Does Anyone Have Any Experience with Chiropractic Care for Ear Infections?

hi J.! this was back in the early nineties, but my brother had the same problems. In fact he had a couple of sets of tubes, then went to a chiro. He did a simple adjustment, everything was draining in the wrong direction. In fact I don't mean to be partial, but we have a good friend in Lowell who is at the top of his field. Dr. Luke Caveny, I think he is very good. Good LUck!

yes J. i swear by it i'm not a chiropractor or work for a chiropractor... but my son and both daughters have had issues with their ears my son prior to the age of 4 when we started had had tubes placed adnoids removed and on antibiotics every other month at least plus perferated his ear drum many times as he has a very high tolerance for pain.....with my last child she was adjusted at 3weeks old .... K. d

I strongly recommend osteopathy. We had an OD (find a pediatric one who is trained in manipulations for ear infections) work on my daughter after she had a few ear infections, and her adjustments drained the fluid from her ears very quickly. I know lots of people love chiropractic care, but it makes me a little nervous. The osteopathic manipulations didn't adjust her neck or spine, and she sat through it very well (at ages 8-12 months).

Good luck!

Hi J.,

If you're skeptical regarding the ear tubes your pediatrician has suggested, you should be twice as skeptical about a chiropractor treating your son for an ear infection. I sometimes go to a chiropractor for muscular problems but some chiropractors tend to stretch the truth when they say they can treat infections.

Warning bells should be going off when they tell you that your son will need MANY additional treatments.

Yes, there are tiny bones in the ear, but they can NOT be adjusted. Subluxation of the spine is a myth; our spines don't go out of alignment and when people speak of their back being out, it's really muscle strain that causes the pain.
Perhaps your son has allergies to certain foods; look into anything related to milk, cheese, yeast, eggs etc.

An addition: There are no published medical studies that show spinal manipulation is effective against ear infections.
An untreated ear infection can spread to the middle ear, surrounding bone, even into the brain and can become a real medical emergency.
Sorry, but not all chiropractors are honest; stay away from those who promise a cure, suggest "preventive adjustments,"who "prescribe" dietary supplements, homeopathic products, herbal products to treat diseases or who sell these products in their offices. Also be aware that neck manipulation can and has caused serious injuries.
Stick with a medical doctor.

Hi J.,

I am a chiropractor and I have treated dozens of kids with ear infections... most of the children had chronic infections with hearing loss and the threat of surgery and more drugs. 100% of them got better... ear infections gone never to return, hearing loss resolved, they did not need any surgery, no tubes and no more drugs. Please take your son to a chiropractor.

Allie

yes, yes, yes, you are on the right track. It is so helpful for kids with ear infections. Make sure the chiro you have chosen is experienced with kids. Check out www.icpa.org for local chiros with kid focus. Cranial work can also be very helpful so a doc who does that with more traditional chiro can be even better. Good luck.

yes, absolutely chiropractic care does help with ear infections. Also, and maybe most important, cut out all dairy and sugar. Dairy of all kinds in particular is often associated with ear infections. If you breastfeed, cut it out of your diet, if he's on formula, try other kinds of milk like oat, hemp or almond (be careful of soy, this is also highly allergenic). Good luck!

DH is a chiro--he sees a lot of kids with ear infections. the results are great and patients do great
K.

Hi J.,
Why not try it?? I personally do not have any experience, but two of my kids have had tubes and the procedure was so simple and the results were amazing. We were living at the docs and we had such a miserable winter and then once they got the tubes it was like night and day! They went in to the hospital at 6:45 a.m. and we were on our way home at 8:45 a.m. They both ate lunch that day and you would have never known they had had surgery that morning. I had never heard of having them adjusted for ear infections otherwise I would have tried this first. If it works...great! If not, the tubes really are wonderful! Either way, I wish you a healthy, "ear infection free" winter :)

