Honolulu Chiropractor

Earache is the most widespread basis for office visits to pediatricians. More than 70 percent of children will have had a minimum of one earache by the age of three, and nearly one-third will have had three or more earache incidents. But, what might be surprising is that earache is also the most general basis for children under the age of five years to be taken to the chiropractor’s office.

How chiropractic Care Relates to Earache and ear infections

When a child who has an earache is identified as having a middle ear infection by the pediatrician, the standard treatment encompasses a course of antibiotics. Advanced research, however, has concluded that such practices are often misguided. The reason for the child’s middle ear infection may not be due to bacteria, and because antibiotics are only effective against bacterial pathogens, many times there will be no positive result. This is because numerous cases of middle ear infection can be produced by a virus, and viruses do not respond to antibiotics. This may be the reason why children develop chronic ear infections.

One of a number of determinations that a Honolulu chiropractor can make is whether the earache or ear infection is caused by irritation of the small nerves in the spine, called free nerve endings.

An abnormal tension in the small muscles of the neck is caused when these nerve endings are inflammed. This muscle tension can produce pressure on the lymphatic drainage ducts resulting in inadequate drainage from inside the ear, hence keeping the body from being able to naturally correct the problem. In addition, balance can also be affected.

Assessment by a chiropractor of such a situation is made by the finding of increased tension in the neck and paraspinal muscles. Normally more tension is felt on the side of earache. In addition, the chiropractor will check to see which spinal vertebrae are either moderately out of alignment or not moving within their normal range. There are a number of reasons for such aproblem as the consequence of the many bangs, jolts, and falls almost all children encounter growing up. Restoration of normal lymph drainage is most often accomplished with a short regimen of treatments that include spinal adjustments and manipulation of the neck muscles. If your child is struggling with an earache or an ear infection, call your Honolulu chiropractor as soon as possible.

Advanced Research and Guidelines

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ear infection, the most frequent childhood disease after the common cold, accounts for nearly 30 million doctor visits each year. In addition, at least 6 million courses of antibiotics are causelessly prescribed for the affliction.Not too long ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines for treating pediatric ear inflammation, and specifically recommended a period of “watchful waiting” since, in many cases, infections clear up on their own, without medication.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) endorses the AAP on the guidelines and reiterates that chiropractic treatment is a “good first option” for treating ear infection conservatively. “Doctors of chiropractic have been treating children for decades with great success – helping them to avoid painful ear infections, antibiotic overuse and resistance, and ear tube surgery,” said ACA President Donald Krippendorf, DC. “Particularly when dealing with young children, drugs and surgery should be an absolute last resort.”