Ear infections
Q: What could be the cause of our son’s recurrent ear infections? Can chiropractic
care help?
A: Young children, especially those under the age of two are the most common sufferers of earache (Otitis Media). Some of the risk factors associated with childhood ear infections are widely known while others may come as a surprise.
The Clinical Practice Guidelines established by the U.S. Government concluded that the following factors can put your infant or child at risk of developing ear infections:
- Bottle-feeding or feeding a child solid foods too early.
- Second hand smoke
- Childcare facilities (germ exposure)
- Dairy products
- Zinc deficiency
Birth trauma is another risk factor that predisposes a child to ear infections. Many parents are unaware that forces of 90 to 120 pounds are exerted on an infant’s spine at delivery. As a result, delicate spinal nerves can easily become stretched and irritated. This nerve stress usually occurs in the upper neck and can subsequently lower the child’s resistance to ear and other infections, especially during the first few years of life.
Chiropractors work to eliminate the nerve irritation, thus strengthening the child’s immune system. Chiropractic adjustments given to infants and children are tailored to be especially gentle, taking into account the child’s size.
Children with ear infections have shown positive results under chiropractic care in several case studies. In addition, the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics recently published a study involving 332 children suffering from earache. The study revealed that the earaches were eliminated in an average of five office visits.
Parents are encouraged to consider chiropractic care for their children in addition to traditional medical care. Chiropractic care is designed to be a non-invasive method to promote natural healing and stronger immunity.