As parents, it makes us feel so helpless. Our child is suffering but there seems little that we can do. No wonder reoccurring ear infections (otitis media) account for a huge number of paediatrician visits. The traditional approaches include:
However, more and more parents are choosing a more thoughtful approach:
A thorough examination to locate, and adjustments to reduce, nerve disturbances that may make the ears prone to infection.
Ear infections aren’t the result of a drug shortage or deformed eustachian tubes! Our bodies have an incredible capacity to fight infection. When that ability is impaired, it means something else is going on.
It surprises many to learn that some of the nerves that control, regulate and monitor the ear begin in the brain stem, continue down the spinal cord and exit out from between the bones of the spinal column.
Changes to the function of the bones in the upper neck can compromise the quality of the nerve signals to and from the brain. Obviously, this can affect the ability of any organ or tissue, in this case your child’s ear, to “defend itself” from infection.
Nerve compromise is often accompanied by abnormal tension to the muscles that support the spine. Besides “protecting” the spine from further compromise, these muscle spasms can exert pressure on nearby lymphatic drainage ducts. This prevents natural drainage, further compounding the problem.
Our approach is simple. When parents bring their child for us to check, we look specifically for distortions in the upper spine. If nerve tension is detected, we gently reduce it with safe and natural chiropractic adjustments. This helps restore nervous system integrity. For a child or infant, this usually requires little more than a light touch with our fingertip at just the right place and direction.
Parents love our approach. We explain everything in advance. Our adjusting approach is safe and results are achieved naturally. Call us today, we’d love to help.
She was also suffering from ear pain and ear discharge related to chronic otitis media which had been present for seventeen months. This condition had resisted several courses of antibiotics as well as surgery to insert tympanostomy tubes (grommets).
Following an examination by a chiropractor, the patient commenced chiropractic care.
Three days after the first adjustment, the ear pain and discharge were substantially reduced. Continued adjustments resulted in both ears being clear of exudate (fluid).
“At the time of this report, the patient had been symptom free for approximately four years”.
This case report supports the view that chiropractic may make a dramatic difference to patients suffering from ear and throat infections.
This research study involved forty-six children aged up to five years. All the chiropractic therapy was provided by a single chiropractor who assessed and adjusted the vertebral subluxations indicated.
Frequency of care consisted of three adjustments per week for one week, then two adjustments per week for one week, then one adjustment per week.
The study showed a link between the chiropractic adjustment and the resolution of ear infections.
93% of all episodes improved, 75% in ten days or fewer and 43% with only one or two treatments.
Factors associated with improvement with the fewest number of treatments included: young age, no history of antibiotic use, initial episode (vs. recurrent) and designation of an episode as discomfort rather than ear infection.
This study also found that children with a history of past antibiotic use were associated with a less favourable outcome.
This research study clearly demonstrates that chiropractic may make a dramatic difference to children suffering from ear infections. The researchers also found that limitation of antibiotic use was also associated with a more favourable outcome.
