Adjust Your Thinking About Ear Infections
by: Elizabeth M. Wisniewski BA, CMT, Chiropractic Intern, ATH co-editor of Chiropractic
One of the most common reasons for parents to take their children to
the pediatrician is for chronic ear infections. This accounts for approximately
35% of all childhood visits to the medical doctor. 1 Although often related to a virus, anti-biotics
are prescribed only to cause further damage to the child’s delicate immune
system. This occurs when anti-biotics are over prescribed, killing important
gut flora which makes up approximately 80% of the body’s immune system. If this
is the only course of action during these chronic ear infections your child’s
immune system will only continue to weaken and disease will manifest. Dangerous
anti-biotic resistant bacteria can develop in the child’s body and eventually
spread to others, during future colds. 2
Chiropractic offers a safe, non-drug and non-surgical approach to
health care. In the case of ear infections there is often fluid that builds up
in the middle ear. This fluid temporarily causes “muffled” hearing. The fluid
drains more effectively therefore decreasing the chances for future ear
infections with cervical (neck) adjustments. 3Prominant pediatric chiropractor,
Dr. Peter Fysh explains that fluid is unable to drain in children due to their
horizontally positioned Eustachian tubes. In children these tubes are a shorter
distance, connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat and nose. The
shorter distance coupled with the position of the tubes make it easier for
bacteria and viruses to migrate during a “cold”. When there are misalignments,
or subluxations, in the child’s upper cervical spine the fluid is unable to drain
properly thus creating a breeding ground for future infections. This is why
frequent adjustments during an acute infection and follow up maintenance care
can assist the body in draining the fluid and with the spine properly aligned
prevent future infection. 4 This conservative care is also useful in preventing
the use of tubes that often fail causing increased amounts of scar tissue in
the ear drum leading to hearing loss. It is estimated that 20 to 30% of tubes
are pushed out of the ear drum within several months of the surgery and this
rejection rate leads to multiple surgeries which is dangerous enough on its
own. 4
Recent studies show that children who receive a course of anti-biotics
and those who do not have any anti-biotics both recover in approximately one to
seven days. 2,3 Dr. Joseph Mercola suggests using garlic paste dissolved into
olive oil or breast milk administered through a dropper into the ear every
several hours to reduce the inflammation which is causing pain. 2 These natural
approaches along with chiropractic care will instantly decrease your child’s
pain without the long term side effects of anti-biotics. Natural prevention
through breast feeding, which provides the child with IGA (important to fight
foreign invaders) along with chiropractic care is not only much safer than any
of the other options spelled out above it is also extremely cost effective. 5 Furthermore,
it allows the child to naturally build up its own immune system which is
critical for a healthy child’s development and for the rest of their life!
Regular chiropractic care for you and your entire family is
extremely valuable for long term health. Maintenance adjustments can prevent
illness through enhancing and strengthen the immune system. Research shows that
the nervous system is hardwired into immune system organs therefore it is the nervous
system that controls the immune system. 6 Knowing this, it only makes sense to
have a properly functioning nervous system free from spinal subluxations.
Subluxations in the spine cause interference to the nervous system and the body
is unable to fight off infections naturally. To summarize, a subluxation in the
upper cervical spine can cause interference of the nervous system which
controls the immune system. Structurally these subluxations may even be
impacting the muscles and other soft tissues structures around the ear which
usually help the ear drain when the body is subluxation free. Specific upper cervical
adjustments will allow the body to drain the fluid in the middle ear and
strengthen the immune system therefore preventing future infections. Have your
spine as well as your child’s spine checked regularly for subluxations and go
to the chiropractor if your child presents with the symptoms of an ear
infection. A well adjusted child is not only happier but much healthier
overall!
End Notes
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