What Are Chronic Ear Infections?
Ear infections are a common ailment that almost everyone will experience at least once. Children are particularly susceptible to ear infections, as 30 million children per year go to the pediatrician to treat this problem. Infections in the ear are painful, as well as dangerous—they may cause long-term damage to the ear, or result in permanent ear problems.
Ear infections occur when there is a build-up of fluid trapped behind the eardrum that contains bacteria or viruses. Normally, the immune system would kick in and fight off minor infections. If not, your doctor can usually treat infections.
When ear infections are chronic, it means the problem keeps recurring. If the infections keep recurring, it indicates that the root cause of the problem is probably not being addressed.
Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Ear Infections
An ear infection is usually painful. The pain may be dull and achy, or in some cases may be sharp and stabbing. You may feel pressure in the ear, or there may be a discharge. The ear may itch or feel irritated.
Infections can cause general flu-like symptoms as well: fever, fatigue, or poor appetite, just to name a few. Ear infections can also cause balance problems or vertigo, or may cause hearing loss.
Unfortunately, a go-to treatment for ear infections has long been antibiotics. The over-prescription of antibiotics has led to resistant strains of bacteria that become harder to treat.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Chronic Ear Infections
The upper cervical spine is comprised of the seven uppermost vertebrae, which start at the base of the skull, run down the neck, and go into the upper back. These vertebrae are close to the vessels and nerves that lead to the inner ear. Any misalignment of these vertebrae may cause inflammation or swelling that puts pressure on the vessels and nerves, which may lead to the backup of fluids that lead to infections.
If a misalignment of the upper cervical spine is the culprit behind your ear infections, then medications, rest, or ear drainage will only bring temporary relief. The spine will need to be corrected to keep the infections from reoccurring.
How We Treat Chronic Ear Infections
To prevent painful ear infections from reoccurring, we get to the root of the problem: an adjustment of the upper cervical spine. Dr. Elder is a specialist in upper cervical care. He is an expert in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a method that combines advanced medical technology and gentle, non-invasive, drug-free corrections.
Treatment begins with a thorough screening using state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging tools. By pinpointing the exact location of even minute misalignments, Dr. Elder can apply manual manipulations that are gentler, quicker, and more precise than traditional chiropractic techniques. Parents will be happy to hear that the Blair technique is even safe enough for children.
Follow-up visits will ensure the alignment is holding. Once realigned, the body's natural healing mechanisms can begin working on restoring health. As inflammation decreases and the body resumes its natural functions, ear infections should cease. Dr. Elder recommends patients continue with regular check-ups as a preventative measure to ensure problems do not return.
If you or your child are suffering from chronic ear infections, call Dr. Elder's office to see if chiropractic care can help. Our office treats patients in Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.