If you're breathing out of both nostrils without any trouble right now then you're blessed. To you readers with allergies or a sinus infection, my condolences. You really can relate .
I like to say I have a bag of magic acupuncture points. They're the quick and easy points that give a patient instant relief. They're the 'Aha! This works!' of Chinese medicine. Bi Tong is in my bag of tricks. A patient will come to me with a completely blocked nose and I stick this little puppy in and their nose instantly drains. To anyone who has suffered from seasonal allergies or sinusitis that just won't quit, this is heaven.
Bi Tong (pronounced Bee Tawng) is located right alongside your nose. Makes perfect sense why it works- it's right there at the sinuses, sending Qi straight to the source and opening it up. Bi Tong is a beautiful half to a nose-busting duo. I actually insert the needle at Large Intestine 20 (located next to your nostril) and superficially thread it up to Bi Tong. So the needle is now in line with your sinuses and they clear right up, giving you sweet relief.
Now, like any ailments, a full acupuncture treatment is really going to be the most effective. If you have a cold, there are points on the arms and one right at the top of your head that will cut down your sick-time. And to really drive the point home, the herbal formula Cang Er Zi San drains sinuses without the palpation side effects of Sudafed. If you have chronic sinusitis or seasonal allergies and you're always a bit stuffy, then a few acupuncture appointments will be the best route for you. And you won't only get needles in your face! There are other points on your body that shoot straight up to the sinuses and help your 'constitution' to resolve the chronic sniffles.
Don't be put off of the idea of needles "in your face". Acupuncturists (myself included) spent countless hours learning how to painlessly and safely needle these points! If you're currently suffering from a stuffy nose go ahead and push next to your nostrils and follow up alongside your nose. Mmmmmmm...
I'm not the only one saying it- check out this link for the research http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1530-acupuncture-relieves-rhinitis-prevents-oral-ulcers
