Neti Pots

[sundial]

Does it hurt or is it uncomfortable? I would think it would feel like getting water up your nose at the pool or something.

I'm glad to see this discussion because I used a sinus rinse tonight after my ride. I have chronic allergies (but no sinus problems) and I get a little stuffy after riding and usually go to bed with congestion. Then I wake up with more congestion, sneezing, runny nose, the works. I have to tell you I feel a lot of relief and my nose is really clear. I may not have to use my nose spray tonight.

I use NeilMed Sinus Rinse Bottle Kit. I squeeze the bottle ever so gently and a steady stream of water comes out--with the bottle held upright. The bottle cleans the sinuses better than a neti pot in my opinion and comes with premeasured, pH balanced solution that does not sting when irrigating the sinuses. This product is recommended for both allergy and sinus sufferers.

Here's some information provided by NeilMed manufacturer:

Principles of Nasal Irrigation

Allergies and Sinus disease cause excessive mucus production in the nasal passages. Nasal irrigation will wash away the excess mucus and allergens such as pollen, dust particles, pollutants and bacteria and reduce the inflammation of the mucus membrane. A normal mucus membrane will fight infections and allergies better and thus reduce symptoms of sinus disease and allergies.
Neti Pot Principle:

All Neti Pots operate on the principle of gravity. Tilting your head and simultaneously raising the neti pot device allows the solution to flow down the nasal passages due to the effect of gravity. A limitation of all Net Pots is that gravity cannot create sufficient pressure to wash away all the undesirable mucus and nasal irritants. The neti pot is preferred by a small number of users, but it is not as effective or as easy as NeilMed's SINUS RINSE™ positive pressure system.
Positive Pressure bottle system:

This easy-squeeze bottle system allows the user to deliver the solution with sufficient pressure to thoroughly clean the nasal passages. The user has complete control of the pressure and the volume of solution as it enters into the nasal passages, allowing for a gentle, soothing and therapeutic experience. The NeilMed® SINUS RINSE™ system, is the #1 recommended, positive pressure system by ENT and Allergy specialists. There is a consensus among a lot of Ear Nose and throat specialist at leading Medical institutions in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and U.K. that positive pressure nasal irrigation systems provide the most relief to users suffering from allergies and sinus disease.

Wahine --sometimes when I get completely stopped up, I'll find a sauna to sit in and it always seems to help. I wonder if a humidifier would help you.