How Chiropractic Care Can Help Earache and Ear Infections

A pediatrician who determines that a child with an earache has a middle ear infection will generally prescribe antibiotics as a standard course of treatment. New study, however, has determined that such practices are often misguided. The reason for the child’s middle ear infection may not be due to bacteria, and because antibiotics are only effective against bacterial pathogens, frequently there will be no positive result. The reason for this is that numerous cases of middle ear infection can be produced by a virus, and viruses do not respond to antibiotics. This may account for why children develop chronic ear infections.

One of a number of assessments that a chiropractor can make is whether the earache or ear infection is produced by inflamation of the small nerves in the spine, called free nerve endings.

An abnormal tension in the small muscles of the neck is created when these nerve endings are irritated. This muscle tension can place pressure on the lymphatic drainage ducts resulting in inadequate drainage from inside the ear, thus keeping the body from its ability to naturally correct the problem. In addition, balance can also be affected.

Inadequate drainage of lymphatic ducts can be diagnosed by a chiropractor if there is more tension in the neck and paraspinal muscles on the side with the earache. In addition, the chiropractor will palpate to see which spinal vertebrae are either marginally out of alignment or not moving within their normal range. There are a variety of reasons for such aproblem as the consequence of the many bangs, jolts, and falls the majority of children experience growing up. Restoration of normal lymph drainage is most often accomplished with a short series of treatments that include spinal adjustments and manipulation of the neck muscles. If your child is experiencing the pain of an earache or an ear infection, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.

Advanced Research and Guidelines

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ear infection, the most frequent childhood sickness after the common cold, accounts for nearly 30 million doctor visits every year. What’s more, at least 6 million courses of antibiotics are extraneously prescribed for the problem.Not too long ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines for treating pediatric ear inflammation, and expressly recommended a period of “watchful waiting” since, in many cases, infections clear up on their own, without medication.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) endorses the AAP on the guidelines and emphasizes that chiropractic management is a “good first option” for treating ear infection conservatively. “Doctors of chiropractic have been treating children for decades with great success – helping them to avoid painful ear infections, antibiotic overuse and resistance, and ear tube surgery,” said ACA President Donald Krippendorf, DC. “Particularly when dealing with young children, drugs and surgery should be an absolute last resort.”

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