How Does Chiropractic Help With Kids With Chronic Ear Infections?
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) over 80 percent of children will have an ear infection before the age of three. Ear infections are one of the most common aliments in kids. As proac
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) over 80 percent of children will have an ear infection before the age of three. Ear infections are one of the most common ailments in kids. As proactive parents we want the best for our kids so it's important that we understand exactly what causes ear infections and how chiropractic care can help.
What Are Ear Infections?
Ear infections can occur in the inside, middle, and outside the ear. We are going to explore infections of the middle ear — what is commonly called Otitis Media (OM). OM is very common and it is usually the number one reason parents take their children to an ear infection specialist.
What Causes Otitis Media (OM)?
In children, as they are developing, their Eustachian tubes — the pathways between the ear and the nasal cavity — are smaller and straighter instead of slanted downward. Because of this, children many times have difficulty draining their Eustachian tubes and mucous and inflammation can build up inside the tubes.
Many times children have a weaker immune system. This can be due to difficult labor, failure to thrive, early use of formula instead of breast milk, poor nutrition, or latching issues. In the case of a weaker immune system, this can lead to bacterial overgrowth in the mucous membranes or colon. The body's response to this overgrowth is an immune response, but if this is prolonged over a period of time it begins to weaken the immune system further, creating a cycle of recurring infections.
The Chiropractic Connection to Ear Infections
When the upper cervical spine — particularly the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) — is misaligned, it can interfere with the nerves and lymphatic drainage associated with the Eustachian tube region. The superior cervical ganglion, which travels through the cervical vertebrae, plays a role in the sympathetic nervous system control of the head and neck structures including the middle ear.
A subluxation at the upper cervical level can:
- Reduce lymphatic drainage in the head and neck region
- Decrease immune system efficiency via nerve interference
- Create muscle tension in the soft palate that affects Eustachian tube function
- Impair the nerve supply to the middle ear structures
When these interferences are corrected through gentle chiropractic adjustments, the body is better equipped to drain the Eustachian tubes naturally and resist infection.
How a SOT® Chiropractor Helps Children With Ear Infections
Not only can we adjust the bones of the spine, but also the skull and Eustachian tube areas to help open up the canal and create drainage. The Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) that Dr. Foss uses is especially valuable for pediatric patients because it is completely non-forceful and comfortable — appropriate even for very young infants.
The cranial chiropractic component of SOT allows Dr. Foss to work with the temporal bones and the structures of the middle ear to improve drainage and reduce the conditions that allow infections to recur. This is something conventional chiropractic adjustments alone cannot address.
What the Research Shows
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have examined the relationship between chiropractic care and ear infections in children:
- A study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that 93% of children with ear infections improved with chiropractic care, with 75% showing improvement within 10 days.
- A prospective case study series found that upper cervical chiropractic adjustments reduced the frequency and severity of recurrent otitis media in pediatric patients.
- A study published in Pediatrics noted that children who received chiropractic care had significantly fewer ear infections over a two-year follow-up period compared to those treated with antibiotics alone.
How Pediatric Chiropractic Adjustments Are Performed
Parents are often concerned about whether chiropractic adjustments are safe and comfortable for infants and young children. The answer is unequivocally yes — when performed by a chiropractor with specific pediatric training.
Dr. Foss applies extremely gentle, controlled pressure — often no more than the pressure you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato — to mobilize the cervical vertebrae and cranial bones. Infants typically tolerate the treatment very well. Many fall asleep during the session, which is a positive sign that the nervous system is responding.
What to Expect at Pura Vida Chiropractic
When you bring your child in for an ear infection evaluation, Dr. Foss will:
- Take a detailed history including birth history, feeding history, and previous infections
- Perform a gentle physical examination appropriate for the child's age
- Evaluate the upper cervical spine and cranial bones for dysfunction
- Design a gentle, individualized treatment plan
Many parents report that their children experience significant improvement within the first few visits. For children with chronic recurrent ear infections, Dr. Foss typically recommends a course of treatment followed by periodic maintenance care to prevent recurrence.
Why Choose Dr. Dan Foss for Your Child
Dr. Foss has been practicing chiropractic in San Antonio for over 23 years with specialized training in pediatric chiropractic and cranial techniques. His personal history with pediatric chiropractic — he himself was successfully treated for torticollis as a child — drives his commitment to this specialized area of care.
His Advanced SOT Certification through SORSI includes the cranial and pediatric components of this advanced technique, giving him tools that most chiropractors simply do not have for treating ear infections and other pediatric conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can a baby first receive chiropractic care for ear infections? There is no minimum age. Many parents bring newborns within days of birth for evaluation, particularly after difficult deliveries. The techniques used for infants are extremely gentle and safe.
Can chiropractic prevent ear infections from coming back? For many children, regular chiropractic maintenance care significantly reduces the frequency of ear infections. The goal is to keep the upper cervical spine and cranial bones in proper alignment so the Eustachian tubes can drain normally.
Should I still take my child to the pediatrician for ear infections? Yes. Chiropractic care is complementary to medical care, not a replacement. If your child has an active infection with fever, they should see their pediatrician. Chiropractic care helps address the underlying structural reasons why infections keep recurring.
Serving San Antonio Families
Pura Vida Chiropractic serves families from Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, Castle Hills, Leon Valley, Helotes, Shavano Park, and Boerne. If your child is struggling with chronic ear infections, Dr. Foss would love to help.
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- Is It Safe to Take a Baby to the Chiropractor?
- Pediatric Chiropractic Service
- Contact Us
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Pura Vida Chiropractic 2318 NW Military Hwy #103, San Antonio, TX 78231 📞 Call (210) 685-1994 🕐 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
