It is estimated that nearly 75 percent of children under the age of three years will experience at least one ear infection. Ear infections are the most common reasons children are taken to their pediatrician. While ear infections are clearly “common” they are in no way without pain and discomfort to the child experiencing them. Ear infections occur when there is fluid build-up and inflammation in the middle ear and as a result of fluid stagnation results in possible bacteria build-up within the ear. 

Symptoms and Causes

Bacteria or virus in the middle ear is generally what results from congestion of fluid as a result of less than optimal flow of lymphatics within the head and neck areas. This causes ear infections, which can be painful due to inflammation and a build-up of fluids. Allergies, flu, and colds can produce an overproduction of fluids and hence, ear infection from the congestion and swelling of nasal passages, throat and eustachian tubes.  Commonly the symptoms of fluid stagnation develops quickly. The most common symptoms include:

• Ear pain, worsened when lying down
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeling of fullness in the ear
• Diminished hearing
• Loss of balance
• Fever
• Headache

Symptoms to Look for in Children

• Tugging or pulling on the ear
• Crying more than usual
• Irritable/changes in mood
• Lack of response to sounds
• Fevers over 100° F

Antibiotics are generally the first line of treatment when a child is seen for an Ear Infection. Along with antibiotics the physician may also recommend over-the-counter pain relief medications, ear drops, administering of heat and other interventions. 

Through Pediatric Chiropractic care and other alternative manual hands-on techniques Ear Infections can be prevented and quickly erradicated.  How exactly? Be mindful of 2 things, (1) spinal and cranial misalignment can cause undue pulling on the child’s neck muscles creating fascial tension within the head and neck drainage canals, effecting the eustachian tubes; and (2) this tension leads to dysfunction of lymphatic system around and inside the ears that drain lymphatic fluid causing a build-up and creating an unhealthy environment and risk for infection.

Chiropractic pediatric gentle adjustments reduce the tension of misalignments all throughout the body–restoring normal muscular physiology. Gentle spinal adjustments to the musculoskeletal system reduce stress related interferences thereby enhancing overall body function. The Body’s systems (respiratory, circulatory, muscular, glandular, digestive, hormonal, eliminatory, and immunological) rely on the optimal functioning of the craniosacral system. 

Pediatric Chiropractic care allow the body to restore its natural state of function and health. The best course of action is to support the body in regaining its balanced flow within the lymphatic system. The science of physiology has made clear that the body is an intricate ecosystem.  Chiropractic care focuses on returning the body to normal physiological function. Once balanced your lymphatic system flow functions at optimal efficiency.

The Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics published a study indicating a strong correlation between chiropractic adjustments and the resolution of ear infections.  332 children experiencing chronic ear infections were enrolled in the study. Their ages ranged from 27 days to 5 years, and each was given a series of gentle chiropractic care.  The conclusion of the study showed nearly 80% of the children no longer experienced ear infections within the six-month period following their initial visits.

It’s important to understand that imbalance in the internal tissues of the cranium influence the structure and integrity of the Eustachian Tube. The Eustachian Tube is a small channel that drains fluid and mucous build up from the middle ear into the back of the throat.

Another alternative approach to treating and preventing Ear Infections is Craniosacral Therapy. For babies and children who suffer with ear infections Craniosacral treatment focuses on the fluid flow, re-alignment and balance of the cranial and facial structures that correlate to the Eustachian Tubes. This is because it’s critical that the Eustachian Tubes themselves is freely mobile and able to drain the middle ear.  Craniosacral Therapy has effectively treated children suffering from chronic ear infections. Craniosacral treatment addresses factors causing stress to the immune and nervous system which may be driving increased susceptibility to infection. These stressors are removed by releasing stagnation restrictions and fluid flow congestion in the cranium and the ears.

A healthy cranium is a balanced cranium where the Eustachian tube is a free channel that drains efficiently, keeping the middle ear clear and clean.   It’s when the Eustachian Tube is blocked that the middle ear can become infected, inflamed and swollen, becoming a perfect environment for the proliferation of bacteria and viruses.

Seeking out alternative means of treatment can be beneficial for the child and the parents. Through Chiropractic care and craniosacral therapy the child with chronic Ear Infections can experience immediate improvement and relief long-term. 

About Dr. Kaminsky & Craniosacral Therapy

Having a Chiropractic background since the year 2000, Dr. Kaminsky offers many methods of treatment with an emphasis on Craniosacral Therapy in NYC.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a method focusing on the link between the cranium (head) and sacrum (the second to last bone at the base of your spine), scientifically proven to work in unison to pump fluid throughout the body, an unknown disruption of which can cause many health issues.  The craniosacral mechanism pumps vital fluid called cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) through the body and in a sense energetically lubricates the joints, tissues, organs; basically all cells of the body. It is the driving force of all your body’s systems of function; including maintaining the tone of your muscles.

The Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) are surrounded with CSF generating energetic rhythmic impulses of fluid delicately pumping throughout your body’s parts “breathing” the movement of life. This measurable rhythm of moving fluid, like the heart rhythm, pulse rhythm, breathing rhythm is the foundational “blueprint” and primary principle of our real-time state of our health. 

Compromises of our rhythmic movements of fluid flow correlates to the impulse restrictions in the system which the body is unable to overcome or self-correct. This is the reason why we have “dis-ease”, symptoms, conditions, basically all ailments.  This is where the skill of an experienced craniosacral therapist becomes valuable.  By placing his or her hands on your body the practitioner can feel, detect, evaluate, and facilitate correction of these restrictive arrhythmic impulses.

The craniosacral therapist helps your rhythm restore and renew in compromised areas allowing for healing to take place of sensory, motor, musculoskeletal, neurological disorders, symptoms, conditions and pain.  To learn more, visit the other pages on this website. Call to schedule your healing treatment with Dr. Kaminsky.