Abbey Ryan
Looking for a quick and easy way to unblock a stuffy nose? A fascinating hack on social media promises to accomplish exactly that. The best part about it is you don’t need any special tools.
All you need to unstop your nose is a simple facial massage method that only takes a few seconds.
The method, created by James Moore, a licensed massage therapist, uses pressure to unblock the nose. In the video, Moore begins by applying pressure on one nostril to block it. Then, he applies gentle pressure right below his cheekbone and breathes. So, does it work?
@moorewellness Clear your stuffy nose in seconds #nose #congestion #selfcare #sinus
♬ Chill Vibes - Tollan Kim
While some users in the comments claim it’s successful, some medical professionals say there isn’t much scientific evidence to support the use of sinus acupressure. Moore, however, explained the technique to Shape saying his hack releases the sinuses, allowing them to drain.
“When [you] have sinus pressure and pain, the sinuses and muscles just next to the nose can become tender and tight,” Moore said to Shape. “By moving the nose over, and then massaging these spots, it brings more blood flow and circulation to the face.”
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The neti pot is another common way to relieve pressure.
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Shape also spoke with Nicole Aaronson, M.D. who said sinus acupressure is not a proven method… but it has yet to be disproven. In fact, Aaronson said the infraorbital nerve runs along the area featured in the video, and stimulating it could change the sensation in the nose providing relief.
It’s worth noting that there are a lot of remedies for treating cold symptoms, so while this method may be a quick fix for a stuffy nose, stay gentle with your face and don’t expect it to cure you completely.
