Ear Infection (Otitis Media)
By the age of three, over two thirds of all
children have had one or more episodes of otitis media or
middle ear infection. There are numerous problems with antibiotic
usage for children with ear infections such as: allergic
reactions, GI upset, destruction of the gut’s intestinal
flora leading to yeast proliferation and antibiotic resistance.
Tubes in the ears have a 98% recurrence of infection within
two months while 25% of those with tubes suffer from hearing
loss years later.
The use of osteopathic manipulative treatment
as adjuvant therapy in children with recurrent acute otitis
media, Mills, MV; Henley, CE, Barnes, LLB et al. Arch Pediatr
Adolesc Med. 2003;157:861-866.
57 patients 6 months to 6 years old with 3 episodes of acute
otitis media (AOM) in the previous 6 months, or 4 in the
previous year were placed randomly into 2 groups: one receiving
routine pediatric care (32), the other receiving routine
care plus osteopathic manipulative treatment (25).
The osteopathic
patients had fewer episodes of AOM, fewer surgical procedures,
and more surgery-free months and more normal tympanograms.
No adverse reactions were reported.
This study suggest osteopathic manipulations may prevent
or decrease surgical intervention or antibiotic overuse with
children with AOM.
http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/157/9/BIBL
The
management of acute otitis media using S.O.T. and S.O.T. Craniopathy.
Hochman J. Today’s Chiropractic May/June
2001. Pages 41-42.
Sisters aged 2 and 4 with chronic ear infections
who had received numerous courses of antibiotics over at least
two years (no improvement) were adjusted using SOT and Dynamic
Spinal Analysis methods. After the first visit, the mother
reported that both children were “doing much better.” No
more ear infections have been reported.
The management of acute
otitis media using SOT and SOT cranial. Hochman, J. Sorsi
Communicator Vol 14 No. 2 July 2001.
A baby boy, age 6 months,
was scheduled for ear tubes. His atlas was adjusted. His ear
infection completely cleared up by the next day. Tubes were
never inserted.
Two [girls] aged 3 and 4 with chronic ear infections
and upper respiratory dysfunction [received] upper dorsal and
cranial adjustments. No more ear infections have occurred
since the first visit.
Chronic recurrent otitis media: a common
pediatric malady. Fysh PN. The philosophy, art and science
of chiropractic. Lisbon 2000 Symposium proceedings. Pp. 64-68.
Pub by the Foundation for the advancement of chiropractic tenets
and science, ICA, Arlington, Virginia.
It is the author's experience
that none of the children in his study needed tympanostomy
tubes inserted. Within 4 to 7 days of the commencement of the
spinal adjusting program, the fluid level behind the tympanic
membrane was most often resolved.
The effect of the correction
of the vertebral subluxation on chronic otitis media in children.
Heagy, DT Chiropractic Pediatrics, 1996; 2/2:6-7.
Four patients
(from 14 months to 7 years of age) who had all had multiple
antibiotic regimens responded to adjustments.
Case History Bofshever,
H. Coral Springs, FL. ICPA Newsletter Nov/Dec 1999.
“An
upset father presented to my office on 4-30-99, with his 9
year old son, who has been having chronic ear infections.”
So begins this case history. The boy had been having ear
infections since he was 3 and they had been getting “progressively
worse.” Five years prior tubes were put in his ears.
The child was scheduled for another ear surgery and to have
his swollen tonsils and adenoids removed. Child had been “on
and off antibiotics at least every six weeks for the past
six years.”
Chiropractic examination revealed subluxation complexes
at C2 and C6. After the second adjustment father commented
that the boy is “much more alert and is concentrating
better at school…teachers noticed the improvement.” The
boy stopped complaining about his ears after the first adjustment.
At a six week evaluation there was no ear effusion in either
ear. Tonsils and adenoids were normal size. ENT (ear nose
and throat) doctor cancelled surgery. After 5 months, child
has had no ear infections, no sore throats, no colds, no
flu and has been on no medications.
Chiropractic care of 401
children with otitis media: a pilot study. Fallon and Edelman.
Alternative Therapies March 1998 4(2):93
From the conclusion:
There is a strong correlation between chiropractic
adjustments and the resolution of otitis media for the children
in this study, Chiropractors do not treat otitis media or any
other malady, rather we correct the cause of the vertebral
subluxation and allow the power that made the body heal the
body. It happens no other way.
Case study: chiropractic results
with a child with recurring otitis media accompanied by effusion.
Peet, JB Chiropractic Pediatrics, 1996;2:8-10.
This is the study
of a 5 year-old male who had recurring ear infections every
three to six weeks for the previous two years. He had been
on antibiotic therapy. The child began chiropractic care and
for the next six month period had only one infection.
Irritable
child with chronic ear effusion/infections responds to chiropractic
care. Thomas D. Chiropractic Pediatrics 1997; 3(2) 13-14.
