In a previous article I discussed the pulsating sinus irrigation system using a Water Pik or Hydro Pulse device. This is certainly the system that works best for me, but before finding out about this procedure I tried doing sinus irrigation with a neti pot.

Many ENT doctors recommend using a neti pot for sinus irrigation. This is a vessel that looks somewhat like a small teapot with a long, thin neck. A saline solution is mixed in the pot, and one places the end of the neti pot into a nostril while bending over a sink. To do this one bends over as if looking up to the ceiling. The saline solution can then be poured into one nostril, and the solution will run out the other. The procedure is repeated on the other side.

Personally I did not like the neti pot method. It was a mess to use and I almost had to take my shirt off to keep from getting it wet. More importantly, it also was not effective for me. I find the slow pulsating stream from the water pik method gives far better results than did the quick rush of water from the Neti pot, no matter how slow I tried to pour the solution into my nostrils. It also seems to clean out the nostrils much more thoroughly. Some people say a neti pot works well for them, so it might be worth a try, but I would strongly suggest simply using the pulsating method. Dr. Murray Grossan, in his book "The Sinus Cure- 7 Simple Steps" gives a reason for the superiority of the pulsating system. He explains how sinus cavities are lined with cilia, tiny hairs that move back and forth when sinuses are functioning properly. He states that the pump of a water pik sends out pulses of water that happen to be at about the same frequency at which the cilia function. These pulses can therefore reinforce the movement of the cilia such that they can function properly and move mucus out of sinus cavities and down into our digestive systems, where it is dealt with my stomach acids. The hydro pulse Nasal/Sinus Irrigator does the same thing.

Dr. Grossan explains that cilia can become temporarily or permanently damaged and thus cannot remove mucus from our sinus cavities. This mucus then dries up and causes blockage. Mucus that cannot drain builds up and can easily become infected. It should also be noted that cilia can be permanently damaged by using afrin. As many sinus sufferers are aware, afrin is an over-the-counter product, and the warnings on the label say to use it for only 4 days or less. This medication can damage the cilia in one's sinuses and cause permanent damage if used too much. As frequent users know, there is also an effect called rebound congestion, so after using it you might end up just as congested as when you started. Thus, people are tempted to continue using it, and it is said to become addictive. Dr. Grossan simply recommends that you throw your afrin into the garbage and stay away from it. I have not used it for years now and am glad to be rid of it.

In either method of sinus irrigation one should use a saline solution made from lukewarm water. If the water is too hot or too cold, the procedure will be very uncomfortable, regardless of the method used. Of course the warm water also causes the salt mixture to dissolve more easily and thoroughly than if the water was cool.