Frequently Asked Questions
About The Sinus Ninja Treatment™
Q: What is The Sinus Ninja Treatment™?
Sterile swabs soaked with all-natural plant essences of red thyme, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint are placed gently and expertly inside the nose, close to the sinus openings. These essences are naturally antimicrobial and are extracted by chemical-free distillation in an FDA inspected facility1. The nose and sinuses are allowed to drain, instantly reducing pain, pressure, and congestion.
Q: What conditions does it treat?
- Sinus pain and pressure – relieves acute and chronic sinusitis.
- Nasal congestion – by removing sticky mucous plugs.
- Seasonal allergies – Spring/Summer, Fall, or year-round.
- Chronic sneezing and sniffling – by removing debris and irritants.
- Chronic runny nose/post nasal drip – by reducing inflammation.
- Reduces frequency and severity of sinusitis episodes.
- Reduces frequency and severity of colds and flus.
- Removes airborne particulates – wildfire smoke, dust, pet dander
Q: What does it feel like?
Clients report a tingly, cooling sensation during swab placement. The swabs are about half the thickness of a normal Q-tip®, ensuring maximum comfort. Once the swabs are placed, a feeling of deep relief is experienced as the nose and sinuses start to open. Clients report release of that “stuck, congested feeling” they may have been living with for weeks to years. Many of our clients say things like, “I was nervous about the swabs going in my nose, but the feeling of relief is worth it!”
Q: What does it cost?
We say at Sinus Ninja: the cost of living with sinus pain and pressure is far more than the $85 clients spend for a treatment. Lost time at work and downtime away from family, friends and enjoyable activities are some of the things clients tell us they used to miss most. But, no longer. After a one time First Treatment fee of $175, maintenance treatments are just $85.
Q: Why do I need it?
Years of debris build-up, biofilm layering, and organism growth often lead to distressing chronic sinus problems. The nasal passages are constructed as a series of complex turns and spirals (turbinates). Bacteria, viruses, allergens, molds, pollens, and biofilms often get caught in there. The Sinus Ninja Treatment™ naturally and effectively removes these. Before finding us, clients are routinely treated with drug therapies that become ineffective over time and just “cover up” the underlying problem. Sinus Ninja says, “Why keep spraying Lysol® on the trash in your home when you should just take it out?”
Q: How often do I need it?
When drainage happens, the nose and sinuses feel better. When we do the treatment regularly, the nose and sinuses will stay and keep getting better. There are clients who book a treatment when they have or feel like they’re starting to feel sinus pain and pressure. One treatment plus one follow up may be all that’s needed. There are others with more chronic sinus problems who come in weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly thereafter for maintenance.
Q: When can I get in?
Sinus Ninja has up to 12 bookings available daily. Capacity is never a problem. More days and times are added during high demand seasons, like Spring, Winter, and Fall.
Q: Do you take my insurance?
No. The insurance world tends to lag behind in their coverage of safe, effective, naturopathic treatments. Though the cost-effectiveness of nose and sinus hygiene and prevention makes sense, third party payers (insurance plans and Medicare) are not covering The Sinus Ninja Treatment™ at this time. We do everything we can to keep the cost of treatment manageable. We accept credit cards, and cards from Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s). Note that when you get to online scheduling, you will be asked to pre-pay for your treatment visit. This is to avoid the manual exchange of cards after your treatment.
Q: Who performs the treatment? And, what if I need a prescription sinus medication?
Q: Is Sinus Ninja following “standard of care" practices to treat my sinusitis?
Yes. Any physician in general practice will treat sinusitis independently (without referral to a specialist) using drug therapies first. Like other family practice doctors, Sinus Ninja treats clients independently but uses the all-natural Sinus Ninja Treatment™ first. Like antibiotics and steroids, The Sinus Ninja Treatment™ seeks to accomplish two things: (1) reduce the number of pathogens in the nose and sinuses, and (2) reduce inflammation. These are the twin “standard of care” goals when treating acute and chronic sinusitis. In addition to doing this more naturally and less invasively, The Sinus Ninja Treatment™ offers the added therapeutic potential of opening the sinus ostia (outflows). For you this means immediate reduction of sinus congestion and pain. Also, The Sinus Ninja Treatment™ seeks to increase the sweeping motion of tiny hairlike projections (cilia) in the nose and sinuses. With maintenance treatments, your nose and sinuses will be able to better use this natural sweeping mechanism to clear stuff out on their own. All this said, if after a reasonable amount of “therapeutic journeying” it becomes necessary to use drug therapies or get a surgical consult, you and Sinus Ninja can discuss next steps.
