Ear infections are a common childhood ailment that have caused many sleepless nights for children and parents alike. At Loehr Health Center, formerly Loehr Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we provide a drug-free, natural treatment for ear infections that can help clear them quickly.
What Is an Ear Infection?
An ear infection, which medical professionals sometimes call acute otitis media, is typically a viral or bacterial infection that affects the middle ear (the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the ear’s tiny, vibrating bones). When the Eustachian tube (a narrow tube connecting the ear and throat) is blocked by swelling, inflammation, or mucus resulting from allergies or an upper respiratory tract infection, fluid can accumulate in the middle ear, creating a welcoming environment for infection. The infection causes inflammation and fluid buildup, which means that an ear infection can be quite painful.
While anyone can develop an ear infection, the condition is much more common in children. Symptoms of an ear infection include the following:
- Ear pain, especially when lying down
- Tugging at the ear
- Unusual crying or irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Hearing difficulties
- Clumsiness or loss of balance
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Headache
- Drainage of fluid from the ear
Natural Treatment For Ear Infections vs. Traditional Approaches
There are different ways to approach the ear pain treatment or the treatment of an ear infection. Where medical doctors tend to rely on time and medications, chiropractors utilize drug-free, natural treatments for ear infections that can speed healing.
The Medical Doctor’s Approach
Since many ear infections will clear up on their own in a matter of weeks, medical doctors often suggest using pain medications for comfort while simply allowing the infection to run its course. In severe cases, antibiotics may be prescribed. It is worth noting that antibiotics should be used only when necessary, because they can have side effects and may increase the risk that a drug-resistant strain of disease will develop.
Natural Treatment For Ear Infections
Understanding how chiropractic care can impact ear infections requires a brief anatomy lesson. The vertebrae that make up the spine have small bony projections on their sides called transverse processes. At the top of the spine, the transverse processes run next to the Eustachian tubes. Thus, correcting any subluxations in the first few cervical vertebrae can reduce tissue swelling around the Eustachian tubes, relieving pressure and allowing the ear to drain. In many cases, the infection will clear within a couple of days. In fact, evidence indicates that chiropractic care can be helpful within 10 days.
Loehr Health Center, formerly Loehr Chiropractic & Acupuncture, is proud to offer natural treatment for ear infections. To see how we can help your family, schedule your appointment today.
