Is it Possible to Heal Sinus Infections With Sauna Use?

Pressure is building up behind the eyes, the inner cheeks surrounding the nose are sensitive to the touch, and a subtle headache is mounting. These are signs that a sinus infection is settling into your body. Sinus infections can last weeks, and sometimes months.

The sinuses are an elaborate and very detailed portion of the human body and are filled with plenty of pockets for infections to ripen. The winter and early spring are the prime time for the sinuses to get infected, especially if you have been hit by the common cold, then it lingers on in your sinuses as a bacterial infection.

The research shows that saunas can help relieve chronic sinus infections both through exposure to the high heat as well as by positively impacting the autonomic nervous system, and improving immunity. A little known fact is that the sinuses are directly impacted by relational, work, and other ongoing stresses. While the common cold may be the cause for many sinus infections, it is also true that toxic stress can aggravate the sinuses.

Saunas may help treat ongoing or recurring sinus infections in a three-pronged manner. It can improve peak nasal flow, balance the autonomic nervous system (relieve toxic ongoing stress), and improve overall immunity.

Find out what a sinus infection is, including the signs and symptoms, and how heat therapy may be able to help relieve the pressure and discomfort from this common infection.

What is a Sinus Infection?: Sinusitis, Signs, and Symptoms

A sinus infection is known in medical terms as sinusitis, or sometimes as rhinosinusitis. Sinusitis inflames the tissues in the space around your cheeks, middle forehead, and nose where the sinuses are located. Symptoms can range from pain in the aforementioned areas, a fever (sometimes), a runny and/or stuffy nose, and a headache. (1)

The sinuses are four pairs of cavities in your head space, and when operating at their optimal can help release unwanted toxins, bacteria, and substances out through your nasal passage. The sinuses have small tunnels that connect them to each other. Given how small and moist the sinuses are, it is no wonder that they can easily get infected.

A looming sinus infection can be felt in the eyes, ears, cheeks, forehead, and even as a pressure headache. Most sinus infections are originally caused by the common cold when a bacterial infection develops in the sinuses. If left untreated sinus infections can last for months, and the dangerous aspect of a sinus infection is simply how close it is to the brain.

If your cold does not clear up after 7-10 days you may have a sinus infection. Some individuals are more prone to sinus infections for a variety of reasons, and others may contract a viral sinus infection, which is rare.

In most cases of bacterial sinus infections antibiotics will clear the issue up. For some individuals, sinus infections are recurring and will require a more robust lifestyle change. While for others antibiotics are simply not available for a variety of reasons.

If you have recurring sinus infections, or are unable to use antibiotics, perhaps you are interested in using a multi-tiered approach to treat your sinusitis. You might be a candidate to explore a variety of treatment options for your sinus infections, including taking into consideration how saunas may be able to rectify current and recurrent sinus infections.

How Sauna Use Can Help With Sinus Infections

Clear sinuses with heat to achieve peak nasal drainage
Liberate the autonomic nervous system from long term stress and sleepless nights
Improve immune response to aid in sinusitis

The Research & Data to Achieve Peak Nasal Flow With Saunas

Experiencing the heat from a sauna can release the built up pressure within the sinuses to clear them from lingering bacteria with peak nasal flow.

A six week long trial found that sauna use improved peak nasal flow, allergic rhinitis (allergy induced sinusitis), and lung function on a group of Thai participants (12 males & 14 females). The total of 26 participants were divided into two equal numbered groups (13), those who participated in the sauna protocol, and those who did not. This study published by the National Institute of Health is entitled: ‘The effect of six-weeks of sauna on treatment autonomic nervous system, peak nasal inspiratory flow and lung functions of allergic rhinitis Thai patients’ (3)

This study selected individuals who had been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis to participate in a six week long trial that used saunas in a very specific manner to alleviate sinus build up. (3) While allergy induced sinus infections are not exactly the same as a bacterial sinus infection, many of the symptoms are similar. It can be deduced that if the study was effective in treating allergic rhinitis the same basic principles may be applied to sinusitis. (4)

The objective of this study was as follows: “To investigate the effects of six weeks of repeated sauna treatment on the autonomic nervous system, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and lung functions in Thai patients with allergic rhinitis.” (3)

The study used an unusual means of sauna protocol, but nevertheless this particular method was shown to be effective.