Hi J. - I took my 16-month old to a chiro when she was a newborn because she had a horrible case of colic... the adjustments helped her immediately, but didn't alleviate it entirely. My chiro made no promises that it would take the colic away, but her digestive system was "stuck" and not functioning properly, and the adjustments helped everything get moving, so to speak, so she cried less at night. She also got ear infections last year in day care when she was not yet 1 year, and I always took her for chiro visits more when she had them. I found that the chiro working on her spine AND sinus area had the best results, but like I said about her colic, it's not a magic pill that took all the issues away entirely. My feeling now on it is that it really does help and it a wonderful preventative measure, but you have to go at least bi-weekly for it to be preventative or it's too late. Once the infection is in there, the adjustment won't remove it. I have had my chiro work on my sinuses, as I am prone to sinus infections, and that has helped me. I say go for it - you have nothing to lose and can only gain from the experience. Many insurance plans cover visits now as well, you just need to pay a co-pay. My last suggestion is to visit a homeopathic doctor if you feel okay with that - I have a good friend who absolutely swears by hers and takes both her kids there. The dr. uses a holistic medicinal approach rather than the constant round of antiobiotics we feel like we're on with kids in day care. In fact, I am planning to visit one in my area early next year. I hope this helps - good luck and hang in there! My baby is now over 1 year and she does get sick, but at least not like last year when she was smaller! I know how hard it is!

Yes...and it's great. I'm not saying it's the final answer though. Sometimes you need to use conventional medicine and chiropractic care. Our chiropractor doesn't just pop your body, he helps your body to heal itself. That's the kind I think is best...there's more to it than just popping a few bones. If your interested in knowing more about him, let me know. He's been a lifesaver!

Hi J.,
I also have a son who suffers from ear infections frequently and just recently have heard of a chiropractor as a huge help for that. My cousin had taken her son (some 16 years ago) to a chiropractor for chronic ear infections and after 4-5 sessions she said that he stopped getting them and has not had one since. He is now 23 years old. Her pediatrician told her it was just coincidence and that there is no proof that this was what cured him but it seems pretty obvious to me.
I am going to look further into this so my son can stop going on so many antibiotics and suffering each season when a cold hits.
Good luck
Take care
V. D

ear infections are not contagious whatsoever. i had tubes in my ears, my cousin did 4 kids in the daycare i work at have them and so doesnt my friends son. none of them ever had complications so the chances of complications and so slim that i think the pros outweigh the cons

Funny you should ask today. My children and I were at my chiropractor's yesterday, and the 10-month-old boy next to us in the waiting room was going in for ear infection treatment! It can definitely help release the fluid build-up and get the healing going. My daughter got an ear infection every time she cut a new tooth, and it was then that I learned chiropractics can help. She also had chronic nose bleeds when she got older, and I found a wonderful chiropractor who is certified in cranial work who took care of those too. Dr. Martin Rosen in Wellesley is fantastic! Good luck!

My son had similar problems (multiple ear infections in a VERY short amount of time) and my doctor had me take him off of mucous forming foods. The list is long, but the other recommendation to eliminate dairy is along the same lines. Maybe start with that elimination. The list of mucous forming foods is long, and I'm currently doing it again for my 2nd son who is now experiencing similar problems, so it's fresh in my mind if you have any questions. My first son, by the way, has not had an ear infection since we started that diet with him (and me since I was nursing.) By the time he was two he had "grown into" the other foods wihtout any issue at all. He's going to be 3 next month and has hardly had any illnesses at all, praise the Lord!

If you're interested in this instead of the tubes (at least try it first, that's what I did...dr's wanted to put in tubes, so I said I'd try this first and if it failed then I'd consider the tubes), and want to know more info, feel free to email/send a personal message.
Best wishes!

I feel bad for some of the people posting here. Chiropractic care is great instrument for health! I was skeptical at first also. I do feel you need to find the right one; just like regular doctors they all have different philosophies and different ways of doing things. All of your body’s functions are controlled through your spinal cord. If something is out of line it can affect any part of your body. I see a chiropractor weekly to "keep the power on". My children also have been seeing him since they were born. They had their first adjustment in the Hospital. We have never had an ear infection. I recommend shopping around for a good Chiropractor. If you would like a referral for your area, I could possible help with that.

