Chronic ear infections from infection of the middle ear a.k.a. otitis media is a condition where the middle ear is inflamed due to a bacterial or viral infection and can result in other illness as well such as a cold. The inflammation caused by the bacteria or viral infection causes and increase in fluid behind the ear drum causing the inside of the ear to get inflamed. This will cause ear pain, fever and irritability. Statistics show that almost half of all infants will have an ear infection before their first birthday. Two/Thirds of children will have one by the age of three.
For many children it can become a recurrent problem requiring treatment yearly which puts the child at risk of permanent hearing damage and speech development problems. The reason for this recurrence is due to improper drainage of the lymph system in the neck. At birth the eustachian tubes sit horizontal by the ears and require proper muscle function and movement in the neck in order to help pump the fluid thru the lymph system. As the baby grows and becomes an adult those eustachian tube are pulled at a downward angle which helps with drainage naturally hence less common to see in adults. The other factor is a muscle at the back of the throat that blocks bacteria and viruses from entering the openings to the ear canals if not functioning properly can open the canal to infection. Children also spend more time laying down then adults which gives a greater chance for fluid to build. When fluid does build it creates a warm moist environment which is a perfect breeding ground for the bacteria or virus and thus the infection happens.
Based on the explanation above the root cause of otitis media is mechanical in nature in which there is blocked or reduced drainage of the lymph system or a failure of the small muscle in the throat that allows bacteria or virus to invade the canal. Therefore, it would make sense to try to fix the mechanical failure as opposed to killing the bacteria or virus with antibiotics.
The typical medical approach is to prescribe medication/antibiotics and kill the bacteria or virus which will reduce inflammation and pain. The problem is that this method does not address the lymph drainage, so you still have fluid behind the ear creating that warm moist environment for the next bug to come and create a repeating infection. This can repeat time and time again until it is determined that surgery is needed in which tubes are put in the ears to drain the fluid. The tubes are then pushed out after a couple of months and hopefully the hole in the ear drum closes without too much scar tissue. The problem is that this still does not address the mechanical function of the lymphatics, muscles and nerves.
Another approach is chiropractic care. Thru the chiropractic adjustment and finding and removing subluxations, which are misalignments in the spine that affect proper function and nerve flow in the body, normal movement and function in the body can be restored. Chiropractic has had a long history of helping children with Otitis media and by restoring proper function in the body allowing the body’s own immune system to work to take care of the bacteria or virus. In most cases otitis media can be significantly reduced or eliminated in most children without the use of drugs or surgery.
Some commonly asked questions associated with chiropractic and otitis media:
How fast will I see results from the chiropractic adjustment on my child with otitis media?
Each case is different as everyone has different severity of subluxation dysfunction. In many cases people will begin to see results after one or two visits, more severe cases it may take about 6 visits to start seeing real change, but again you will need to get looked at by your chiropractor to determine the best course of care for your child.
How does chiropractic adjustments help with chronic ear infections?
Chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment of the vertebrae that is subluxated. This restores proper function of the muscles and nerves of the neck which allows for muscle to contract properly with normal movements of the neck, which causes lymph drainage to pump thru ear canal more easily thus removing the warm, moist environments that bacteria and viruses need to grow.
Does Chiropractic cure otitis media?
The answer to this is that the body heals itself when allowed to function properly. Chiropractic does not cure illness; it restores proper function in your body so that the immune system can do its job and get the body health and or keep the body healthy. This is done by removing subluxations or misalignments in the spine that are putting pressure on the nerves which affect the muscle and organs and cells that they go to. Chiropractic is really important for helping to keep a body in balance and allowing for optimal function in the body.
If you know someone who is having issues with otitis media, please have them give Actus Chiropractic a call. We will take time to answer questions you have or to schedule you or your child for their first visit. You can also go to my website at www. Actuschiropractc.com and set up you appointment on the schedule today.