This
child had chronic ear effusion infections since birth which
continued regularly until 12 months of age. He was adjusted
at 11 months for an atlas subluxation. After 8 weeks of care
the child had not experienced an ear infection for one month
and had not had any drugs or antibiotics since chiropractic
care. Improvements in personality and behavior were noted by
mother, babysitters and chiropractor.
Allergy airway disease
and otitis media in children. Todd NW, Feldman CM, Int J Pediatr
Otorhinolaryngol 1985: 10(1):27-35.
Musculoskeletal eustachian
tube dysfunction is an important etiological factor for otitis
media. The eustachian tube dysfunction manifests primarily
by poor ventilation from the nasopharynx to the middle ear,
by allowing negative pressure in the middle ear.
The role of
the chiropractic adjustment in the care and treatment of 332
children with otitis media. Fallon, JM. Journal of Clinical
Chiropractic Pediatrics Oct 1997, 2(2):167-183.
311 of the 332
had a history of prior antibiotic use. 53.7% of the children
had their first bout of otitis media between the ages of 6
months and 1 year and a total of 69.9% of the subjects in the
study had their first bout of OM under a year of age. This
is consistent with the findings of others.
The children were
27-days-old to five-years-old. The average number of adjustments
administered by types of otitis media were as follows: acute
otitis media (127 children) 4 adjustments; chronic/serous otitis
media (104 children) 5 adjustments; for mixed type of bilateral
otitis media (10 children) 5.3 adjustments; where no otitis
was initially detected (74 children) 5.88 adjustments. The
number of days it took to normalize the otoscopic examination
was for acute 6.67, chronic/serous 8.57 and mixed 8.3. The
number of days it took to normalize the tympanographic examination
was acute 8.35, chronic/serous 10.18 and mixed 10.9 days. The
overall recurrence rate over a six month period from initial
presentation in the office was for acute 11.02%, chronic/serous
16.34%, for mixed 30% and for none present 17.56%.
Prevention
and therapy of serous otitis media by oral decongestants. A
double-blind study in pediatric practice. Olson, AL; Klein
SW; Charney E. MacWhinney JB Jr., McInerny TK, Miller RL, Nazarian
LF, Cunningham D.. et al Pediatrics Vol. 62, May 1978, 679-84.
57%
of patients with phyaryngitis were treated on the first day
of sore throat with spinal manipulative therapy and salt water
gargle. All were symptom free the second day.
100% of patients
with laryngitis were treated on the first day of illness, with
spinal manipulative therapy and voice function returned to
normal within one day.
Characteristics of 217 children attending
a chiropractic college teaching clinic. Nyiendo J. Olsen E.
J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 1988; 11(2):78084.
The authors
found that pediatric patients at Western States Chiropractic
College public clinic commonly had ordinary complaints of ear-infection,
sinus problems, allergy, bedwetting, respiratory problems,
and gastro-intestinal problems. Complete or substantial improvement
was noted in 61.6% of pediatric patients of their chief complaint,
60.6% received “maximum” level
of improvement while 56.7% of adult patients received “maximum” level
of improvement.
Treatment protocols for the chiropractic care
of common pediatric conditions: otitis media and asthma.
Vallone S and Fallon JM Journal of Clinical Chiropractic
Pediatrics 1997 2(1) 113-115.
This paper is the result of a
survey of 33 chiropractors enrolled in the first year of a
three year postgraduate course in chiropractic pediatrics with
respect to otitis media and asthma. “Spinal adjusting
was most commonly used for both asthma and otitis media. The
atlas was adjusted in 100% of cases with otitis media and the
atlas or axis in 97% of asthma cases. 100% of the doctors adjusted
the thoracic region for asthma.
Chiropractic results with a
child with recurring otitis media accompanied by effusion.
Peet, JB Chiropractic Pediatrics, 1996;2:8-10.
This is a case
study of a five year old male with recurring otitis media.
During the six months of adjustments, the child had only one
middle ear infection with mild effusion. In the previous year,
the child had recurring middle ear infections with effusion
approximately every three to six weeks.
Cause of eustachian
tube constriction during swallowing in patients with otitis
media with effusion. Takahashi H; Miura M, Honjo I, Fujita
A. AnnOtol Rhinol Laryngol 1996; 105(9);724-8.
Inflammation
in the nasopharynx and the pharyngeal portion of the eustachian
tube was considered to be closely related to the tubal constriction,
which contributes to tubal ventilatory dysfunction in otitis
media with effusion.