My sister (30) goes to the chiro for numerous reasons. her ears and sinuses were always clogged up and she could never hear. Now her head is clear and her ears aren't stuffy anymore. We always had ear problems when we were little, and my sister has problems until chiro. I think it is because she clenches her teeth which leads to fluid buildup in the ear canal ??? But I know it is working. Her chiro uses a machine to adjust her spine, they do not do it manually. I would see a chiro that specializes in kids. I don't think a chiro has a cure just sympton relief. I think your child will eventually outgrow the problem. Being so little, I would definitely do more research on the subject, but some people swear by it. Good luck!

J.:

I didn't try the chiro, but I go myself. I went with the tubes. We were lucky - they stayed in for two years without any complications.

They came loose in June and the holes closed nicely, but the tubes were still hanging out in his ear canal. I choose not to have the doctor take them out then. Since it was summer, we decided to encourage him to get his ears underwater and see if they would wash away on their own. We go back in December to see if they are out. If not, the doc will have to get them - no big deal, just me holding my son and the doc using "tweezers" to get them.

If you live in CT and decide to go with tubes, I highly recommend an ENT at CCMC, Dr. James Batti. You can see him in Glastonbury or Hartford. The surgery was done at CCMC and from the time I left my son in the room until I saw him again in recovery was exactly 17 minutes.

Good luck!
C.

Yes, my daughter had lots of trouble with ear infections as an toddler. We sought the help of our local chiropractor. It was a great help not only with the treatment but the advice that I got. I was able to stop ear infections before they were full blown by some simple remedies that he suggested.

First, I stopped letting her take baths before bedtime. She was getting water in her ear & then going to bed with it sitting in there. By the middle of the night, there was terrible ear pain as a result.

Also, I learned to use ear candles & ear oils from the local health food store when any pain began. It would be tricky to do a candle on such a little one like your 8 1/2 month old son, so I would check with your chiropractor for advice. However, I did use the ear oils right from an early age. It's as simple as a few drops in & place a cotton ball to hold it in. It works like magic!! I especially found that the melaleuca oil or tea tree oil mixed with olive oil to be very effective. You can use garlic oils or some of the premixed that you would find at the health food store.

I hope this helps! I can simpathize because it it no fun to go through. Although, I must say that I grew very confident with these treatments because within just a few short hours I could always get rid of the infection! It felt great to resolve it without having to give antibiotics!

I still keep both the candles & oil on hand for when a problem should arise again! Good luck!

Have you looked into Acupuncture? New England School of Acupuncture is in Watertown, it's a cheaper rate than a regular doctor. You can call and ask if it's the kind of thing they can help treat. They do work with small children.

Hi J.,

I have a wonderful chiropractor who I have referred many friends and family to. Everyone loves him and has benefitted from his treatment. He is David McMullen at 48 Main Street in Windsor Locks. Ph. ###-###-####. He is very honest, and really listens to you and cares. He does not over do the appointments either. I have been to several chiropractors over the years, and he is absolutely the BEST!

Good luck to you and your son. I hope he gets better soon!

Try taking him off dairy if he is on any. I know that cow's milk has been linked to ear infections. If you can try rice milk and see if that helps. Also someone in the family had this problem and it turned out to be an allergy to the cleaning products used at the day care. I would look into that as well. Anything before surgery.
hope that helps

Hi J.,
I see you got many responses but figured I would give you my two cents. I go to a chiropractor and my 2 year old daughter goes as well. she has never had an ear infection and when and if she gets a little cold, it last only a day or two. i truly believe it is from seeing a chiro. many people are not believers but that is because they never tried it. My opinion, why not try it? i would at least do that rather than opt for surgery. My best friend had her 2 year old have the surgery for the tubes and they had to repeat it again. why put a child through that if you dont have to? i would try other options before opting for surgery. I dont know where you live, but i can recommend a chiro if you are in the Salem/Windham NH area.
Thanks,
C.

