Snoring is a multi-faceted sleep breathing disorder that can be benign so that it only affects the sleeping partner of the one who snores. On the other hand, snoring can also be an indication of a much more serious sleep breathing problem that can be related to a variety of other health disorders such as sleep apnea, obesity, heart health problems and more.
Snoring may be temporary when related to a specific illness such as cold, seasonal allergies or sinus infection. Or snoring may be a long term, chronic problem that pervades life, affect physical health, and can even have a negative impact on relationships. A person who snores chronically (at least three nights a week for three weeks or more) should be seen by a doctor or sleep clinic professional to rule out other health issues that may be related to snoring.
Snoring is the noise that is made during sleep breathing, caused by restriction or blockage of airways in the body. The vibration of the tissues in the throat or nose indicate that the air is not getting through the breathing passages as smoothly as it should. This could be related to a serious health condition, but it might also be completely harmless.
In many cases, doctors will eliminate any serious problems and simply release a person to continue their life without any answers to their snoring problem. This, however, may not be okay with the partners, family, members, or roommates of a person who snores!
Using Massage Therapy for Snoring
People who are looking for a natural form of snoring relief for themselves or their partner may be interested in the benefits provided through massage therapy for snoring.
Most of the time the massage therapy tactics used to help with snoring are related to opening up the breathing passages in the nose and throat. Since the cause of snoring is often restricted nasal passages that lead to mouth breathing and snoring noises, massage therapy for the breathing passages in the nose may help.
People who have congestion in their nose due to seasonal allergies, dust or animal allergies, sinus infection or other stuffiness may be helped through gentle massage on the sinuses. This massage therapy for snoring can be performed on yourself by gently applying pressure to the face around the sides of the nose. Pinching the bridge of the nose with a firm pressure and moving the fingers slowly down the sides of the nose may be helpful. And massaging the forehead where the sinus cavities sit may also help to open up the breathing passages and reduce stuffiness.
Another way that massage therapy may useful in helping with the reduction of snoring could be if your massage therapist can provide treatment that helps with reducing obesity or being overweight. Since people who are overweight or obese are significantly more likely to have problems with snoring, any type of massage therapy that is helpful in stimulating the metabolism and promoting weight loss may also be helpful in reducing snoring.
Can Massage Reduce Snoring?
Because snoring is related to many different causes, there is really no one-size-fits-all cure for this sleep breathing disorder. If your snoring is related to a malformed jaw or deviated septum, then massage is not likely to be of any help. On the other hand, if your snoring is caused by stuffy nose, congestion in the nasal passages, or loose muscle tone in the mouth and neck, massage therapy may be a beneficial treatment to help reduce the severity and consistency of your snoring problems.
Acupressure/Massage Ring for Snoring
One recently discovered technique related to massage and snoring is the use of an anti-snoring ring. This ring works along the lines of acupressure therapy, a Chinese technique of treatment for various health issues that dates back thousands of years. This ring is placed around the pinky finger and is designed to provide the correct amount of pressure to the finger to help reduce snoring.
Ideal use of this ring indicates putting it on at least 30 minutes prior to going to bed and wearing it all night long, every night. One company who makes such acupressure rings for snoring claims that more than 60% of those tested in a trial witnessed a significant reduction in their snoring with the use of the ring. Some companies who make these rings offer a money back guarantee for those for whom the ring does not work.
Massage Therapy for Snoring (with Essential Oils)
One of the ways that massage may effectively reduce snoring is when essential oils are used in conjunction with the massage. Essential oils, such a eucalyptus and peppermint, can help to clear out stuffed up nasal passages and increase a person’s ability to breathe.
If you are using massage therapy as an anti-snoring therapy, let your massage therapist know that you would like to incorporate essential oils in with your therapy in an effort to stop snoring.
If you are using essential oils and massage therapy for snoring on your own, be sure that the oils you use are 100% pure essential oils (not fragrance oils) so that they have powerful healing properties.
You can apply essential oils for snoring by diluting them with a carrier oil and massaging them into the bottoms of the feet. In acupressure, the big toe is especially related to respiratory health and you may benefit from massage there. Essential oils such as eucalyptus or peppermint may also be massaged into the chest or neck in order to open up breathing passages prior to going to sleep.
Here are some of the massage therapy and aromatherapy essential oils that may be used to help reduce snoring:
- Eucalyptus Oil (cuts through mucus and congestion)
- Peppermint Oil (opens up nasal passages)
- Thyme Oil (avoid during pregnancy)
- Marjoram Oil
- Spruce Oil
- Frankincense Oil
- Tea Tree Oil (for sinus infections)
- Sage Oil (for healthy respiratory tracts)
Conclusion
Although most doctors will tell you that there is no cure for snoring, there are certainly natural methods to reduce the volume and frequency of snoring so that you and your partner can sleep again. What works for one person to relieve snoring is different than another, and the best way to determine if massage for snoring will work for you is simply by trying it out!
