If you’ve ever been jolted awake in the middle of the night by your child’s screams of ear pain, you know how heartbreaking and frustrating chronic ear infections can be. You’re up for hours trying to soothe them, only to have it happen again a few days later. This was the case for Luca, leaving his parents desperate for a solution that didn’t involve yet another round of antibiotics.
If this story sounds familiar, you’re not alone. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, nearly half of children experience six or more middle ear infections, or chronic otitis media, by their 3rd birthday. Otitis media causes fluid build-up in the middle ear, resulting in pain and discomfort.
Conventional solutions like antibiotics and ear tubes may temporarily relieve middle ear infections but often fail to address the underlying issues that make some kids prone to recurrent infections. The good news is that there is a natural ear infection remedy.
Six or more ear infections in just three years’ time is an astounding number when you consider that throughout the course of my practice career, hundreds of families whose children receive regular chiropractic care and live a healthy, toxin-free lifestyle report zero ear infections for any of their children whatsoever.
What can create such a large discrepancy between children and families? Lifestyle and who they turn to first for primary care. Two things weāll explore at length in this informative article!
In this article, we’ll explore what causes ear infections to become chronic, the limitations of conventional approaches, and how Pediatric Chiropractic’s drug-free, root-cause approach can provide lasting solutions for middle ear infections and other recurring ear infections.
What Causes Chronic Ear Infection in Children?
Chronic ear infections, also known as recurrent acute otitis media, are defined as either:
- Three or more acute infections in a 6-month period, or
- Four or more acute infections within a year
While a viral or bacterial infection often causes recurring ear infections, chronic ear infections typically have an underlying mechanical issue that makes the child prone to recurring bouts. Understanding these root causes is crucial for finding lasting relief.
The Anatomy of the Eustachian Tubes
The eustachian tubes are narrow passageways that connect the middle ear to the back of the throat. They regulate air pressure and drain fluids from the ear. In children, these tubes are shorter, narrower, and more horizontal than in adults, making it easier for them to collect a build-up of fluid in the middle ear. This anatomy is one reason children are slightly more susceptible to middle ear infections.
However, the position and size of the eustachian tubes alone don’t fully explain why some children experience otitis media while others don’t. Other factors usually compromise the tubes’ function and the child’s overall ear health.
Subluxation and Nervous System Dysfunction
The conventional narrative on chronic ear infections fails to recognize subluxation and nervous system dysfunction as the primary drivers of chronic ear infections. Subluxation refers to misalignments in the nervous system that interfere with healthy communication between the brain and body. This can occur in the upper neck and cervical spine, impacting the function of key nerves like the vagus nerve that control ear drainage by relaxing the tone of the nervous system and muscles surrounding the eustachian tube.
When subluxation is present, it can lead to:
- Decreased drainage of the eustachian tubes
- Increased inflammation in the ear and surrounding tissues
- Impaired immune function and increased susceptibility to infections
This dysfunction often occurs due to physical, chemical, and emotional stressors in early childhood, a phenomenon we call “The Perfect Storm.”
“The Perfect Storm”: A Cascade of Childhood Stressors Causing Otitis Media
Many factors can contribute to subluxation and nervous system dysfunction in children, including:
- Birth trauma or interventions like forceps, vacuum extraction, or C-section
- Falls, tumbles, and other physical injuries common in childhood
- Environmental toxins and pollutants
- Childhood illnesses and the overuse of antibiotics
- Chronic stress and unresolved emotions
When these stressors accumulate, they can alter the child’s nervous system development and lead to subluxation patterns that affect ear health.
The Limitations of Conventional āTreatmentā for Chronic Ear Infection
Unfortunately, the mainstream medical approach to chronic ear infections often fails to address these underlying causes. Antibiotics are frequently overprescribed even though most ear infections are viral and won’t respond to antibiotics.
According to the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, ear infections account for nearly 25% of all antibiotic prescriptions for children, despite most ear infections being viral and resolving on their own.
This overuse of antibiotics not only fails to resolve otitis media but can lead to antibiotic resistance and other long-term health issues by disrupting the child’s gut flora and natural immunity.
