With more than 10 million new cases a year, ear infections are the most common reason for a visit to the pediatrician and the 2nd most common reason for surgery in children under 2 years of age (following circumcision). According to the American Chiropractic Association, it is estimated that 50% of children will experience at least one middle ear infection before they are 1 year of age, and 75% of children will experience one before 3 years of age.
Why are they so common?
Babies and young children are very susceptible to ear infections because their Eustachian tubes are shaped differently than their adult counterparts. Children’s Eustachian tubes are horizontal and shortened. This shape makes it easy for bacteria to migrate from the ears and throat into the middle ear space, which causes the fluid to pool in the middle ear.
What can Chiropractic do?
In our office, we see several children each week who suffer with chronic ear infections. Many of these children have taken multiple rounds of antibiotics or have gone through surgery, still with no success.
Luckily, chiropractic care can help! Gentle chiropractic adjustments to the Atlas (the top bone in the neck) and the Occiput (base of the skull) allow fluid in the middle ear to drain, which boosts the body’s immune system. By strengthening the body’s ability to fight the infection naturally, the child is able to recover faster and prevent future ear infections. In fact, a recent research study showed that after receiving a six-month series of chiropractic adjustments, nearly 80% of the children treated were free of ear infections.
This means of healing is a safe and effective alternative to treating ear infections in babies and young children. If your child is suffering with ear infections, please call Blossom Family Chiropractic with any questions or to make an appointment.
