Many a parent has been woken by the sound of their child in agony with a painful ear infection.  Ear infections (otitis media) can be particularly cruel in cold windy weather. I’ve had a few cases in the clinic recently so I thought I’d share my experience with you.

Almost half of all children will have at least one middle ear infection before they are a year old, and two thirds of them by the age of three. For some children, it can become a chronic problem, requiring treatment year after year, and putting the child at risk of permanent hearing damage and associated speech and developmental problems.

An earache can result when the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear with the throat, enlarges and becomes inflamed. This inflammation prevents proper drainage. Fluids can become trapped behind the eardrum, often putting painful pressure on delicate tissues. This dampness creates a perfect environment for bacteria or viruses.

Standard treatment for most cases of otitis media is with antibiotics, which can be very effective if the culprit is bacterial. Antibiotics, of course, do nothing to fight off viruses nor do they prevent reoccurrence.

A traditional method for treating frequent infections in young children is a surgical procedure involving making a small hole in the eardrum and placing a tube inside. The tube relieves pressure in the ear and prevents repeated fluid build up with the continuous venting of fresh air. In most cases, the membrane pushes the tube out after a couple of months and the hole in the eardrum closes.

Although the treatment is effective, it has to be repeated in some 20 to 30 percent of cases. And this kind of surgery requires general anaesthesia, never a minor thing in a small child. If the infection persists even after tube placement and removal, children sometimes undergo further surgery to remove their adenoids, clearly this is just treating the symtoms of the problem and not the actual cause!

As a chiropractically trained practitoner, I do my up most to avoid drugs and surgery where possible and appropriate. Frequent ear infections may be a sign that your child’s nervous system is not working efficiently. Whilst a chiropractic adjustment does not treat ear infections, it certainly does work on the nervous system, removing interference so that it can get on with its job of healing the body naturally.

A US study has published research showing that, after receiving a series of chiropractic adjustments, nearly 80 per cent of the children treated were free of ear infections for at least the six month period following their initial visits (a period that also included maintenance treatments every four to six weeks). My own experience in treating ear infections in young patients mirrors these findings and more.

A chiropractic adjustment aids drainage of the ear in children. If the ears can continue to drain without a build up of fluid and subsequent infection, the child can build up their own antibodies and recover more quickly. Chiropractic adjustments are safe and effective and I’d certainly recommend trying them before resorting to surgery.

You should also be aware that young children are adept at pushing small items into their ears so do check this possibility too and seek medical help – never push anything pointed object into your child’s ears.

To return to my opening sentence, if you want to make your child more comfortable before seeking help for an ear infection, support them with cushions so they are in a upright position. Don’t give them decongestants and I hope that you never smoke around your child.

Sometimes it helps for the child to hold a soft cloth or blanket to their ear to stop draughts getting into the sensitive ear. Do call NHS Direct if you think the condition is worsening.  I would point out that I have adjustment my three year old daughter Aimee since she was born as part of her maintenance or preventative care.  She has never had an ear infection let alone a course of antibiotics once in her life.  Although he still gets the odd sniffle, her immune system is able to cope admirably with anything that life throws at it and long may that continue!