Complementary therapeutic practices in patients with chronic sinusitis.

Understanding patient use of alternative and complementary modalities to treat chronic health conditions is an important component to providing holistic care. This study sought to identify traditional and complementary therapies used by patients with chronic sinusitis. Eighty-one percent of patients with chronic sinusitis engaged in physical exercise to relieve symptoms. Additional complementary therapies utilized included herbal therapy (32%), chiropractic therapy (16%), biofeedback (13%), acupuncture (11%), and chelation therapy (7%). Medications were commonly used by patients (60%), especially those with severe symptoms. By recognizing and incorporating effective complementary therapies into care for chronic sinusitis, nurse practitioners may help patients to improve their clinical outcomes.