Almost 35 percent of all pediatric visits are for ear problems - about 10 million cases per year involving ear infections (otitis media). Otitis media is caused either by a bacteria or a virus, and often follows a cold or is caused by the cold. Many children have ear infections year after year, and are at grave risk of suffering permanent hearing loss as well as other developmental problems.

Let's discuss anatomy and physiology of the ear. The Eustachian tube is a small tube that connects the middle ear to the throat and helps drain fluid from the middle ear out to the nasal passage in order to equalize pressure between the ear and the outside environment. If the tube is blocked, fluid builds up and puts pressure on the eardrum.

In a child, the Eustachian tube is short, narrow and horizontal, making it easy for fluid and microbes to remain trapped in it, especially if structures around it are compressing it. In an adult, is it wider and angled down to allow gravity to assist in drainage. Besides bones, there are muscles surrounding the Eustachian tube. The nerves that supply these muscles originate from cranial and cervical nerves, so if there is injury to these areas, the nerves may affect how the muscles work. If the muscles cannot dilate the Eustachian tube properly, this may cause an obstruction and lead to fluid buildup.

This is where structural chiropractic can help. Structural corrective adjustments remove interference within the nervous system by correcting misalignments in the spinal column without the use of drugs or surgery. Correcting structural misalignments also reduces muscle tension, decreases inflammation, increases mobility, and establishes proper blood flow, all of which can affect the function of the middle ear and Eustachian tube.

According to Dr. Joan Fallon, author of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, "Chiropractic mobilizes drainage of the ear in children, and if they can drain without a buildup of fluid and subsequent infection, they build their own antibodies and recover faster." Dr. Fallon focuses on the upper cervical area on children with otitis media, concentrating on the occiput (base of the skull), and upper two vertebrae in the neck. She states that close to 80% of the 332 children in the study did not experience another ear infection within a 6-month period. Pediatrician Dr. William Sears from Capistrano Beach, CA even states on his website, "I firmly believe that chiropractic adjustments to the skull and neck can improve middle ear drainage and decrease ear infections."

Dr. Wayne Fichter, D.C., is the lead doctor at Natural Spine Solutions, with more than 15 years of experience treating families. He also has been the lead doctor in handling serious neck and back problems through non-surgical spinal decompression. Call (208) 966-4425 for all of your spinal and wellness needs.