that spot.
4. Perform for about five to 10 seconds, if that feels good.

The key is to keep the pressure minimal. Your eyebrows shouldn’t move or squish beneath your fingers.

“You want to be really gentle here because you’re working around that delicate tissue near your eyes,” Bodner advises. “Resist the temptation to dig in. The idea is to allow your body to release itself. You don’t want to force it. It should feel like the weight of a penny on your face.”

This pressure point may be a little tricky to find, but once you find it, you’ll feel it. You may notice increased warmth or a tingly feeling. That’s a sign it’s working.

2. Frontal sinus pinch

1. Starting at the innermost part of your eyebrows, gently pinch your brows between your thumb and forefinger.
2. Hold for a second or two and move slightly outward, toward your temples.
3. Repeat until you reach the ends of your eyebrows. It should take four or five gentle pinches to get across your brows.

3. Maxillary sinus pressure point

1. Gently trace your index fingers down along each side of your nose, just to where your nostrils meet your cheeks. (Right at the top of your “smile lines.”) You may feel slight divots there.
2. Rest your fingers on that point, applying very light pressure.
3. Release the pressure for a second, then reapply the same light pressure. Or rotate your fingers in very small circles at that spot.
4. Perform for about five to 10 seconds, or however long feels good for you.

4. Maxillary sinus sweep

1. Use your index fingers to gently press either side of your nose, at the base of your nostrils.
2. Circle under your cheekbones, toward your ears, and up to your temples, above your eyebrows and down the sides of your nose. You’ll make a full circle, starting back where you started.
3. Try it the other direction, too.
4. Complete about five circles or as many as feel good.

5. Frontal sinus sweep

1. Start with four fingertips (not your thumb) on each of your eyebrows at the innermost point, nearest your nose.
2. Use your fingertips to slowly sweep up and out over your brow line from your nose to your temples.
3. With each sweep, move up your forehead about a half inch until you reach your hairline.

When to see a provider

Sinus pressure can be related to a range of conditions. And sometimes, you’ll need more than home remedies and self-massage to relieve it.

Most importantly, bacterial sinus infections, for example, may require treatment with antibiotics or other prescription medications. Talk with a healthcare provider if your pain is accompanied by a fever or pain that doesn’t improve with at-home treatments or if you have chronic sinus pain (lasting 10 days or more).