A sinus infection  or sinusitis is an inflammation of the air filled pockets in the bones of the face, of which we all have four pairs (sinuses in the face). Sinuses are a series of hollow cavities in the bone of the forehead, cheeks, and nose that produce mucus for the nasal passages and throat. The function of sinuses is three fold: 1) decrease the weight of the skull 2) warm the air we breathe 3) act as a mucus factory to filter the air. The mucus traps dirt and debris brought in by the air. Any dirty mucus is transferred out of the sinus via a drain hole called the ostia. Hence when sinuses are healthy and open they have a mucus lining that ensure warm, moist air, free from pollutants reaching the lungs.   However when infected, the sinus linings become swollen, inflamed and the body creates an excess of mucus.

Sinusitis is triggered when the lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed and swells. This can be a result of inhaling irritants such as chemicals or particles causing allergies. The ostia which is a drain hole may become plugged with the excess mucus and swollen tissues. This creates a negative optimal environment for viruses or bacteria to flourish. As the sinuses become filled and the lining more irritated, pressure builds up often causing headaches and that common stuffed up feeling. This is how the lining of the sinuses become compromised and damaged and the person becomes more vulnerable to further infections.  

Chronic sinus infections can be painful and include headaches, coughing and sore throat, clogged ears, watery eyes, and runny nose. The most common remedy usually involves antibiotics and, in some cases, steroids, which the body can build up resistance to over time. 

A better, more natural way to not only clear up sinus infections but help the body build up immunity against future infections can be through Chiropractic care. Chiropractic indirectly treats sinus infections and many patients have positive results with chiropractic adjustments. A chiropractic adjustment works to free up any nerve interference in the central nervous system (spine) to promote proper function. The function of the central nervous system is imperative for how the body functions overall. The better our nerves can transfer messages from the brain to the body’s systems and vice versa, the more in sync and healthy the body will be. Spinal misalignments cause nerve interference that can lead to all sorts of chaos within the body. Spinal misalignments can be the root cause of sinus inflammation and pain. Removing spinal misalignments not only reduces inflammation, but it also increases immune system function.  Sinus issues are prevented and fighting off colds and infections is easy for the body when the immune system is in optimal health. Thus, adjusting the cervical vertebrae (neck area) stimulates the nerves that control the function of the sinuses which naturally decrease pressure and increase drainage. Often patients experiencing sinus infection have a misalignment of the neck and back vertebrae causing the associated muscles to become swollen or spastic, cutting off proper lymphatic fluid drainage. Chiropractic adjustments reinvigorate the central nervous system’s optimal functioning, thus allowing for excess fluid to drain from the sinuses.

The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics held a study with 14 patients with sinus infections. Patients received manual chiropractic therapy on the second, third, and fifth week of a seven-week session all significantly improved after each chiropractic session reporting less pain and improvement of symptoms. The Study concluded chiropractic treatment may be a viable alternative to standard care for chronic sinus infections.

About Dr. Kaminsky & Craniosacral Therapy

Dr. Kaminsky earned his Chiropractic degree in the year 2000 and is licensed to practice in NY. He has since completed close to three thousand hours of continuing education seminars in various healthcare fields.

Since 2015, he is implementing primarily the hands-on techniques of Craniosacral Therapy (CST), a gentle, non-invasive, laying of the hands that brings about reversal and restoration.

The Craniosacral Mechanism is the driver of moving fluid in the body and head called cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF), which is produced by the Choroid Plexus of the brain and encapsulated within the head and spine.

The craniosacral system is the hydraulic mechanism of a human being and is a component of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and (ANS) Autonomic Nervous system.

There is a function inside of your brain that autonomically generates rhythmic impulses that function to pump CSF throughout your body via the craniosacral pathways, regulating your central and peripheral nerves, nervous system and organ systems, musculoskeletal system, etc.

This moving fluid is palpable to a trained craniosacral therapist, like the heart rate, pulse rhythm, breath, that can all be seen, heard or felt, so too can the Cranial Sacral Rhythm (CSR) be palpated and diagnosed for its health.

By placing his or her hands on your body, including your head and sacrum, the therapist can detect, feel and evaluate the SQAR (symmetry, quality, amplitude, rate) of this fluid rhythm.

The health of your body and mind are dependent on the vitality of this fluid. Compromises of your CSR’s rhythmic impulse correlates to CSF flow restrictions in the system which, when the fluid isn’t flowing optimally, your bodily rejuvenation and recovery is affected.

With anatomically correct hand placement on different parts the body during a session, through gentle manipulation and mobilization the therapist guides and facilitates a positive change in that region of the body which brings forth a correction. A myofascial release in a sense.

A craniosacral therapist stimulates and helps your rhythm refocus, allowing for improvement of musculoskeletal tightness and spasms, neurological issues, organ function, many common conditions, pain, and the mind-body re-connect.

Through a practitioners properly focused and individually attuned touch, your body is facilitated to release channels of fluid stagnation and flow restriction, which ultimately breakthrough, overcome and improve your rhythmic fluid and your potential for health improvement.

The existence of the Craniosacral mechanism was first discovered by Osteopath Dr. William Sutherland in the early 1900’s, who called it Cranial Osteopathy. And many years later, renamed to Craniosacral Therapy by Osteopath, Dr. John Upledger.

Dr. Alex Kaminsky is an advanced and certified Craniosacral Therapist, having studied advanced levels including SER, Brain and Pediatric courses. He has built a significant skill-set with many years of experience treating adults, children and babies. To learn more, visit the other pages on this website. Call to schedule your appointment with Dr. Kaminsky.