The PX Docs Approach: Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care for Chronic Otitis Media
At PX Docs, we take a different approach to chronic ear infectionsāone that focuses on supporting the body’s innate healing abilities by addressing the underlying nervous system dysfunction.
Rather than relying on antibiotics or invasive procedures that may only provide short-term relief, we use gentle, Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care adjustments to restore balance to the nervous system, promote and improve drainage of fluids and congestion, and prevent chronic ear infections.
Our approach begins with a thorough assessment that includes:
- A detailed health history to identify potential stressors and risk factors
- A physical examination to detect signs of subluxation and nervous system interference
- INSiGHT scans to pinpoint areas of dysfunction and guide care
The INSiGHT technology is a non-invasive scanning system that measures nervous system activity and helps us identify areas of subluxation that may be contributing to your child’s recurrent ear infections.
Below is a common presentation of pre (before care) and Post-Neurothermal Scans on a patient who was originally struggling with chronic ear infections and found complete resolution through our drug-free, root-cause approach.Ā
How Pediatric Chiropractic Adjustments Help Chronic Ear Infection
The specific adjustments used in Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care work to:
- Relieve tension and subluxation in the upper neck and cervical spine
- Restore normal alignment and mobility to the cranial bones and tissuesĀ Ā
- Improve drainage of the eustachian tubes and middle ear
- Boost immune function by optimizing nervous system regulationĀ
- Reduce inflammation in the ear and surrounding structures
By addressing these root causes of dysfunction, chiropractic care helps the body heal itself from the inside out. Adjustments are tailored to each child’s unique needs and performed using light touch or gentle instrument-assisted techniques that are safe and well-tolerated by infants and children.
Chiropractic adjustments have been used clinically to assist children with ear infections as early as 1997.
Reducing the Risk of Chronic Ear Infection in Children
While seeking care for chronic ear infections is crucial, prevention is equally vital in breaking the cycle of recurrent infections. By taking proactive steps to support your child’s immune system, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy nervous system function, you can help reduce their risk of developing otitis media in the first place.
Here are some critical strategies for combating constant ear infections:
- Choose to breastfeed: If possible, breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continuing to breastfeed for at least a year can help protect your baby from ear infections.Ā
- Reduce or eliminate exposure to toxins: Unfortunately, today, toxins can be found everywhere in our food supply, household products, air and water supply, environment, and so forth.Ā
- Reduce allergen exposure: If your child has allergies, managing their exposure to triggers like dust mites, pet dander, and mold can help reduce inflammation and prevent otitis media.Ā
- Incorporate immune-boosting foods: Incorporating foods rich in immune-supportive nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and probiotics can help strengthen your child’s natural defenses against middle ear infections.
- Include omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the risk of ear infections. Good sources include fatty fish like salmon, chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts.Ā
- Get regular adjustments: Continuing with periodic chiropractic adjustments even after your child’s middle ear infection has resolved can help maintain optimal nervous system function and prevent future subluxations.Ā
Incorporating these prevention strategies into your child’s routine may take effort and planning, but the payoff is well worth it. Remember, every small step you take to support your child’s health can have a significant impact over time.
Your Partner in Healing: Taking the Next Step
If you’ve been struggling to help your child break free from the cycle of chronic ear infections, know that you’re not alone. The pain, sleepless nights, and endless rounds of antibiotics can leave any parent feeling exhausted, frustrated, and hopeless.
But as we’ve explored in this article, there is hope for lasting relief. Your child can achieve optimal ear health and overall well-being by understanding the role of subluxation and nervous system dysfunction in recurrent infections and addressing these root causes through Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care.
So, if you’re tired of band-aid solutions for constant ear infections and are ready to get to the root of the problem, we invite you to take the first step today. Schedule a consultation with a PX Docs provider and discover the difference that Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care can make for your child and your entire family.
Together, we can help your child break free from the cycle of chronic ear infections, prevent hearing loss and speech delays, and achieve their fullest potential for health and happiness. Let’s get started on this healing journey together.
