Chiropractic and Ear Infections
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than five million children suffer from chronic ear infections, resulting in 30 million doctor visits and more than 10 million antibiotic prescriptions annually. 50% of antibiotics prescribed for preschoolers are for ear infections.
Symptoms of ear infections may include mild discomfort, irritability, fever or severe pain.
Nearly half of all children will have at least one ear infection before their first birthday, and two-thirds will have had one of these infections in their first three years of life.
Frequent ear infections are the second leading cause of surgery in children under two years of age, after circumcision.
Antibiotics and ear infections
Ear infections with fluid accumulation do not require antibiotics.
In fact, a study of 3,600 children showed that children who did not take antibiotics had a higher recovery rate than those who took antibiotics. Despite this clear advice, many pediatricians continue to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics for the treatment of ear infections.
When antibiotics are unsuccessful in treating ear infections or if a child has many infections, specialists often decide to perform a myringotomy and tympanostomy or implant drainage tubes.
Chiropractic and Ear Infections
Misalignments of the first two bones of the neck, often caused by birth trauma, have been shown to affect the ability to open and close the eustachian tube properly.
This creates an environment conducive for bacteria to multiply in that area, and therefore be more prone to chronic infections.
Before questioning whether or not antibiotics will work, or before subjecting him to a drastic surgical procedure, consider the option of an upper cervical checkup. It's a non-invasive way to help your child with his chronic ear infection. One study reveals that after receiving a series of upper cervical corrections, 80% of children were free of ear infections.
Upper cervical care allows the ear to open and drain, which allows the body to become resistant to accumulating fluid and creating infection. Many children develop their own antibodies and recover naturally without the use of antibiotics.
