Breathe In, Breathe Out: Yoga’s Healing Touch on Sinusitis-induced Psychological Comorbidities

Abstract

Sinusitis, characterized by inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses, commonly presents with symptoms such as nasal congestion, discharge, facial pain, and headache. The aim of this report is to highlight the potential benefits of Bhastrika (bellows breath) and Jala Neti (nasal cleansing with saline solution) as interventions to alleviate sinusitis-induced psychological comorbidities. This case report focuses on a 26-year-old female patient diagnosed with sinusitis who presented with severe headache, blurred vision, ear pain, and facial discomfort. A comprehensive evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of sinusitis, and the patient expressed a desire for nonpharmacological interventions due to personal preferences and concerns about medication side effects. The patient was prescribed a 6-month intervention comprising Bhastrika and Jala Neti, which involved the practice of bellows breath and nasal cleansing with saline solution. Regular practice of these techniques was observed, and the patient reported significant improvement in self-rated psychological symptoms, including reduced headache frequency, improved vision clarity, decreased ear pain, and alleviation of facial discomfort. These interventions may contribute to the overall improvement in psychological well-being experienced by the patient in this case. Further research is warranted to explore the effectiveness of these interventions in a larger population and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which they exert their therapeutic effects.