Chiropractic care helps with chronic ear infections by correcting the position of the ear canal to encourage proper drainage. When the ear canal drains properly, ear infections may be less likely. If you or someone you know suffers from chronic ear infections, you could benefit from chiropractic adjustments.
Ear infections can cause a range of uncomfortable or painful symptoms. While you can treat your infection with oral medications or ear drops, chronic ear infections might need a different approach. With chiropractic care, you can treat the source of your ear pain instead of your symptoms.
Types of Chiropractic Treatments That Can Help You Overcome Chronic Ear Infections
Several types of chiropractic methods can be used to treat ear infections and alleviate the pain associated with fluid buildup in the ears. Some of the methods your chiropractor might recommend include:
Spinal Adjustments
There are several different types of spinal adjustments your chiropractor can perform. Each one helps to target a different part of your body. During a spinal adjustment, you might hear a popping sound as your vertebrates are forced back into place. When your doctor treats your ear infection, they will determine which part of the spine needs to be adjusted to drain excess fluid from your ear.
Cranial Sacral Technique
The cranial sacral technique is a form of massage that involves your doctor massaging your neck, head, and back to encourage fluid drainage from your sinuses and Eustachian tubes. When your sinuses don’t drain properly, it can lead to pressure, pain, and fluid buildup that can cause infections.
Ear Adjustments
An ear adjustment, similar to a spinal adjustment, involves your chiropractor using a high-velocity, low-amplitude force to adjust the ear’s position. You may feel a popping sensation, then a release of congestion and other fluid in your ears.
Upper Cervical Adjustments
An upper cervical adjustment involves your chiropractor manipulating the upper back and neck. This can help reduce swelling, pain, and other problems in your inner ear. Once your body is back in the correct alignment, you may notice less sinus pressure and improved fluid drainage, reducing the frequency of ear infections.
How Do Ear Infections Happen?
Ear infections occur when the tubes that connect your inner ear to the back of your throat are swollen and blocked. When your eustachian tubes are blocked, mucus may build up in your middle ear and become infected. This leads to the uncomfortable symptoms you feel during an ear infection.
Mild ear infections may clear up without medical intervention, but some patients take antibiotics to clear the infection as soon as possible. If you experience chronic ear infections, you should make an appointment with your doctor right away. They might recommend chiropractic treatments rather than continuing to prescribe antibiotics.
Symptoms of Ear Infections
Children are often more likely to suffer from ear infections than adults. According to Mayo Clinic, common ear infection symptoms in children include:
- Ear pain that may be worse when the child is lying down
- Issues sleeping
- Trouble balancing
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches
- Tugging or pulling on the ear
- Crying or being fussy more than usual
- Trouble hearing or responding to sounds
- Fever
- Fluid draining from the ear
Adults may also experience ear infections with symptoms such as:
- Ear pain
- Hearing issues
- Fluid draining from the ear
If you or your child is dealing with any of these symptoms, seek medical care as soon as you can. Your doctor can assess your condition, provide a treatment plan, and potentially heal your middle ear infection before it leads to a chronic condition.
Risk Factors Associated With Ear Infections
While it isn’t always possible to avoid an ear infection, being aware of associated risk factors could help you avoid possible irritants. A few of the risk factors associated with ear infections include:
- Age: Young children are usually more likely to suffer an ear infection because of the small size of their eustachian tubes.
- Low air quality: Secondhand smoke or air pollution can contribute to ear infections.
- Seasonal factors: Patients are more likely to suffer ear infections in the fall or winter. If you have seasonal allergies, this can also put you at a higher risk of frequent ear infections.
- Group environments: Children who attend school or group child care may be more susceptible to ear infections. Issues like the common cold spread faster in group settings, which can cause ear infections.
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Benefits of Seeking Chiropractic Treatments for Ear Infections
Going to a chiropractor for your chronic ear infections has many benefits. If you’re considering this route, consider the following perks of visiting a chiropractor:
- You can avoid taking medications. Your chiropractor won’t tell you to take prescription medications for your ear infections, as they often come with a range of uncomfortable side effects. Instead of masking your symptoms with medication, your chiropractor will treat the source of your problem.
- It won’t cause you pain. Though many patients associate the chiropractor with forceful movements and intense popping sounds, it does not hurt to receive chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors are even gentle enough for children to receive treatment.
- It promotes overall wellness. Chiropractic treatment encourages you to call on your body’s natural healing processes. Rather than covering your symptoms, chiropractic methods target the source of your discomfort.
- It helps prevent future health problems. Your chiropractor will help you improve your body’s immune system and strengthen your muscles. They will also teach you methods you can perform at home to remain healthy and active.
Common At-Home Remedies to Combat Chronic Ear Infections
If you’re dealing with an ear infection, it is recommended that you visit a chiropractor before attempting to self-treat. However, if you need immediate relief or help feeling better between appointments, common at-home remedies include:
- Ear drops that may help to dry up excess fluid
- Warm compress
- Sleeping more upright, since pressure on the ear from lying down can cause more pain
- Gargling saltwater
Patients with severe pain should not attempt to treat an ear infection on their own. Please visit your doctor or the emergency room before your condition worsens.
When an Ear Infection Becomes an Emergency
If your symptoms become an emergency, do not wait to go to the doctor. Experiencing swelling near the eyes, personality changes, high fever, seizure, or difficulty moving could be signs of a greater issue. Visit your doctor or an emergency medical center as soon as possible if your ear infection is associated with these intense symptoms.
Other ear infection symptoms that may warrant a visit to the emergency room include:
- Neck stiffness
- Sudden and painful loss of hearing
- Becoming extremely sluggish
Fluid buildup could even cause your eardrum to burst, so it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as you start noticing symptoms of an ear infection.
Can Kids Visit a Chiropractor for an Ear Infection?
Yes, kids can visit a chiropractor for an ear infection. Just like adults, a child’s body can become misaligned, contributing to chronic ear infections. A pediatric chiropractor will know gentle approaches to chiropractic care that may help children feel more comfortable. Since kids are more prone to ear infections than adults, it may be a good idea to have your child visit a chiropractor for consistent ear problems.
Beyond ear infections, pediatric chiropractors can also help children by:
- Building a stronger immune system
- Improving quality of sleep
- Improving ability to concentrate
- Encouraging proper nervous system functioning
- Increasing mobility
Before making an appointment, be sure to do your research. You’ll want to make sure the chiropractor you choose has experience working with kids and positive reviews about treating ear infections.
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What to Know Before Visiting a Chiropractor for the First Time
If you’ve never been to a chiropractor before, there are a few things to keep in mind. During your ear infection appointment, you should:
- Be ready to talk about your medical condition, such as the number of ear infections you’ve experienced recently and the severity of your symptoms
- Wear comfortable clothing, in case your chiropractor asks you to perform exercises or lie down for a spinal adjustment
- Ask any questions you have regarding your condition or treatment plan
You should choose a chiropractor you feel comfortable with, as you may need several appointments before your condition has improved.
Call Specific Care Chiropractic to Learn More About Treating Your Chronic Ear Infections
If you or your child is suffering from an ear infection, we know you might be in a lot of pain and discomfort. We encourage you to visit one of our chiropractors at Specific Care Chiropractic to treat your condition. Our doctors offer a range of chiropractic and physical therapy techniques that can treat your chronic ear infections.
Make an appointment with us today by calling our number. We will find an appointment time that is convenient for you and build a custom treatment plan.
