Research News Staff
New Research on Sheds Light on Ear Infections & Chiropractic

Chiropractic May Play Important Role for Suffering Children 

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 managing these patients.  The literature included supports the role of chiropractic in those suffering from the related health challenges and calls for more research in this area.

CLICK HERE to review the study 

“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 recurrent 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 chronic 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 significant disruption in quality of life as a result of her chronic ear infections and the medical interventions did not help. It wasn’t until the chiropractic intervention that the child improved dramatically and in a very short time.”  

The 3-year-old female in this study had been experiencing an ongoing cycle of painful ear infections in both ears.  Her primary care physician prescribed multiple rounds of antibiotics, which did not resolve the problem.  Any time she would get a cold or flu symptoms, she would get an ear infection.  Her mother tried over the counter ear drops as well, which did not help either.  Due to the poor outcome of previous treatment, she was scheduled to have surgery on both ears.   

The chiropractor examined her and found, tight muscles, and structural shifts in her upper neck, mid back, and pelvis.  Range of motion and other testing 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, she experienced marked improvement in her symptoms.   Her ear infections cleared, and she was able to avoid having surgery on her ears. 

The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.

Contact Information: 

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic
http://www.chiropracticpediatricresearch.com
support@vertebralsubluxationresearch.com
McCoy Press