Olfactory dysfunction without runny nose or congestion
symptom
After receiving treatment at an ENT clinic for suspected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, the runny nose and nasal congestion improved, but the sense of smell remained completely lost. Despite the symptoms in the nasal cavity subsiding, the inability to smell anything and the inability to taste food significantly interfered with daily life.
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Visitors
Male
40's
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Period
February 2024 - March 2025
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Visit Frequency per week
1
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Number of Visits
6
Treatment and progress
At the initial consultation, muscle tension in the back and difficulty breathing were observed. Treatment was performed on acupressure points in the shoulders, back, and hands, but no clear change was seen after the first session. Subsequently, focusing on coldness in the lower abdomen, treatment shifted to acupressure points in the feet, and gradual signs of improvement began to appear. After the fourth treatment, a temporary return of the sense of smell was observed. After that, the patient contracted influenza and experienced a large amount of nasal discharge, but the symptoms improved. Before the sixth treatment, it was reported that the sense of smell had fully recovered.
Acupressure points used
Summary
In this case, a systemic approach was attempted for olfactory dysfunction that did not improve with conventional ENT treatment. A notable feature is the gradual improvement observed after focusing on coldness in the lower abdomen and performing treatment using acupressure points on the feet. Furthermore, the large amount of nasal discharge due to influenza infection may have contributed to the symptom improvement. This case demonstrates the importance of addressing not only localized issues but also the overall systemic condition in acupuncture treatment for olfactory dysfunction.
