Alternative therapies Washington - Arabstoday Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles say adding alternative therapies to modern medical treatments can help patients with chronic sinusitis. A preliminary study involving 11 men and women suffering from sinusitis showed that eastern traditional treatments can relieve inflammation of sinuses and symptoms such as facial pain and breathing problems. Using nasal corticosteroid sprays, nasal irrigation and even surgical intervention is required in such cases, while some patients still remain debilitated after all those treatments. In their latest study scientists gave participants eight weekly acupuncture sessions, and acupressure massage and self-administer acupressure at home. Patients also received nutritional guidance based on traditional Chinese medicine and directions about stress management and regular exercise. According to the results published in the Archives of Otolaryngology, traditional treatment methods significantly improved the participants’ quality of life, ability to concentrate while reducing frustration, restlessness symptoms such as runny noses, sneezing, and pain. “Our study was small, looking at a handful of patients who were not benefiting that well from standard treatment," said lead researcher Dr. Jeffrey Suh of the University of California, Los Angeles. “My take on alternative treatments is that Western medicine is effective for the majority of patients," Dr. Suh added. “But for those who don't get complete relief, adding in a more holistic Eastern approach that includes exercise, improved sleep, a better diet, and acupuncture and self-administered acupressure seems to provide an alternative that can have great benefit."