Can Chiropractors Help with Ear Infections?
If you are a parent, you are no doubt familiar with ear infections. Studies show that five out of every six children will experience at least one ear infection by the age of three, and many children suffer from repeated ear infections.
The reason that children are particularly prone to ear infections lies in their growing ear. In young children, the Eustachian tube of the middle ear is short and angled, making it easier for bacteria or a virus to become trapped. From there, the signs and symptoms of an ear infection can develop rapidly.
If your child is suffering from one or more of the following symptoms, they may have an ear infection: fever over 100 degrees, pulling at an ear, interrupted sleeping, unusual amounts of crying, irritability or changes in mood, and lack of response to sounds.
Treating an Ear Infection
There are a number of options when it comes to treating ear infections. Most ear infections clear up on their own, so minimal intervention is often the best option. For a severe infection, your pediatrician might prescribe antibiotics and NSAID’s (for pain relief). However, research has not established a strong success rate in treating ear infections with antibiotics.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
One option you may not have considered for treating an ear infection is taking your child to the chiropractor. More and more researchers are highlighting the tie between chiropractic care, which improves immune response, and a reduced rate of ear infections. The goal of chiropractic care is to assess the spine and make small adjustments to improve the way the nervous system functions. We can also suggest other lifestyle changes to reduce the recurrence of ear infections. And as a mother myself, whose children battled ear infections when they were young, I know how frustrating ear infections can be.
Chiropractic adjustments can help your child live an overall healthier life. For questions or to schedule your first adjustment, give Kennedy Chiropractic a call today!
