Archive for ear infections
Your Wichita Chiropractor Can Relieve Your Child's Earaches and Ear Infections
Posted by: | CommentsAs a Wichita Chiropractor, Dr. Melody Shubert is happy to count a large number of children as patients in her chiropractic office. If you have children, you may already know that earache is the most prevalent basis for office visits to a pediatrician. By the age of three years, more than 70 percent of children will have had at least one episode of earache, and about a third will have had three or more occurrences. It may be surprising, however, that earache is also the most widespread reason for children under the age of five years to be escorted by parents to the chiropractor’s office. That’s right. Many parents prefer chiropractic treatment for their children’s earaches because it is natural, non-invasive, and drug-free. Here’s why chiropractic care is effective:
When a child with an earache is determined to have a middle ear infection by the pediatrician, the general treatment involves a course of antibiotics. Advanced research, however, has ascertained that this type of treatment is often imprudent. The basis for the child’s middle ear infection may not be due to bacteria, and since antibiotics are only effective against bacterial pathogens, quite often there will be no positive result. This is because numerous cases of middle ear infection can be generated by a virus, and viruses do not respond to antibiotics. This may explain why children develop chronic ear infections.
One of the intentions of Dr. Shubert is to determine whether or not the body’s inability to combat the earache or ear infection is due to inflamation of the small nerves in the spine (called free nerve endings). An aberrant tension in the small muscles of the neck is created when these nerve endings are irritated. This muscle tension can place pressure on the lymphatic drainage ducts resulting in inadequate drainage from inside the ear, thus preventing the body from being able to naturally fix the problem. Furthermore, balance can also be affected.
Inadequate drainage of lymphatic ducts can be identifed by a proficient chiropractor, like your Chiropractor in Wichita, if there is elevated tension in the neck and paraspinal muscles on the side with the earache. In addition, your chiropractor will palpate to see which spinal vertebrae are either moderately out of alignment or not moving within their normal range. This problem may have been the result of any one of the variety of bangs, jolts and falls that almost all children experience in the early years of their life. Frequently, a short series of spinal adjustments and manipulation of the neck muscles can help to restore normal lymph drainage.
Advanced Research and Guidelines
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ear infection, the most prevalent childhood disease second only to the common cold, accounts for nearly 30 million doctor visits each year. In addition, at least 6 million courses of antibiotics are unnecessarily prescribed for the affliction. Just recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines for treating pediatric ear inflammation, and specifically recommended a period of “watchful waiting” since, in many cases, infections clear up on their own, without medication.
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) applauds the AAP on the guidelines and emphasizes that chiropractic care is a “good first option” for treating ear infection conservatively. “Doctors of chiropractic have been treating children for decades with great success – helping them to avoid painful ear infections, antibiotic overuse and resistance, and ear tube surgery,” said ACA President Donald Krippendorf, DC. “Particularly when dealing with young children, drugs and surgery should be an absolute last resort.”
If your child is suffering from an earache or an ear infection, contact Dr. Melody Shubert, your Wichita Chiropractor, as soon as possible.
The adverse effects of pharmaceuticals on the health of children has been well-documented, and many parents are concerned. Today, when given a medical prescription for their child’s recurrent problem, more and more moms and dads are asking, “Is this really all I can do for my child? Isn’t there a safer alternative?” The answer is “Yes” and chiropractic care is that alternative!
Parents are disinclined to just mask symptoms with pharmaceuticals and for good reason. Moms and dads are far more “drug-savvy” than they used to be, especially when it comes to their children. They are more aware and more worried about harmful side effects. Today, parents are seeking out health care options for their children that encourage and support their child’s natural ability to be healthy.
Chiropractic care is an excellent option because it stimulate a child’s nervous system, including the immune system, in functioning at peak performance. When their autoimmune system is functioning optimally, children stay healthier. As far as a child’s health is concerned, “the best offense is a good defense.” Children are exposed to such an abundance of health-endangering illnesses every day that it would be impossible to immunize them against them all, even if there were such immunization available. Your Wichita Chiropractor has both education and experience with colds, sore throats, ear infections, fevers, colic, asthma, tonsillitis, allergies, bed-wetting, infections, pains, falls, stomach-aches, and the hundred and one little (and big) things children go through as they grow up.
The amazing thing is that almost every illnesses that affects children is avoidable! Chiropractic care aids in removing interferences to the inherent healing power that runs through your child’s body. When that healing ability is unleashed, the changes that take place may often be profound.
In addition, a well-adjust child (one who sees a chiropractor on a regular basis) is less likely to be injured at play or in sports. And, as an added plus, children who receive regular chiropactic care don’t seem to experience as many “growing pains” as other children.
You may be thinking to yourself, “Wow, can chiropractic care really do all that!?” The truth is that chiropractic doesn’t “do” anything more than help your child to “do what comes naturally,” which is to be strong and healthy. Dr. Melody Shubert, your Chiropractor in Wichita, believes that all children have the right to manifest their fullest potential on every level. If you have questions about your child’s health, call your Wichita Chiropractor and get and answers you need.
