Chiropractic & Ear Infections

Recently an article has been published in Pathways Magazine describing the benefits of Chiropractic care for children.  This article focused on ear infections and demonstrated that antibiotics in medicine have been over utilized and unproductive in many cases*.  The American Medical Association recommends a “watch and wait” period before antibiotics are administered.  There are many reasons this is preferred. First of all the infection very likely could be a virus, in which case antibiotics, which only kill bacteria will be useless and all you get are bad side effects.  Secondly, and more importantly in my humble opinion, most bacterial infections are resolved just by having a properly functioning immune system!  I understand the “watch and wait” period is difficult for parents.  We all want to help our children and it’s difficult to see them in pain.  In light of recent studies, many are beginning to recommend you get your child in to see a Chiropractor during the “watch and wait” period to optimize the function of your child’s immune system.
The article goes on to describe the importance of a proper functioning immune system and it’s correlation with the spine, nervous system and Eustachian tube (ear canal).  “Misalignment of the spinal bones can cause undue pulling on the child’s neck muscles creating tension in the Eustachian tubes.  The subsequent dysfunction of these tubes to drain lymphatic fluid causes an increased risk of infection.  The chiropractic adjustment aims to reduce the tension of the misalignments all throughout the body—restoring normal physiology.”   The article goes on “Chiropractic adjustments do not treat the symptom or infection.  They do not suppress or mask the symptom, but instead they allow the body to regain its natural state of function and health.  Infections indicate an overloaded immune system.  The best course of action is to support the body in regaining its balanced immune system.  Treating ear infections with antibiotics can disrupt balance in the body and sometimes creates greater havoc.  This leads to susceptibility to repeated infections.”
This is something I’ve seen over and over again in my practice.  Mom’s struggling to know what to do next, having gone through round after round of antibiotics, tubes, and yet their child suffers from reoccurring ear infections, colds and sinus infections.  Finally, (too often as a last resort!) they wander into my office, in many cases the problem has been allowed to become severe, and it takes several months to a year to see proper results. The outcome depends on how long these misalignments in the spine have been present, how much of an impact they have had on the body as well as the nutrition of the child. 
For example, I had a 6 year old girl enter my office who had suffered from birth with ear infections.  She had gone through roughly 3 rounds of antibiotics each year for the past 3-4 years.  We have seen her for over a year now and she has not needed any antibiotics.  Her case is a great example of the importance of balance.  She was very emotional and anxiety driven.  Her adjustments entailed a very gentle sustained hold to correct misalignments in her spine.  In this child’s case, she was able to overcome illness as well as her anxiety levels.  She is able to tolerate school and independence better, while recovering from her (less frequent) illnesses quickly.
Chiropractic adjustments clear the body of any neuro-spinal interference allowing the child to grow straight, strong and smart!  As the saying goes “as the twig is bent, so grows the tree.”  A crooked tree has a much more difficult time functioning than a straight one, because structure affects function.  
Dr. Kathleen Wiemold
 
*Article reference:
Why Chiropractic Care is Being Recommended for Ear Infections, Issue #49, Family Wellness First.
Author: Janaiah Von Hassel