• Over 10 million new cases of ear infections are reported every year, and ear infections are the most common illness affecting babies and young children, accounting for more than 35 percent of all pediatric visits in the United States.
• Nearly 80 percent of the children treated with chiropractic therapy were free of ear infections after six months of visits.
• Many chiropractors believe there is a strong link between the birthing process and the risk of developing an ear infection. Researchers believe that the cervical vertebrae can become misaligned as the baby moves through the birthing canal, thus resulting in excess fluid buildup in the middle ear. This excess fluid buildup increases the risk of an ear infection throughout the child’s formative years, and antibiotics are not always effective at treating the condition.

Ear infections in children are often treated with antibiotics and surgery, but research shows that chiropractic therapy may also be an effective treatment option for infants and toddlers. Antibiotics may not be as effective as the body’s own immune system for warding off any viruses, and surgery can be risky. Many parents now consider chiropractic therapy to help children with chronic ear infections, and there are several studies that support the theory that chiropractic treatment can help improve the condition.

A combination of upper-cervical manipulation and adjustments of the first vertebra of the neck are commonly used to treat chronic ear infections in children.  Chiropractic mobilizes drainage of the ear in children, and if they can continue to drain without a buildup of fluid and subsequent infection, they build up their own antibodies and recover more quickly.  Infants and toddlers may benefit from adjustments either every day or every other day depending on the severity of their condition, and then follow a maintenance treatment program to reduce the risk of a relapse.

Conventional pediatric practice focuses on prescribing treatment interventions once a child's symptoms have already appeared. Non-conventional approaches concentrate on preventing the development of inflammation and infection and attempt to evaluate the causes that contribute to their presentation. In addition, non-conventional approaches use remedies and interventions that facilitate the body's natural healing abilities in a nourishing way in an attempt to avoid suppressing the inherent healing mechanisms that are present in the body. Often, elimination of the factors that are known to contribute to the development of the underlying symptoms is sufficient to treat the problem(s) without introducing additional remedies. This is especially true when it comes to ear pain and ear inflammation.

If your child gets an ear infection on a recurring basis, or is experiencing discomfort from a chronic ear infection, they may be a good candidate for chiropractic care. Set up a consultation with your chiropractic doctor to discuss the options and benefits of chiropractic therapy for your infant or toddler.


Sources:

http://www.acatoday.org/
http://www.masschiro.org/
http://www.healthychild.com/
http://www.icpa4kids.org/research/articles/childhood/Listening_with_A_Different_Ear.htm
http://www.locateadoc.com/articles/chiropractic-treatment-for-ear-infections-in-children-2018.html