If you find yourself constantly clearing your throat, reaching for tissues throughout the day, or waking up with mucus draining down the back of your throat, you may be dealing with chronic rhinitis — and standard medications may not be giving you the lasting relief you need.
The Rhinaer procedure is a minimally invasive, in-office treatment designed specifically for patients who have not found adequate control through nasal sprays, antihistamines, or allergy therapy. At ENT, Sinus & Hearing Care Center in Paramus, NJ, Dr. Daniel Samadi evaluates patients with persistent nasal symptoms to determine whether Rhinaer is an appropriate next step.
What Is Chronic Rhinitis?
Chronic rhinitis is persistent inflammation of the nasal lining that causes ongoing symptoms regardless of season or environment. It falls into two broad categories:
Allergic rhinitis is triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold, or pet dander. The immune system overreacts to these substances, causing the nasal lining to swell and produce excess mucus.
Non-allergic rhinitis produces the same symptoms — runny nose, nasal congestion, and post-nasal drip — but without an identifiable allergic trigger. It can be provoked by temperature changes, strong odors, dry air, or hormonal shifts. This form is particularly frustrating because standard allergy treatments often provide little benefit.
Both types involve overactivity of the posterior nasal nerve, which regulates mucus production and nasal blood flow. When this nerve is persistently overstimulated, symptoms become chronic and difficult to manage with medication alone.
Why Medications Often Fall Short
Nasal corticosteroid sprays, antihistamines, saline irrigation, and decongestants are useful tools, but they treat the symptoms rather than the underlying nerve activity driving them. When patients stop using these medications, symptoms typically return.
For many patients, years of daily nasal sprays become the norm — not because the sprays are fixing anything, but because stopping them means the symptoms come back immediately. Others find that their non-allergic rhinitis simply does not respond well to allergy medications at all.
This is the gap the Rhinaer procedure was designed to fill.
What Is the Rhinaer Procedure?
The Rhinaer procedure is a post-nasal drip surgical procedure in the sense that it involves a targeted intervention inside the nose — but it requires no incisions, no general anesthesia, and no operating room. It is performed entirely in the office using a small handheld device developed by Aerin Medical.
The device delivers low-temperature radiofrequency energy to the tissue surrounding the posterior nasal nerve. This controlled energy application remodels the nerve tissue, reducing its hyperactivity without damaging surrounding structures. The result is less mucus overproduction and reduced nasal congestion.
Think of it as adjusting the signal rather than removing the source entirely. The nose continues to function normally — producing necessary moisture and filtering air — but the exaggerated, chronic response is significantly dialed down.
How the Procedure Works, Step by Step
The Rhinaer procedure is straightforward and typically completed within 15 to 20 minutes.
Before anything begins, a topical numbing gel is applied inside the nasal passages to ensure patient comfort. No injections or sedation are required. Patients remain awake and comfortable throughout.
Once the numbing takes effect, Dr. Samadi inserts the Rhinaer wand gently into the nasal cavity. The wand delivers precisely controlled radiofrequency energy to the targeted areas along the posterior nasal nerve pathway, including the inferior turbinates where much of the swelling and mucus activity originates. Each side of the nose is treated in approximately seven minutes.
After the procedure, patients rest briefly and are then free to drive themselves home. There is no hospital stay and no recovery room.
What to Expect After Rhinaer Post-Nasal Drip Therapy
The days immediately following the procedure feel similar to a mild head cold. Temporary congestion and some increased mucus are normal as the treated tissue heals. This typically resolves within three to four days.
Patients are given saline rinse instructions to keep the nasal passages clean during the healing period. A follow-up appointment at around 10 days allows Dr. Samadi to check healing and clear any minor crust or debris that may have formed in the treated area.
Most patients begin noticing meaningful improvement in their symptoms between two and six weeks after the procedure. Runny nose, post-nasal drip, and congestion all tend to improve progressively as the tissue remodeling takes full effect.
Clinical studies on Rhinaer have shown that a significant majority of patients report substantial reduction in symptom severity, with many able to reduce or eliminate their dependence on daily nasal medications.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Rhinaer is most appropriate for patients who meet the following criteria:
- Diagnosed with chronic allergic or non-allergic rhinitis
- Experiencing persistent runny nose, post-nasal drip, or nasal congestion for three months or more
- Have tried nasal sprays, antihistamines, or allergy therapy with insufficient or short-lived results
- Are medically suitable for an in-office procedure
Patients whose rhinitis is primarily caused by a structural issue — such as a severely deviated septum or nasal polyps — may need to address those problems first or in combination. A thorough nasal examination during the consultation will clarify whether Rhinaer alone or a combined approach is best suited to your situation.
Rhinaer is not intended as a first-line treatment. It is most valuable for patients who have already worked through conventional options and are looking for something more durable.
Rhinaer vs. Continuing Medication
The most common question patients ask is whether the procedure is worth it compared to simply continuing their current medication routine.
The answer depends on how much the symptoms are affecting daily life and how well medications are working. For patients who are genuinely well-controlled on a nasal spray with no side effects and no quality of life impact, continuing medication is perfectly reasonable.
For patients who are still symptomatic despite medication, who dislike the ongoing commitment of daily sprays, or whose non-allergic rhinitis is not responding to allergy-focused treatment, Rhinaer offers something medications cannot: a structural change that addresses the nerve activity driving the symptoms rather than simply masking them.
Insurance coverage for Rhinaer varies by plan. Medicare covers the procedure in many cases. Our team assists patients with insurance verification before the procedure is scheduled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rhinaer painful?
Most patients experience minimal discomfort. The topical numbing gel applied beforehand is generally effective, and the radiofrequency energy used is low-temperature by design. Some patients feel mild pressure or warmth during treatment.
How long do the results last?
Results vary, but many patients experience sustained improvement for several years. A small number of patients benefit from a repeat procedure over time as nerve activity gradually returns.
How soon can I return to work?
Most patients return to normal activities the following day. The mild post-procedure congestion does not typically prevent daily tasks.
Does Rhinaer treat post-nasal drip specifically?
Yes. Post-nasal drip is one of the primary symptoms addressed by this post-nasal drip therapy, as excess mucus production is directly linked to posterior nasal nerve hyperactivity — the target of the procedure.
Schedule a Rhinitis Consultation in Paramus, NJ
If chronic nasal symptoms have become part of your daily routine and you are ready to explore a longer-term solution, Dr. Samadi and the team at ENT, Sinus & Hearing Care Center are here to help.
Schedule a consultation to find out whether the Rhinaer procedure is right for you. Same-day and next-day appointments are available.
📞 (201) 996-1505 | 10 Forest Ave, Suite 100, Paramus, NJ 07652
