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My kid has had ear infection after ear infection...
- bumpandbeyondwi
- Aug 10, 2024
- 3 min read
Ear infections are a common issue, especially among children, but they can affect people of all ages. Conventional treatments usually involve antibiotics or other medications, but some people turn to alternative therapies for relief, including chiropractic care. In this blog post, we'll delve into what ear infections are, how chiropractic care might help, and what the research says about this approach.
Understanding Ear Infections
Ear infections occur when bacteria or viruses invade the middle ear, leading to inflammation and fluid buildup. Symptoms can include:
- Ear pain or discomfort
- Hearing loss
- Fluid drainage from the ear
- Fever
- Irritability in children
There are several types of ear infections, including:
1. **Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear):** Infection of the outer ear canal.
2. **Otitis Media:** Infection of the middle ear, often following a cold or respiratory infection.
3. **Otitis Interna (Labyrinthitis):** Infection of the inner ear, less common but potentially serious.
Traditional treatments typically involve antibiotics for bacterial infections or pain relief for viral infections.
Chiropractic Care and Ear Infections
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those affecting the spine. Chiropractors believe that misalignments in the spine, particularly in the cervical (neck) region, can affect various body systems, including the ears.
Here’s how chiropractic care is thought to be related to ear infections:
1. Improving Eustachian Tube Function: The Eustachian tube helps equalize pressure in the middle ear. Chiropractors propose that misalignments in the cervical spine can affect the functioning of this tube, leading to ear infections. By realigning the spine, chiropractic adjustments are believed to improve Eustachian tube function and reduce infection risk.
2. Enhancing Immune Function: Chiropractic care aims to improve overall body function, including the immune system. A well-functioning immune system might better fight off infections and reduce the frequency or severity of ear infections.
3. Reducing Inflammation: Some chiropractic treatments include techniques that might help reduce inflammation in the body, potentially alleviating symptoms associated with ear infections.
What Does the Research Say?
The evidence supporting chiropractic care for ear infections is mixed. Some studies and anecdotal reports suggest that chiropractic adjustments may help reduce the frequency of ear infections in children and improve overall ear health. For example, a study published in *The Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics* found that chiropractic adjustments could reduce the frequency of ear infections in children, although the sample size was small and the results were not conclusive. There is more research needed on this topic, but here is an example of some research from the ICPA4kids website.
Resolution of Chronic, Recurrent Bilateral Ear Infections Following Chiropractic Care in a One-year-old Infant: A Case Report & Review of the Literature
Paige Sigmon, DC & Joel Alcantara, DC
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ January 14, 2019 ~ Pages 1-5
Abstract
Objective: To describe the care of an infant with a chief complaint of recurrent ear infections and review the current literature.
Clinical Features: A one-year-old infant with a chief complaint of chronic, recurrent ear infections presented for chiropractic care. The child suffered four bilateral ear infections in a period of six months. Medical care consisted of prescribed antibiotics. The ear infections interfered with the child’s sleep and caused extreme irritation in the child’s attitude. A full spine examination revealed subluxations throughout.
Intervention and Outcome: The patient was cared for with toggle recoil/headpiece and Logan Basic. Care frequency was set at 1-2 times per week for 6 weeks and adjusted accordingly for the presence of spinal subluxation. The patient received a total of 9 adjustments over the 6-week period with resolution and non-recurrence of the child’s OM.
Conclusion: This case report adds to the growing literature on the effectiveness of subluxation-based chiropractic care in children presenting with a history of medically diagnosed OM.
Keywords: Pediatric, recurrent ear infections, toggle headpiece, Logan Basic, chiropractic, subluxation, otitis media
For more information on chiropractic and children, please visit:
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