While additional research is still needed, acupuncture may benefit certain sinus issues, including congestion due to allergies or viral infections.

Your sinuses are four pairs of connected spaces in your skull behind your forehead, eyes, nose, and cheeks. They produce mucus that drains directly into and through your nose, helping keep bacteria, dirt, and other irritants out. They are usually empty except for the air that moves through the channels linking them.

However, they can become blocked due to:

  • allergies or hay fever
  • viral infections like a cold or COVID-19
  • pollutants like dust or smoke
  • nasal polyps

If your sinuses are blocked, you might feel pressure building up in your face. You might also feel congested and develop a headache. While over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants can provide short-term relief, they can worsen symptoms if used over 3 days.

When performed by a licensed professional, acupuncture may help relieve sinus symptoms, including congestion.

Keep reading to learn more about the potential benefits of acupuncture for sinus issues and safety considerations to be aware of.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on the belief that health depends on the flow of qi (energy) in the body. This energy travels throughout the body through invisible pathways known as meridians.

Qi is believed to help keep your body in balance and promote its natural ability to heal itself. A blocked or disrupted flow of qi can negatively impact physical and emotional well-being.

During an acupuncture session, a licensed acupuncturist inserts very thin needles into your skin to stimulate certain points, depending on the symptoms you’re addressing. According to TCM, this stimulation helps to clear blockages along your meridians, restoring the flow of qi through your body.

In Western medicine, acupuncture is believed to work by stimulating the nervous system and other body systems. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that researchers do not yet fully understand how acupuncture works but that research suggests it may benefit a variety of health issues.

Acupuncture may benefit a variety of sinus issues, including allergic rhinitis.

There aren’t many studies about the effects of acupuncture on sinus problems. Currently-available studies often have a small number of participants and may also contain bias. However, several studies suggest possible benefits of acupuncture for allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis involves inflammation of the mucus membranes in your nose in response to allergens, which can cause a range of sinus-related issues, including:

According to a 2022 review of research, acupuncture may provide relief from allergic rhinitis symptoms and improve quality of life in adults when compared to no treatment and sham acupuncture. Sham acupuncture refers to fake acupuncture or acupuncture where the needles do not pierce the skin. Researchers often use it to help account for the placebo effect in trials. The researchers also suggested acupuncture may have an effect similar to cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin). However, they noted that additional, higher-quality studies are still needed to support these findings better.

A 2022 meta-analysis examined clinical trials of acupuncture in people with chronic rhinosinusitis. However, the results were inconclusive. The authors noted that many of the available clinical studies on acupuncture were of poor quality and included other treatments related to acupuncture, including acupressure and moxibustion.

According to the NCCIH, acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a trained and experienced acupuncturist.

But if acupuncture isn’t performed correctly or needles aren’t sterile, you may be at risk for serious side effects. Licensed acupuncturists in the U.S. must use disposable needles, so receiving acupuncture from a licensed professional should minimize your risk of complications.

While acupuncture doesn’t typically hurt, some people do experience mild side effects after an acupuncture, session, including:

  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • pain or tenderness around the involved areas

It’s also best to avoid acupuncture if you:

  • are pregnant, as some points may induce labor
  • have a pacemaker, which could be affected by the mild electric pulse that’s sometimes used with acupuncture needles
  • take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder

If you’ve decided to try acupuncture, it’s essential to choose a licensed and qualified acupuncturist.

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) offers licensing programs and examinations, but specific licensing requirements vary by state.

Licensed acupuncturists typically have a few thousand hours of training and must treat a certain number of people before being licensed.

You can also ask your primary care physician for a referral or search the NCCAOM acupuncturist registry. Once you’ve found an acupuncturist, you can call your state licensing board to make sure they’re licensed to practice in your state.

Things you might ask before making an appointment include:

  • how long the acupuncturist has been working with clients
  • whether they’ve treated sinus issues with acupuncture before
  • how many sessions they think you need
  • whether they accept insurance or offer a sliding-scale payment system

If you’re worried about pain or discomfort, let them know. They may be able to address your concerns and help you feel more comfortable before your first session.

Acupuncture usually takes numerous treatments over several weeks to make a difference, so expect to be asked to come back for more treatments.

Even if the acupuncturist you choose accepts insurance, not all insurance providers cover acupuncture, so it’s a good idea to call your provider to find out if they’ll cover acupuncture treatments and, if so, how many.

If you have recurring sinus issues or are looking to try alternative treatments, acupuncture may be worth a try.

Research suggests it may improve symptoms and quality of life for allergic rhinitis. While more research is needed, it’s possible that these benefits may extend to other sinus issues.

Just make sure you see a licensed acupuncturist and keep up with any prescribed sinus treatments.