Ear Infections continued

 

 

8) Chronic ear infections, strep throat, 50% right ear hearing loss, adenoiditis and asthma. Case history by G. Thomas Kovacs, D.C. International Chiropractic Pediatric Association Newsletter. July 1995.

4 1/2 year old female with chronic ear infections, strep throat, (on and off for 4 years) 50% right ear hearing loss, adenoiditis and asthma. Had been on antibiotics (Ceclor), developed pneumonia, on bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory for asthma. Also given steroids. ENT diagnosed child with enlarged adenoids. Surgery to remove child’s adenoids and to put tubes in her ears was scheduled. Chiropractic history: cervical (C2)and thoracic (T3) and right sacroiliac subluxation. Numerous enlarged lymph nodes and muscle spasm. Chiropractic care of 2x/week for 6 weeks scheduled. After 3 or 4 adjustments mother noticed “a changed child, she has life in her body again...acting like a little girl again for the first time in 4 years.” After 6 weeks, pediatrician and ENT noticed no sign of ear infection or inflammation, “Her adenoids, which were the worst the ENT has ever seen, were perfectly normal and healthy. Hearing tests revealed no hearing loss. Family told M.D.s ‘all medication was stopped 6 weeks ago when chiropractic care started.’ Shocked and confused by this answer, the family was told to continue chiropractic care because it had obviously worked.’”

9) Chronic ear infections The side-effects of the chiropractic adjustment. Arno Burnier, D.C. Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol. 1 No. 4 May 1995.

This is a case history of T & P Roger, males, ages 6 and 9, from the records of Dr. Arno Burnier of Yardley, PA. Medical Diagnosis: Chronic ear infections. Medication: Multiple course of Ceclor antibiotic, Nebulizer. Chiropractic result: Both children have been free of medication and over-the-counter drugs for the past three years since the onset of care. Presenting Vertebral Subluxation: Tim C2, C3, D12/L1 Patrick Oc/C1, Sacrum.

10) Ear Infections: A Case Study by Harley Bofshever D.C. International Chiropractic Pediatric Association Newsletter Nov-Dec, 1999.

HISTORY: An upset father presented to my office on 4-30-99, with his 9 year old son, who has been having chronic ear infections, Patient's father states that his son has had ear infections for the past 6 years and are progressively getting worse- He states that his son has been on and off antibiotics, Amoxycillin and Biaxin on a regular basis at least every 6 weeks for the past 6 years. It is noted that this patient has had prior surgery when tubes were put in his ears, approximately 5 years ago. The tube in his left ear recently fell out. Upon the patient's last visit to his EENT, another surgery to remove the remaining tube and reinsert new tubes in both ears was suggested. Additionally it was suggested to remove his tonsils and adenoids at that time. At exam, the patient was scheduled to have this surgery in 3 weeks. History of the mother’s pregnancy and birth were unobtainable due to a divorce and father did not recollect much about the delivery. It is noted that this patient is a heavy dairy consumer. At this time, I have discussed with the father the benefits of chiropractic care for his child and he has agreed to postpone the surgery for 6 weeks and give chiropractic a chance.

EXAMINATION: An in depth chiropractic examination was performed, which revealed bilateral effusion and scar tissue in both ears. Patient has submandibular glandular swelling as well as tonsillitis and redness of the throat. There is also swelling of the posterior cervical musculature, with inflammation bilaterally at the splenius capitus and splenius cervicus. Range of motion to the cervical spine is within normal limits. There is a positive foraminal compression test. Static and motion palpation examination reveals evidence of C2 and C6 subluxation complexes. Postural analysis showed a left head tilt with a high right shoulder.

CARE PLAN: Recommendations were made for adjustments 3 times a week for 6 weeks at which time he will be reevaluated and a new care plan will be determined. Nutritional recommendations were made. I have recommended discontinuing the use of all dairy products at this point. Due to the heavy antibiotic usage, I have also advised this patient to take acidopholus and lactovasic acid to help replenish the normal flora in the gastrointestinal tract.

PATIENT'S PROGRESS: The patient has shown vast signs of improvement after his second adjustment. His father stated that his son is much more alert, is concentrating better in school. The teachers have actually noted the improvement the last 2 days. The father also states that his son has not complained about his ears bothering him since the first adjustment. It is also noted that his throat pain had begun to clear up after his second visit. At the end of the 6-week program, the patient was reevaluated. There was no more effusion in either ear. Rhinnes and Weber test were within normal limits. Tonsils and adenoids were back to their normal size. The father stated that surgery was no longer indicated by the EENT. The patient was advised to continue care plan of 1 time a week for the next 6 weeks to and will continue to be monitored. After that time, he may be put on a wellness care plan of 1 time a month for chiropractic evaluations.

