Ear infections are very common in young children. It seems like no child can escape childhood without one! Even though this is a common phenomenon, it is not NORMAL. Unfortunately for most kids, an ear infection equates to taking antibiotics to manage the infection within the ear. Science is now understanding that the more antibiotics prescribed to a child, the more health challenges they can face later on. The good news is, not all ear infections have to end with antibiotics! In fact, due to the commonality of them and with the gross overuse of antibiotics by western medical practices, the frequent use of antibiotics to manage ear infections is slowing way down. The more educated we become on holistic methods for ear infections, the less antibiotics we use. Hooray!
Lets start with the anatomy of an ear infection. The ear is made up of separate compartments that allow sound to travel into the outer canal, bounce on the ear drum, and stimulate liquid within the deep canals of the ear (this is oversimplified of course). The middle ear is the common site of infection. The ear is drained by the Eustachian tube which connects the middle ear to the side wall of the throat. It equalizes pressure across the two cavities and opens during activities such as swallowing, yawning or during changes in atmospheric pressure. This tube is responsible for equalizing pressure in the ear and drainage of the ear. Unfortunately, due to it's anatomical positioning, the tube can become blocked or kinked by the soft tissues that surround it. When the ear cannot drain, it becomes susceptible to infection!
Firstly, children fall victim to all infections easily because their nervous system is not fully adapted yet. Secondly, the angle of the Eustachian tube is much flatter. Meaning that gravity does not help the draining process as it does with adults.
Finally, lets talk chiropractic adjustments to help the infections. Specifically what chiropractors feel for in these cases, is tension held in the Upper Cervical spine. This is comprised of the bottom skull bone (Occiput), C1 (Atlas), and C2 (Axis). These bones house the nerves that innervate the muscles of the face and mouth. When there is restricted movement and muscle tension here, the tension puts pressure on the tube's drainage. When these areas of the spine get adjusted, the tube is allowed to open fully and drain! Kids with ear infections can feel the relief within 24 hours. Of course, the best thing to combat ear infection is prevention! Get your kids checked by a chiropractor to see if they have this tension pattern in their spine, which increases the risk of these nasty infections!
https://www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/2019/01/16/resolution-of-chronic-recurrent-bilateral-ear-infections-following-chiropractic-care-in-a-one-year-old-infant-a-case-report-review-of-the-literature/?fbclid=IwAR1nUn3V8tGRlMIptsoYEn7XIf_QdzqbuTcVQcpQOvEuLiBfU1H_Tjipz5s middle ear infections
Monday 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 11:00am & 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday 2:00pm - 6:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 11:00am & 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday CLOSED
Serving the communities of Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Westminster, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach, Garden Grove, Santa Ana
Thrive Family Chiropractic
18141 Beach Blvd Ste 150, Huntington Beach, California 92648