diane, I should get one of the devices that makes this process easy
cause what I do is a bit disgusting but works once you get used to it. I
take warm salt water to the back of my throat and quickly bend over,
dropping my head, making sure to keep the neck relaxed. The water finds
its own way into the sinus cavity and then back in an upright position I
just gently blow it thru and out my nose. I generally repeat that about
three times. Has always done wonders for me. I have been told that using
one of the devices designed for this procedure is more effective. Sinus
problems are a curse. Mine are genetic and often make me crazy.
johnie

here are various sites about doing it - it's hard to find ones that don't
push a particular product!  People use ear syringes, 60cc syringes or
products specially designed for this purpose.

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/allergiesasthma/a/SinusIrrigation.htm
http://allergies.about.com/cs/treatment/a/aa040802a.htm
http://www.bytheplanet.com/Products/Yoga/Neti/RhinoHorn/userguide.htm

This page has links to other pages (on the same site) that give  more
information on the whole concept
http://www.jalanetipot.com/index.html

this is the product I use, and like, for sinus irrigation.  My brother used
the ear syringe for some time and was happy with it, until I introduced him
to the rhino horn  <beg>.  
http://www.bytheplanet.com/Products/Yoga/Neti/Catalog/netipotcatalog.htm

there are expensive sinus irrigation units you can purchase.  however, it is
cheaper and just as effective to get a netti pot from your local health food
store.  there are many different styles of netti pot.  make sure to take it
out of the box before you buy it, so that you know it is one that will be
comfortable to use in your hand.  sometimes, they come with instructions
inside the box; and sometimes, the instructions are on the shelf itself.

do not use warm water directly from your tap, as it is not pure enough.  buy
a 50 cent jug of distilled water.  do not use sea salt, contrary to some
reccommendations, as it is not as pure as it used to be.  i use non-iodized
salt or sometimes, kosher salt.  depending upon the size of your netti pot,
you will need roughly 1/2 to one whole teaspoon.

depending upon which netti pot you've purchased, you will need roughly a cup
of distilled water, lukewarm.  i nuke it for about 30 seconds, but that also
will depend upon how powerful your microwave is.  do let the molecules
settle out before using it and do test the temperature for your own
comfort's sake.  too cold and it hurts a little; too hot, and of course it
will burn.  add the salt to the warmed water and dissolve it.  then you are
ready to use it.

this takes a little practice, but you will get the hang of it with
experimentation, by tipping your head and leaning until you get the right
position.  keep lots of kleenex handy.

basically, you will lean over a basin or sink (or do this in the shower,
though i don't like to).  you turn your head sideways (i can't do that very
well, so i turn my body).  the spout end of the netti pot is to fit snugly
against your highest nostril and the salted water will pour into it.  it
will then circulate into your sinus cavities and freely flow out of your
lower nostril, if you are doing it correctly.   alternate sides, by then
leaning and tipping your head the other way.  half a pot is poured into each
nostril.

when done, i like to lean forward (as though bending to pick something off
the floor), away from the sink or shower walls so you don't bump your head,
with kleenex against my nose (more water will run out), then stand up and
gently blow.

it won't clean your sinuses totally out on the first try, but after doing it
several times the first day, you will be amazed at the amount of gunk that
is disspelled.  once your sinuses are cleaned out, saline squeeze bottles
will mostly keep them that way (i don't like to swallow the saline solution,
from squeeze bottles, or the gunk).  or just use the netti pot whenever you
need to.

hope that helps.

kate

thanks for all this info! it sounds unpleasant, but you've convinced me to try
it.

diane

I highly recommend using a waterpik with the Dr. Grossan attachment,
read about it here:
http://www.ent-consult.com/faq.html#irrigation

order the tips here, and use with a regular waterpik:
http://www.ent-consult.com/sinusrelief/orderform.html