Ear infection: a retrospective study examining
improvement from chiropractic care and analyzing influencing
factors. Froehle RM J Manipulative Physiol Ther 19 (3): 169-177
(Mar 1996)
This was a study of forty-six children aged 5 years
and under in a private practice in a Minneapolis suburb. Sacral
Occipital Technique-style pelvic blocking and the doctor’s
own modified applied kinesiology were employed. Typical care
consisted of three adjustments per week for one week, then
two adjustments per week for one week, then one adjustment
per week. Interestingly, children with a history of antibiotic
use were associated with a less favorable outcome.
93% of all
episodes improved, 75% in 10 days or fewer and 43% with only
one or two treatments. Young age, no history of antibiotic
use, initial episode (vs. recurrent) and designation of an
episode as discomfort rather than ear infection were factors
associated with improvement with the fewest number of adjustments.
Chronic
recurrent otitis media: case series of five patients with recommendations
for case management. Fysh PN, Journal of Clinical Chiropractic
Pediatrics 1996 1(2):66-78.
The author presents a case series
of five patients (ages 0 to 5) with chronic otitis media who
had previously been under regular medical pediatric care for
this condition for at least six months without resolution.
These children all underwent a program of chiropractic case
management, including specific spinal adjustments, and responded
to care from 3 days to 8 weeks.
All patients had excellent outcomes
with no residual morbidity or complications. All had five adjustments
to the spine. Of the five, 3 had an atlas subluxation, one
had an occipital subluxation and one had an atlas and axis
subluxations. These children were adjusted full spine as well.
The
response of a patient with otitis media to chiropractic care.
Thill L, Curtis J, Magallances S, Neuray P. Life Work 1995;
3: 23-28.
A 19 month old female with a chronic history of acute
episodes of suppurative otitis media was on antibiotics over
a six month period with no improvement. Antibiotics were stopped
and the patient then began a four week course of intensive
chiropractic care, with complete resolution at two weeks.
Neurological
Fitness Vol. V, No. 2 Jan 1996: Reviewer’s
Synopsis of this paper: this patient presented with glassy
eyes, a runny nose, and apparent discomfort evidenced by
continual tugging at both her ears. The mother reported that
her child had been like this over the previous six months.
In addition to the antibiotic therapy medical treatment also
included weekly steroid injections and inhalants to control
asthma...no improvement had been noticed by the mother and
several emergency room visits had been required due to asthmatic
attacks.
The atlas fixation syndrome in the baby and infant.
Gutmann G. Manuelle Medizin 1987 25:5-10, Trans. Peters RE.
This
is the case of an 18-month-old boy suffering from recurring
tonsillitis, frequent enteritis, and therapy resistant conjunctivitis.
He also suffered from colds, rhinitis, ear infections and
sleep disturbances.
“Immediately after (spinal adjustment),
the child demanded to be put to bed and for the first time
slept peacefully to the next morning. Previously disturbed
appetite normalized completely. Conjunctivitis cleared completely.”
Vertebral subluxations and otitis media: a case study. Phillips,
NJ. Chiropractic: The Journal of Chiropractic Research and
Clinical Investigation. Jul 1992, Vol: 8(2), pp.38-9. Author’s
abstract:
A 23-month-old female with chronic otitis media had
orthodox medical treatment with no relief of symptoms. Conventional
medical treatment included numerous regimens of broad-spectrum
antibiotics and bilateral myringotomies with tympanostomy
tube placement. The tubes were still in place on presentation.
Three days after initial adjustment (at C-1) the patient’s
ear drainage and pain were noticeably reduced. Child was
soon free of all symptoms.
Sore throat, difficulty in swallowing,
nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and alternating diarrhea
and constipation Neurological Fitness Vol. V, No. 2 Jan 1996:
This
is the case of a patient presented with a history of sore throat,
difficulty in swallowing, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite,
and alternating diarrhea and constipation. She was also suffering
from ear pain and ear discharge related to chronic otitis media
of 17 months duration. This condition had resisted several
regimens of antibiotics as well as surgery to insert tympanostomy
tubes.
Three days after the first adjustment, the ear pain and
discharge were substantially reduced. Continued correction
of C1 eventually resulted in both ears being clear of exudate.
At the time of this report, the patient has been symptom-free
for approximately four years.
A comparative study of the health
status of children raised under the health care models of chiropractic
and allopathic medicine. Van Breda, Wendy M. and Juan M. Journal
of Chiropractic Research Summer 1989.
In this study 200 pediatricians
and 200 chiropractors were interviewed and asked about their
children’s health.
More than 80% of the medical children suffered from at least
one bout of otitis media while only 31% of the chiropractic
children were so reported.
This study has a number of flaws,
one being that approximately 25% of the chiropractic children
had been vaccinated. Since vaccination weakens the child’s
immune system and predisposes to ear infections those children
should have been separated from the data. Still the study is
quite interesting and may serve as an inspiration for later
researchers to do further outcome studies.
Diagnosis and treatment
of TMJ, head, neck and asthmatic symptoms in children. Gillespie
BR, Barnes JF, J of Craniomandibular Practice. Oct. 1990, Vol
8, No. 4.
