An ear infection can make a parent feel helpless. It is difficult to see a child suffer when it feels like nothing can be done. It is no wonder that ear infections account for a vast number of visits to the pediatrician.
Otitis media is the medical term for an ear infection. Common symptoms that accompany an ear infection include ear pain and a fever. It commonly occurs during childhood. The most common cause of all types of otitis media is blockage of the Eustachian tube. Clinical history is not enough to diagnose the condition, it requires visualization of the tympanic membrane or ear drum. The ear drum often appears red and inflamed.
Traditional medical treatment for otitis media often involves antibiotic therapy or tubes in the ears. Antibiotics may be effective for ear infections that are caused by an bacterial infection but they are useless against viral infections. Viruses are immune to antibiotics. Many ear infections are caused by viruses.
Tubes in the ears involve surgically implanting tubes in the ears to allow drainage of fluid. The anesthesia used for these can be dangerous and risky to the child. The tubes often come out as well.
Chiropractic is a natural approach for otitis media. Parents often bring their children to the chiropractor to help with ear infections because it is effective. To understand how chiropractic helps with ear infections, it is important to look at nerve disturbances that make the ears prone to infection. Chiropractors perform a thorough examination to locate misaligned spinal bones in the neck which cause nerve interference to the ears.
Our bodies are designed to have an amazing capacity to fight infection. When ear infections occur, it often means that the body’s natural ability to fight the infection has been impaired. This is often the result of an impaired nervous system.
The nervous system is the master system in the body that controls all organs and cells in the body, including the ears. The nerves that control the ear begin in the brain stem which is located just below the brain. The brain stem continues to form the spinal cord which is protected by the spine. Nerves exit off the spinal cord and travel between the bones of the spine. This is how the ear gets its nerve supply. When spinal bones become misplaced, it results in nerve interference. When bones in the upper neck are misplaced, it can result in nerve pressure to and from the brain. This can affect the ear and result in an impaired ability of the ear to fight infection.
The nerves that exit the spinal cord also control the muscles around the spine. When there is nerve interference, it often results in muscle spasms of those muscles. This can in turn result in pressure on the tubes in the ear that allow for drainage. This only make the problem worse. Chiropractic is effective in reducing nerve interference. Chiropractic adjustments help to move the spinal bones back into their normal position which takes the pressure off of the nerves.
If you or a loved one are suffering from ear infections, give us a call, we may be able to help.
-Nathan Leavitt DC
