Recent research reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic on a child with ear infections reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in helping these patients. The literature review included supports the role of chiropractic in those suffering from related health challenges and calls for more research in this area.
“Numerous case studies and some clinical studies are revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the various health challenges related to ear infections that children experience” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study.
McCoy added “In the case report presented, the child was suffering from ear infections that resolved under chiropractic care because of the nature of the nervous system and its relationship to the immune system and the spine. These types of structural problems in the spine obstruct the nervous system and by removing the obstruction chiropractic helps improve nerve supply.”
According to researchers the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function.
With everything we know about the spine and nervous system, chiropractic intervention makes perfect sense in the case of a child who has ear infections.
“In fact, chiropractic is the management of choice for dealing with the structural and neurological aspects of these types of problems” remarked McCoy, adding “This child was experiencing disruption in quality of life because of ear infections and developmental delays. It wasn’t until the chiropractic intervention that the child improved dramatically.”
The 2-year-old male in this study had been experiencing developmental delays and altered crawling patterns. He was previously diagnosed with otitis media. He also had limited vocabulary and avoided interaction with others. He had been on medications and antibiotics which did not help.
The chiropractor examined him and found ear infection, tight muscles, abnormal reflexes, and structural shifts in his upper neck, lower back, and sacrum. Decreased range of motion confirmed the findings. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves, and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.
Following chiropractic adjustments, he experienced improvement in his symptoms. He became more vocal, became more comfortable with social interaction, and his sleep pattern improved.
The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.
To learn more about this study and chiropractic research visit, Vertebral Subluxation Research.
