Image of a child's ear

Ear Infections

It’s horrible watching our children suffer, there seems so little we can do.  No wonder reoccurring ear infections (otitis media) account for a huge number of pediatrician visits.

The traditional treatments for ear infections include:

  • Antibiotic therapy: This may be effective for acute bacterial infections, but many cases are viral, for which antibiotics are useless.
  • Tubes in the ears: Surgical implantation of artificial drainage tubes require the administration of a risky anesthesia and then, they often come out!

However, more and more parents are choosing chiropractic care as a more thoughtful approach.  A thorough examination locates nerve disturbances that may make the ears prone to infection. A series of gentle adjustments can reduce these disturbances.

Ear infections aren’t the result of a drug shortage or deformed Eustachian tubes!  Our bodies have an incredible capacity to fight infection.  When that ability is impaired, it means something else in going on.

Nerve Compromise

It surprises many to learn that some of the nerves that control, regulate and monitor the ear begin in the brain stem, continue down the spinal cord and exit out from between the bones of the spinal column.

Changes to the function of the bones in the upper neck can compromise the quality of the nerve signals to and from the brain.  Obviously, this can affect the ability of any organ or tissue, in this case your child’s ear, to “defend itself” from infection.

Impaired Drainage

Nerve compromise is often accompanied by abnormal tension to the muscles that support the spine.  Besides “protecting” the spine from further compromise, these muscle spasms can exert pressure on nearby lymphatic drainage ducts.  This prevents natural drainage, further compounding the problem.

How We Treat Ear Infections

Our approach is simple.  When parents bring their child for us to check, we look  specifically for distortions in the upper spine.  If nerve tension is detected, we gently reduce it with safe and natural chiropractic adjustments.  This helps restore nervous system integrity.  For a child or infant, this usually requires little more than a light touch with our fingertip at just the right place and direction.

Parents love our approach.  We explain everything in advance.  Our gentle chiropractic adjusting approach is safe and results are achieved naturally.  Give us a call, or stop in at out New Paltz, NY office, we’d like to help.