If your child is subject to frequent ear infections, you’re not alone. In fact, 80 percent of the world’s children will suffer from at least one ear infection by the time they’re 10. Most of these infections occur in children younger than three years, meaning a lot of sleepless nights for both kids and their parents.
The vast majority of childhood ear infections are classified as otitis media, or infections of the middle ear. These infections can be painful, especially for younger children, and may cause a feeling of fullness and difficulty hearing. Traditional medicine usually approaches otitis media with antibiotics and/or surgery. However, Grimes Family Chiropractic provides a natural alternative option.
The Problem with Antibiotics
You may have read in the news about antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” like multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis and Staph. The reason that bacteria become drug-resistant is because of constant exposure to antibiotics. Bacteria reproduce incredibly quickly and can evolve resistances rapidly. Our frequent use of antibiotics for even minor infections contributes heavily to this.
Furthermore, antibiotics don’t “hang around” in your system or form antibodies. Once a patient has finished a course of antibiotics, they are once again susceptible to the same infection in the future. So even if antibiotics help to resolve your child’s ear infection, they could develop the infection again next month.
The Problem with Surgery
One of the most common surgeries used to treat ear infections is a tympanostomy, or ear tube placement. Besides the likely need for general anesthesia in young children, the surgery carries several other risks. These include long term hearing damage, the need for repeated procedures in the future and the risk of further infection.
Hearing damage in very young children is particularly tragic as it can lead to speech delays or difficulties. Ear tubes also frequently need to be replaced through future surgical procedures as the tubes become poorly positioned or dislodged.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic is centered on the correction of subluxations, small misalignments in the spine that can pinch or otherwise irritate nerves. Since many of the mechanisms of the middle ear are controlled by nerves running along the cervical vertebrae, or neck, skilled chiropractic adjustments to correct subluxations here can help the middle ear function correctly. This means efficient drainage of fluid, proper muscle movement and a reduction in the frequency and severity of ear infections.
For a natural option to treat your child’s ear infection, contact Grimes Family Chiropractic today at (702) 233-2372 or via our webpage.
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