Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis affects an estimated 15 % of Canadians annually and persist for years if not dealt with properly.  Sinusitis is the inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the inside of the nose and sinus cavity. When a mucous membrane becomes inflamed, it swells, blocking the drainage of fluid from the sinuses into the nose and throat, this can cause pressure and pain in the sinuses.   The situation becomes chronic when the problem persists for longer than three months and if unresolved can lead to Sinus Infections.   Chronic sinusitis can begin to cause other symptoms such as facial pain, headaches, night-time cough which may lead to disruption of sleep, general malaise, dizziness and irritability.

Low Level Laser Therapy is an amazing treatment for acute or chronic sinusitis.  Laser therapy works through its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and biostimulative effects to ease pain, or even on its elimination, it also causes a quicker withdrawal of inflammation and oedema of the mucosa and thus brings restoration of drainage of sinuses as well as normalisation of the sinuses function.  Laser treatment of sinusitis has no negative side effects and can suitably complement therapy with antibiotics, and antihistamines.

Laser therapy is best described as the treatment of an injury or illness with light to accelerate the body’s own natural healing process.  It is defined by the North American Association of Laser Therapy (NAALT) as “a therapeutic physical modalityusing photons (light energy) from the visible and infrared spectrum for tissue healing and pain reduction.”  Once light is absorbed, a series of photochemical reactions occur that result in enhanced tissue healing, pain control and stimulation of the vascular, immune and lymphatic systems. Laser therapy is the only therapeutic modality with a cumulative effect in cells and tissue. Light sensitive chromophores within the cell and the cell membrane absorb light energy and initiate a series of important photochemical changes, providing the cell with the extra energy needed to accelerate the healing process.

When a cell is actively working to repair itself (and its neighbours), it needs a great deal of energy.  Unfortunately, most cells will continue to “plug along” at their usual rate, which is why repair of some tissues take so long.  In some instances, the cells are so busy dealing with the inflammatory cells and products that are present in the injured tissue, they don’t have enough energy left to provide effective repair.

By stimulating the cells with this specific light source, inflammation is reduced, circulation is improved and cell activity is hyper activated – sped up – so that they can perform better, faster and more effectively.  The result is wound and injury healing that is vastly enhanced and that takes dramatically less time to complete.

The above activities result in the following patient outcomes:

• Accelerated tissue healing by 40%
• Reduced or eliminated pain
• Decreased edema and inflammation
• Improved immune response

During the therapy the low power laser provides an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect which helps to ease or eliminate the sinus pressure or pain.  Over the course of treatments the reduced inflammation and swelling brings the restoration of drainage to the sinuses and normalizes the sinuses function.  Throughout the sessions home care is discussed that may relieve symptoms of pain and pressure associated with sinusitis.

Read Our Sinusitis Success Stories