Ear Infections and Chiropractic
Commonly referred to as an ear infection, otitis media (OM) is one of the most common childhood illnesses in the world. If you have kids, it's likely you know a thing or two about ear infections. In the United States, five out of six children experience an ear infection by three years old. Children are more prone to ear infections due to their immature Eustachian tube (part of the middle ear), which in infancy and early childhood is shorter and angled. This allows bacteria to more easily access the middle ear. While ear infections are most common in children, adults can experience them as well. Sadly, this shouldn’t be the case because natural remedies and specific, gentle chiropractic adjustments have been shown to help considerably.
Ear pain is the main reason most children visit a chiropractor. Studies have shown that during the birthing process, some infants can develop misalignment in their cervical vertebrae. This misalignment can lead to nerve blockage, which in turn can affect the Eustachian tube. When this tube is blocked, fluid buildup can occur in the middle ear, leading to earaches. Chiropractors can help to realign these vertebrae and get everything flowing back the way it should be.
Helping with ear infections is a lesser known benefit of chiropractic care but it really does work! Chiropractors are often able to keep the entire body healthier by ensuring that the spine rests in its proper position. When it is out of alignment, the entire body suffers, and many believe that this leads to quite an array of negative symptoms. Allowing a chiropractor to keep your children’s spines in alignment may be the key in keeping them healthy and ear infection free!