My 16 month old daughter has not had any ear infection yet but if she did I would not hesitate for a second to take her to an ostheopath. Ostheopathy appears to be very helpful for recuring ear infections.Look for someone with experience with young children (check Birth Roots resource booklet).
Best
S.

J.-
I work in a chiropractic office and I have heard that it can help. I would say that if you are looking for alternatives before surgery, I would suggest trying it. It can not hurt.

If you need a place to go send me a private message and I will give you a couple good places I know.

E.

I have had wonderful results with my chiropractor for my son. He was 3lbs 2oz at birth and 7 weeks early. We have been going sincehe was 6 months. Being preemie brought a host of issues that was helped by chiropractic care. I recently brought him in for an adjustment at the same time he had cold symptoms. Within 1 day he was improving. Just make sure you know the Dr. has had practice with babies. I can recommend my Dr. She is in the E.Greenwich/Warwick area.
Best of luck.

Hi J.,
well, I don't have any experience with chiro for ear infections, but I do have experience with dairy allergies and ear infections. When I was in my 20's, I kept getting sinus infections. I would go on the antibiotics and it would clear up, then 2 weeks later it was back. I did this several times before I said - "Enough antibiotics!". My aunt had a PhD in nutrition, and she helped me figure out the dairy connection.
When I cut dairy out of my diet, the sinus infections went away. (when I said to myself - this is crazy - I can eat whatever I want, I am not allergic - I ate a GIANT ice cream milkshake - I was sick for two weeks!!).

Even now, when I overdo it on the dairy, I can feel the fluid starting to build up behind my ear.

Anyway, thought this was info worth sharing - you can try to remove the dairy from your son's diet, and if you are nursing, remove the dairy from YOUR diet. You can try it for two or three weeks and see if you notice any improvement. Also, pay particular attention when you add it back in, as that was when I noticed feeling bad.

Hope this info was useful!
Good Luck!
Warmly,
E.

I don't have any chiro experience but I do have a bit of ear infection advice. Try removing dairy from your son's diet and from yours if he's still nursing. There have been links between dairy and ear infections and that could be the cause of your son's problems. My youngest son was the only one out of my 3 children that ever had any ear problems. After removing dairy from his diet when I found he was allergic his ear problems cleared up as well. I would still get the chiro adjustments also. Because the bones in the ears are considered part of the spinal skeletal system it certainly can't hurt to have the adjustments.

I did not take the Chiropratic route, but my son had terrible ear infections as a baby. We were at the doctors twice a month until he was 18 months old. We decided to put in tubes. It was the best thing I ever did. He immediately felt better and started talking more. When babies have fluid in their ears it sounds like they are underwater all the time, so everything is muffled. I was very nervous about my baby being put to sleep. The procedure only took 10 minutes and he was fine that afternoon. He is 7 now and doing great.

Thanks for listening.

Sam
Mother of 3
Devin 7, Donovan 5, Mya 3

When my DD kept getting ear infections our Ped. recommended cranial sacral therapy, an alternative type of physical therapy that is a lot less manipulative than chiropractic work. It really seemed to help with draining the fluid and was covered by our health insurance which was a godsend. I have taken DD to a chiro, and probably would again, but since insurance won't cover children until age 16, I am very selective about it.

Hi,
Not personally, but my best friend was in the same situation, and it worked for her daughter. What can it hurt to try, right? You can always do the tubes later, it doesn't eliminate the possibility. I would ask around to find one who specializes in children. I know that Bruce Huslander in Nashua is great, but I don't know if he does kids. There are ones I would stay away from, I can give you one privately to stay away from if you are in Nashua. If the doctor wants you on a schedule of appointments for more than two weeks, or tries to push supplements like rosehips, run don't walk to the door.
Good luck,
D.