Otitis Media or more commonly know as ear infections are a common and painful problem for young children. Almost half of young children will develop an ear infection in their first year of life and two thirds before three years of age. Ear infections can arise following respiratory infections and also from external sources, such as water being caught in the ear.

If you have any questions regarding this information, or need help with your particular condition, please contact Back to Basics® Chiropractic at either the Kogarah or Parramatta clinic. Our highly trained staff will be able to advise you on an appropriate course of action. If you make a booking, please ask our receptionist about our website offer of 10% off your initial consultation.

During ear infections, fluid builds up behind the eardrum, causing immense pressure and inflammation. This results in severe pain, irritability, fever and even temporary hearing loss. The biomechanics and function of the upper part of the neck and the ear are all related.

Ear infections - Children Chiropractic Chiropractic for ear infections will help to maintain correct function of these areas which will help the nervous system to perform at its optimum. Recurring infections cause great pain to children, not to mention frustration to parents woken at night with their child's crying.

If your children regularly experience ear infections, chances are their nervous system is not functioning at its best and they may benefit from chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments can promote better health and also act as an alternative to other medical treatments.

Antibiotics are commonly the first avenue of treatment for ear infections which are effective if the culprit is bacterial (antibiotics, of course, do nothing to fight off viruses). Although this is an effective treatment, continual doses of antibiotics can lead to drug-resistant bacteria and therefore drug becomes less effective. Other treatments such as ear-tube surgery and adenoidectomy should only be last-case choices for young children.

Recurring ear infections can be treated by the chiropractors at Back to Basics Chiropractic. Dysfunction in the upper cervical spine and the muscles in that area can prevent the drainage of fluid build-up behind the ear drum which causes the pain. Chiropractic techniques can help to restore proper function to the area by reducing the pressure on the eardrum, enhancing drainage and permits long-term proper drainage of ear fluid [1].

Some simple suggestions when caring for a child suffering Otitis Media (Ear Infections):

  • Encourage the child to sleep
  • Avoid activities where the child's ear will get wet, like swimming or a wetting there head in a bath
  • Try to minimise dairy products
  • Increase water uptake
  • Vitamin C, Garlic and Children's multivitamins may also help
  • Try to minimise dummy use, as this alters the jaw position and may aggravate symptoms

Chiropractic offers a safe, natural and effective treatment for your child.

1. Ear infection: a retrospective study examining improvement from chiropractic care and analyzing for influencing factors. - Froehle RM - J Manipulative Physiol Ther - 01-MAR-1996; 19(3): 169-77


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