Tugging or pulling on the ear. Crying and fussiness. Difficulty sleeping. These are some common symptoms of ear infections. So why do so many little ones suffer from this all too familiar childhood condition?
Many kids get ear infections under the age of 3 because the Eustachian tube is horizontal or parallel to the ground, impeding proper drainage. If there’s not proper drainage, the fluid will get stuck there and fester into an ear infection.
If there’s a misalignment in the top part of the spine, that can create inflammation in the top of the neck near the Eustachian tube. As a result, the Eustachian tube can become further compressed, decreasing the drainage.
Natural Relief
We generally see kids get relief from ear infections once they’ve been under care for a few months, because we can relax muscle tissue and decrease inflammation. As dairy increases mucus and deters drainage, we recommend parents stop giving their child dairy immediately. Instead, we recommend switching to a plant-based milk, such as oat or almond.
By age 3, the Eustachian tubes should start to go perpendicular to the ground, so slightly more tilted. This change can also help the ear drain as well. If after 3 your child still has ear infections, we can remove that inflammation through the chiropractic adjustment. As a preventative approach is always best, by getting your child adjusted regularly in infancy and toddlerhood, they may not even get ear infections.
Other Benefits of Chiropractic for Kids
Pediatric chiropractic also helps during a child’s developmental stages, allowing them to meet those critical milestones. Little ones are tripling their size in the first year and developing exponentially. Not only is the spine growing, but they’re also rolling and falling constantly.
Gentle chiropractic adjustments can ensure that any displaced vertebra can be placed back into alignment. “Chiropractic can help ensure children develop neurologically efficiently, without issues or delays,” said Dr. Carly, who has certification in pediatrics from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA).
If your child is suffering from an ear infection, contact us today. We want to help.