Battling stubborn nasal congestion with irritating flu? Doctor shares the best technique to unblock your nose

As winter flu cases rise and viral infections sweep through households, a blocked nose has become an unwelcome companion for many. The season brings festive lights and warm gatherings, yet for countless people even a deep breath feels like a luxury. Instead of the comforting scent of winter spices, what many experience is a stubborn congestion that turns every inhale into a challenge.

A widely shared social media demonstration by chiropractor and YouTuber Dr Alan Mandell, known online as motivationaldoc, has drawn fresh attention to a simple sinus-opening technique that may offer quick relief. His exercise, featured in his recent video, has sparked interest among flu-stricken viewers seeking a natural way to breathe easier.

Why one nostril feels blocked while the other flows freely

Anyone who has battled a cold or flu knows the strange sensation of one nostril suddenly taking over the entire job of breathing. According to Dr Mandell’s explanation in his video, this imbalance often has more to do with sinus pressure and inflammation than the severity of the infection itself. The paranasal sinuses span far beyond the nose, covering areas above the eyebrows, along the nasal bridge and deep beneath the cheekbones. When these hollow chambers swell, airflow becomes restricted, creating the alternating congestion many people find so frustrating.'

The technique to breathe freely

In the video, Dr Mandell highlights the role of the cheekbone, or zygomatic bone, as a key point of pressure. He instructs viewers to press beneath the cheekbone with one thumb while gently pulling the lower part of the ear with the other hand. This physical combination aims to stimulate the sinuses and open the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the nasal passages.

He advises holding this position for ten seconds on each side. The demonstration shows how the maneuver may trigger a sense of drainage or lightness as pressure begins to shift. “You’ll feel that sinus open up,” he says in the clip, while reminding viewers that the four major sinus groups are interconnected and respond collectively to any change in airflow.
The technique ends with a breathing exercise intended to trigger a neurological reflex. Dr Mandell instructs viewers to pinch their nose, take a deep breath, tilt the head back and hold the breath as long as comfortably possible. This action, he explains, sends signals to the brain that help widen the nasal passages. When the breath is finally released, many users describe an immediate sense of clarity.

The approach is not a cure for cold or flu viruses, but Dr Mandell suggests it can offer relief from the suffocating heaviness of congestion that often lingers through the winter months.

When to seek medical care

Health authorities advise caution for those whose symptoms persist. According to NHS guidance referenced in multiple public advisories, individuals experiencing severe congestion, fever or sinus pain that lasts more than a week should consult a doctor to rule out bacterial infections or complications.