pediatric chiropractic

Earache is the most widespread reason for office visits to pediatricians. By the age of three years, more than 70 percent of children will have had at least one incident of earache, and about a third will have had more than three occurrences. What you might not expect, however, is that earache is also the most widespread basis for children under the age of five years to be brought to the chiropractor’s office.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Earache and Ear Infections

A pediatrician who suspects that a child with an earache has a middle ear infection will normally prescribe antibiotics as a customary course of treatment. New research, however, has concluded that this is often imprudent. 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 reaction. This is because numerous cases of middle ear infection can be produced by a virus, and viruses do not respond to antibiotics. This may explain why children develop chronic ear infections.

One of the many evaluations 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 undue tension in the small muscles of the neck is created when these nerve endings are inflammed. This muscle tension can put pressure on the lymphatic drainage ducts resulting in inadequate drainage from inside the ear, thus preventing the body from being able to naturally correct the problem. Additionally, balance can also be affected.

Inadequate drainage of lymphatic ducts can be discovered by a chiropractor if there is more tension in the neck and paraspinal muscles on the side with the earache. In addition, the chiropractor will look to see which spinal vertebrae are either slightly out of alignment or not moving within their normal range. This problem may have been the consequence of any one of the number of bangs, jolts and falls that most children undergo in the early years of their life. 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 suffering from an earache or an ear infection, see your Honolulu chiropractor as soon as possible.

Advanced Research and Guidelines

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ear infection, the most prevalent childhood disease second only to the common cold, accounts for nearly 30 million doctor visits each year. Furthermore, at least 6 million courses of antibiotics are causelessly prescribed for the condition.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) commends the AAP on the guidelines and reiterates that chiropractic care 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.”

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