“The sauna group received sauna treatment over a six-week period, 3 days per week, with 6 sets of 5 minutes per set per day, totaling 30 minutes. Each 5 minute set alternated with a 5 minute period of rest.” (3)

The final results of the study found that the participants using a sauna had peak nasal flow, improved overall equilibrium of their autonomic nervous system, and that their heart rate variability had also improved. (3)

An unprecedented aspect of sinusitis is that it seems to be intricately related to the autonomic nervous system in a similar capacity to high blood pressure. (5)

The Autonomic Nervous System & Sinus Infections

Ongoing toxic stress poses a major issue for the sinuses. Those who suffer from continued sinus infections may be under a significant amount of long term stress that has affected the autonomic nervous system. If your sinus infections are coupled with frequent bouts of sleeplessness, you will want to find out how improving your autonomic nervous system with sauna therapy can actually positively affect your sinuses.

In a peer reviewed journal published by the National Institute of Health entitled: ‘Autonomic nervous system dysfunction and sinonasal symptoms’ there is an in depth exploration into the relationship between ongoing high stress and sinusitis.

The study writes:

“The autonomic nervous system (ANS) richly innervates the nose and paranasal sinuses, and has a significant role in lower airway diseases..The ANS has a significant role in the pathophysiologic mechanisms that produce sinonasal symptoms…There was some evidence to support mechanisms related to physical and psychological stressors in this relationship. ” (5)

While it is not fully understood how the autonomic nervous system impacts sinus related diseases, it is known that saunas are a reliable means to relax the nervous system.

The heat of saunas work directly with the autonomic nervous system. While the initial experience of heat in the sauna causes a slight stress to the body, very quickly the body slides out of stress response and into states of deep relaxation. If you have ever taken a sauna you know that it does not take long before you will begin to feel sleepy, or at least deeply restful. (6)

It appears that the original study mentioned previously, where a six week sauna trial on individuals with sinus diseases was used, inadvertently stimulated the nervous system to balance it so that states of parasympathetic dominance could be found more easily. This action took immediate stress off of the bodies of its participants and affected positive change in the sinuses.

The journal entitled: ‘Autonomic nervous system dysfunction and sinonasal symptoms’, concludes with these remarks.

“The ANS sits within a web of multiple factors, including personality and psychological distress, that contribute to sinonasal symptoms.” (5)

It appears that both the heat from the sauna causes peak nasal flow, but moreover that saunas also positively impact the ANS and therefore the sinuses to create a positive feedback loop. One final way that saunas may positively alter the course of a sinus infection is by boosting the immune system.

Saunas and Your Immune System

Sinus infections often occur after a common cold and develop as a result of bacterial infections. If it is possible to boost your immune system it may also be possible to treat a sinus infection with sauna use (in conjunction with necessary pharmacological treatments).

Saunas are able to positively affect both the adaptive and innate immune system by improving the presence of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) in the body. HSP 70 directly impacts T-cell production (a type of white blood cell necessary for a properly functioning immune system). (6) By improving the availability of T-cells the immune system is summoned to areas of the body under attack from foreign invaders, such as is found in the case of a bacterial infection in the sinuses.

In order to positively impact the immune system with sauna they must be taken serially. This means on a frequent and consistent basis. So, if your sinus infections are chronic it may be possible to improve your immune system with saunas to enable your body to fight off the infection naturally, or in conjunction with other treatments.

What is the Correct Sauna Protocol to Treat Sinus Infections

It is best to work alongside a trained medical practitioner when treating sinus infections. If you choose to incorporate sauna use into your treatment plan, you may want to use a similar approach to the treatment that was used in the clinical trial mentioned above.

While this particular sauna protocol is somewhat unusual it was effective in the clinical trial. Here is the recipe as prescribed in the clinical trial.

Be prepared to sauna at least 3 times per week.
You will need to set aside at least one hour to properly perform your sauna protocol.
Have a resting station set up close to your sauna. This could mean something as simple as a yoga mat on the floor (although this should be uncomfortable for some), a couch, or even a bed. You should also have towels or a robe handy, as well as blankets if appropriate.
You will want your sauna to be set to a fairly high temperature.
Enter the sauna and set a timer for 5 minutes.
After the timer goes off, carefully remove yourself from the sauna.
Once you are established in a comfortable resting position you will set the timer again for 5 minutes.
When the timer goes off carefully place yourself back into the sauna for another five minutes.
You will repeat this sequence for a total of 6 times. This means that you will spend 30 minutes total in the sauna at a high heat with intermittent time to rest.

This is the protocol that was followed in the study, and the results from this study were positive for sinus relief and overall autonomic nervous system balancing.

If this sauna protocol does not work for you it is still best to ensure that your sauna use is serial, and that you are able to enter your sauna at least 3 times per week to effect positive change in your sinuses.

You should always consult your physician before beginning any sauna protocol. Do not use a sauna if you have an active fever, or are dehydrated. If you are using antibiotics to treat your sinus infection, find out from your doctor if it is okay to use a sauna in conjunction with antibiotics.

Perhaps, with the help of a sauna you and your sinuses can be on your way to a healthier and happier life!

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