The authors note that pathologic strain patterns in
the soft tissues can be a primary cause of headaches, neck
aches, throat infections, ear infections, sinus congestion,
and asthma.
Structural normalization in infants and children
with particular reference to disturbances of the CNS. Woods
RH Journal Of The American Osteopathic Association, May 1973,72:
pp.903-908.
Post-traumatic epilepsy, allergic problems, otitis
media and dizziness have been relieved by cranial manipulation.
Blocked
atlantal nerve syndrome in babies and infants. Gutman G. Manuelle
Medizin (1987) 25:5-10.
Three case reports are reviewed to illustrate
a syndrome caused and perpetuated in babies and infants by
blocked nerve impulses at the atlas. Included in the clinical
picture are lowered resistance to infections, especially to
ear-nose-, and throat infections.
Chronic otitis media: a case
report. Hobbs DA, Rasmussen SA. ACA J of Chiropractic. Feb
1991;28:67-68.
This is a case study of a 38-year-old female
who had previously suffered from headaches and colitis that
had resolved after earlier chiropractic care.
Her hearing loss
and chronic otitis media symptoms subsided and hearing was
restored through chiropractic care and cranial adjustments.
From
Neurological Fitness Magazine V.1 No.4, July 1992:
“Dr. Peter Fysh hypothesized that cervical adjustments
relieve blockage to lymphatic drainage from the ears.” [Proceedings
of the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics
(ICA), 1991;37-45]
From Neurological Fitness Vol. V, No. 2 Jan
1996:
A 33-year-old male patient presented with a feeling of
fullness in his ears, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The patient
had a history of eustachian tube blockage since childhood.
His problems were not relieved by a course of antihistamines.
Following
diversified adjusting (primarily C2, C5), audiometry and tympanometry
findings normalized and his subjective complaints were alleviated.
Chronic
ear infections, strep throat, 50% right ear hearing loss, adenoiditis
and asthma. Case history by G. Thomas Kovacs, D.C. International
Chiropractic Pediatric Association newsletter. July 1995.
This
is the case of a 4 ½ year old female suffering
from chronic ear infections, strep throat, (on and off for
4 years) 50% right ear hearing loss, adenoiditis and asthma.
She
had been on antibiotics (Ceclor™ ), developed
pneumonia, was on bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory for
asthma and given steroids. ENT diagnosed child with enlarged
adenoids and scheduled surgery to remove child’s adenoids
and to put tubes in her ears.
Chiropractic history revealed
cervical (C2), thoracic (T3) and right sacroiliac subluxation.
She was adjusted 2x/week for 6 weeks. After 3 or 4 adjustments,
the mother noticed “a
changed child, she has life in her body again...acting like
a little girl again for the first time in 4 years.” After
6 weeks, pediatrician and ENT noticed no sign of ear infection
or inflammation. “Her adenoids, which were the worst
the ENT has ever seen, were perfectly normal and healthy.
Hearing tests revealed no hearing loss.
The family finally told
the child’s M.D.s that “all
medication was stopped 6 weeks ago when chiropractic care
started.” The family was told to continue chiropractic
care because it had “obviously worked.”
Chronic
ear infections. The side-effects of the chiropractic adjustment.
Arno Burnier, D.C. Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol. 1 No. 4 May
1995.
This is a case history of Tim and Patrick, males, ages
6 and 9 with a medical diagnosis of chronic ear infections
and who were on multiple courses of Ceclor ™ antibiotic
and Nebulizer ™ .
After adjustments (Tim - C2, C3, D12/L1,
Patrick - Oc/C1, Sacrum) both children have been free of medication
and over-the-counter drugs for the past three years.
Sinus Infections
Case report # 1589. International Chiropractic Pediatric
Association Newsletter May/June 1998. From the office of
Paul Zell, D.C., F.I.C.P.A.
A 12 year old boy, since the age
of three, had “non-stop
sinus infections every 2-3 months.” Antibiotics were
used to control the infections and previous surgeries included
removal of the tonsils and adenoids at age 3.
Chiropractor found
decreased cervical range of motion at C-2, C-7, T-3, T-5,
T-8 and right ileum fixations. By the second visit, antibiotics
were stopped and patient was asymptomatic of sinus infection.
By the third week of care posture corrected and child was
able to carry his head in an upright position. “Both
patient and parents are aware of the quality of life that
is returning as an apparent result of chiropractic care.
Infections
of the ear, nose and throat, Blood HA, Osteopathic Annals 6:11/
November 1978.
“My earliest impression of effective osteopathic
manipulation was the relief afforded painfully congested sinus
by manipulation of the neck and upper back."
Copyright 2004
Koren Publications, Inc. & Tedd
Koren, D.C.
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