Ear Infections - Yes they are common, but are they Normal?!

With approximately 10 million new cases every year, ear infections (aka otitis media) are the most common illness affecting babies and young children and the number one reason for visits to the pediatrician—accounting for more than 35% of all paediatric visits. 

Almost 1/2 of all children will have at least 1 middle ear infection before they're a year old, and 2/3's of them will have had at least 1 such infection by the age of 3. The symptoms can include ear pain, fever, and irritability. Ear infections can be either bacterial or viral in origin, and frequently result from another illness such as a common cold. For many children,  ear infections can become a chronic problem, requiring treatment year after year, and putting the child at risk of permanent hearing damage and associated speech and developmental problems. 

Standard treatment for most ear infection cases is with antibiotics, which may be effective if the culprit is bacterial (antibiotics, of course, do nothing to fight off viruses). But, according to many research studies, antibiotics are often not much more effective than the body's own immune system. And repeated doses of antibiotics can lead to drug-resistant bacteria that scoff at the drugs, while leaving the child screaming in pain. 

Viva, Chiropractic!! 

Chiropractic is based on the principle that the body can heal itself, provided there is no interference.  Chiropractors evaluate the spine segmentally, and as a unit (how it moves as one). If a vertebrae has become misaligned (aka subluxated), it may reduce nerve impulses from the spinal cord to the the rest of the body including every organ, muscles & tissue.   It may also block important structures.  

In the case of ear infections, we commonly see that the first cervical vertebrae (C1 or Atlas) becomes subluxated.  When this happens, it can block the eustachian tube which connects the middle ear to the nose. This causes fluid to accumulate in this space, resulting in inflammation, and eventually an ear infection. While medications may help in the short-run to kill the bacteria, If the CAUSE (misalignment of C1) is never corrected, you may end up with repeated chronic ear infections. 

So why not try Chiropractic? It's easy & safe for anyone of any age.  As a Chiropractor, at Aurora Integrative Medical, I begin each patient with a history and examination to check the spine, looking specifically for distortions in the upper cervical spine.  If nerve tension is detected, I gently correct it with an adjustment. This helps to restore nervous system integrity and promote healing.  For an infant or child, this usually requires little more than a light touch with with my fingertip at just the right place and in the right direction. For more information on Chiropractic please visit my website at www.drambereckel.com