Ear Infections

As parents, it makes us feel so helpless. Our child is suffering but there seems little that we can do. No wonder reoccurring ear infections account for a huge number of pediatrician visits. The traditional approaches include:

·    Antibiotic therapy. This may be effective for acute bacterial infections, but many cases are viral, for which antibiotics are useless.
·    Tubes in the ears. Surgical implantation of artificial drainage tubes requires the administration of a risky anesthesia and then, they often come out!

However, more and more parents are choosing a more thoughtful approach -- chiropractic care. A thorough examination to locate, and adjustments to reduce, nerve disturbances that may make the ears prone to infection.

Ear infections aren’t the result of a drug shortage or deformed Eustachian tubes! Our bodies have an incredible capacity to fight infection. When that ability is impaired, it means something else is going on.

It surprises many to learn that some of the nerves that control, regulate and monitor the ear begin in the brain stem, continue down the spinal cord and exit out from between the bones of the spinal column. Changes to the function of the bones in the upper neck can compromise the quality of the nerve signals to and from the brain. Obviously, this can affect the ability of any organ or tissue, in this case your child’s ear, to “defend itself” from infection.

Nerve compromise is often accompanied by abnormal tension to the muscles that support the spine. Besides “protecting” the spine from further compromise, these muscle spasms can exert pressure on nearby lymphatic drainage ducts. This prevents natural drainage, further compounding the problem.

Our approach is simple. When parents bring their child for us to check, we look specifically for distortions in the upper spine. If nerve tension is detected, we gently reduce it with safe and natural chiropractic adjustments. This helps restore nervous system integrity. For a child or infant, this usually requires little more than a light touch with our fingertip at just the right place and direction.

If you have concerns, contact us at (507) 645-8846 to schedule an appointment.