Q: Why not just use antibiotics and steroids and medicines like Benadryl®, Astelin®, Claritin®, Zyrtec®, Allegra®, Afrin®, Flonase®, Nasonex®, and others?
Clients know that chronic use of antibiotics, steroids, antihistamines, decongestants, and other sinus drugs can leave them feeling “wired and tired” and just cover up the problem. Nasal steroid and decongestant sprays are addicting and create lifelong dependence. They are also known to cause nosebleeds, crusting, and nasal dryness. In contrast, The Sinus Ninja Treatment™ is moisturizing and actually prevents crusting even when steroid sprays are being used. It also makes sense that the cost of regular Sinus Ninja Treatments™ is far less than the lifetime cost of buying over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Q: Are the effects of The Sinus Ninja Treatment™ permanent?
Health is an ongoing journey. Sinus health is no exception. Clients tell us that treatments “hold” for several weeks. Just like brushing and flossing your teeth, hygiene is never just a “one and done” process. We need to continually remove the debris, irritants, and biofilms that are causing our chronic sinus symptoms. With monthly treatments, Sinus Ninja has helped hundreds of clients find a permanent, natural solution to their sinus trouble.
Q: Do I need to bring medical records? Are there any forms to fill out before my visit?
No, there’s no need to bring any medical records, CT scan reports, etc. Before scheduling online, you will be asked to complete and submit an online form. This includes a text box to tell us about your nose and sinus problem.
Q: Do you treat children?
From our experience, The Sinus Ninja Treatment™ is best tolerated in clients 12 and over. You and your child can watch the treatment video and decide if it’s something they’d like to try.
Q: What can I expect during my 25-minute treatment?
Clients are escorted to a serene treatment space and seated comfortably in a massage chair. After a brief consult and gentle exam of the nose and sinuses, clients are invited to place their face into a covered, cushioned face cradle. While enjoying relaxing music, nebulized (fine mist) vapors4 are inhaled using a mask that covers the nose and mouth. These vapors are designed to open the upper airways and produce a soothing effect on the nose and sinus passages.
Next, specially designed sterile swabs are soaked in microbicidal botanical essences5 are gently placed into the nasal passages. A soothing all-natural balm6 is also used to ensure easy swab placement. After the swabs are in place (2 per nostril), clients report “fullness” that quickly disappears. What does it smell like? Clients report that the aroma is deeply “calming” and “refreshing.” The microbicidal swabs remain in place for about seven minutes allowing for nose and sinus drainage from the nostrils. Nasal flow often includes pathogens (viruses, bacteria), allergens (grasses, pollens, trees, molds), and particulates (dust, pollution). Nasal secretions on the swabs are examined visually for signs of illness. During the last few minutes of drainage, respiratory-specific trigger points on the upper back are briefly stimulated to further enhance drainage and offer a relaxing finish. After swab removal, clients report an immediate sense of relief often remarking on the glorious feeling of “coolness” and “weightlessness” in the nasal passages.
Footnotes
- Aura Cacia®, Quality Statement (2020)
- Naturopathic physicians are licensed by the Washington State Department of Health to diagnose and treat illness pursuant to Chapter 18.36A RCW
- Antibiotics and/or steroids are prescribed judiciously, and only in conjunction with The Sinus Ninja Treatment™. The Sinus Ninja Treatment™ more often than not clears sinus pain and pressure without drugs. What’s more, medications tend to work far better when done in tandem with The Sinus Ninja Treatment™. There is a $35 Prescription Call-In Fee, per call. This is far less costly than a traditional doctor’s visit. This fee is in addition to any out of pocket expense for the actual drug cost charged by your pharmacy or incurred by your insurance plan. Sinus Ninja is committed to prescribing lower cost generics whenever possible, which is most of the time. Your clinician at Sinus Ninja will call prescriptions in to the pharmacy of your choice once you follow the instructions on the Prescription Call-In Fee page. Alternatively, clients may decide to visit their family physician to secure a prescription as indicated.
- The nebulizer solution contains 0.9% sodium chloride (salt), xylitol (a sugar alcohol that reduces biofilm adhesion), and a pharmaceutic-grade extract of garlic (allicin). For extra antiviral activity, a few drops of an all-natural silver hydrosol is added. And no, it will not cause you or your nose to turn blue.
- All-natural plant essences of red thyme, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint have been used traditionally and effectively in naturopathic practice to treat the nose and sinuses.
Organic, fair-trade shea butter is used to moisturize, and makes swab placement more comfortable.
First Treatment
40 minutes-
Required for NEW clients
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Brief chat about your sinus problem
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Please arrive 10 minutes ahead
Follow-Up Treatment
25 minutes-
For returning clients
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Brief check-in about your sinus problem
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Please arrive 5 minutes ahead