DISCUSSION: To this date is has been approximately 5 months since the patient's first visit to our office. He has had no bouts of ear infections up to this time, no sore throats, no colds, no flu's and has been on no medication. He is back on dairy, however his consumption is much less than previously consumed. This patient is now back to a normal lifestyle and patient's father has also reported that his grades are up since he started his chiropractic care. This patient will continue a once a month chiropractic evaluation program and since his son has done so well, the father has decided to have his other son put under chiropractic care because of a learning disability due to a hearing problem.

Additional Publications:

1) Treatment protocols for the chiropractic care of common pediatric conditions: otitis media and asthma. Vallone S and Fallon JM Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol 2, No.1 1997. P. 113-115

This paper’s purpose presents the results of a survey of chiropractors enrolled in the first year of a three year postgraduate course in chiropractic pediatrics. The survey sought to establish if consensus existed with respect to the modalities these doctors used to treat two of the most common childhood disorders seen by chiropractors: otitis media and asthma. Thirty-three doctors of chiropractic participated in the survey. “Of the primary therapeutic modalities employed by the chiropractor, spinal adjusting was the most commonly used for both asthma and otitis media. Certain areas of the spine were addressed most frequently for each of the two conditions.

2) Cause of Eustachian tube constriction during swallowing in patients with otitis media with effusion. Takahashi H; Miura M, Honjo I, Fujita A. AnnOtol Rhinol Laryngol 1996; 105(9);724-8.

Inflammation in the nasopharynx and the pharyngeal portion of the Eustachian tube was considered to be closely related to the tubal constriction, which represents a considerable part of the cause of tubal ventilatory dysfunction in otitis media with effusion.

3) Chronic recurrent otitis media: case series of five patients with recommendations for case management. Fysh PN, Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol. 1, No. 2 1996.

The author has presented a case series of five patients (ages 0 to 5) with chronic otitis media who had previously been under regular medical pediatric care for this condition. These children all underwent a program of chiropractic case management, including specific spinal adjustments. All patients had excellent outcomes with no residual morbidity or complications. All had five adjustments to the spine. Of the five, 3 had an atlas subluxation, one had an occipital subluxation and one had an atlas and axis subluxations. These children were adjusted full spine as well. Hypothetical mechanisms for the putative effects of spinal adjustments at areas exhibiting signs of subluxation, in patients with otitis media, are presented in the paper.

4) From Neurological Fitness Vol. V, No. 2 Jan 1996:

Reviewer’s Synopsis: This patient presented with glassy eyes, a runny nose, and apparent discomfort evidenced by continually tugging at both her ears. The mother reported that the child had been like this consistently over the previous six months. In addition to the antibiotic therapy noted in the abstract, medical treatment also included weekly steroid injections and inhalants to control asthma...no improvement had been noticed by the mother and several emergency room visits had been required due to asthmatic attacks. Diversified adjusting at C1, T1 and right sacroiliac joint every day for two weeks. Pulling at the ears, runny nose, and glassy eyes were resolved by the second visit.

5) Sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and alternating diarrhea and constipation From Neurological Fitness Vol. V, No. 2 Jan 1996:

Patient presented with a history of sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and alternating diarrhea and constipation. She was also suffering from ear pain and ear discharge related to chronic otitis media of 17 months duration. This condition had resisted several regimens of antibiotics as well as surgery to insert tympanostomy tubes. Three days after this first adjustment, the ear pain and discharge were substantially reduced. Continued correction of C1 eventually resulted in both ears being clear of exudate. At the time of this report, the patient has been symptom-free for approximately four years.

6) A comparative study of the health status of children raised under the health care models of chiropractic and allopathic medicine. Van Breda, Wendy M. and Juan M. Journal of Chiropractic Research Summer 1989.

More than 80% of the medical children suffered from at least one bout of otitis media while only 31% of the chiropractic children were so reported.

Read additional articles on Ear Infections:

1) Otitis Media -Dr Claudia Anrig

References from Koren Publications’ brochure: Ear Infections and Chiropractic

Van Buchem F.L., Dunk J.H.M., and Van’t Hof M.A. Therapy of Acute Otitis Media: Myringotomy, Antibiot-ics, or Neither? Lancet, October 24, 1981, pp. 883-887.

Diamant, M., M.D. and Diamant B, M.D. Abuse and Timing of Use of Antibiotics in Acute Otitis Media.

Archives of Otolaryngology Vol 100, Sept 1974, pp. 226-232.

Olson, A. L. et al Prevention and Therapy of Serous Otitis Media by Oral Decongestants. A Double-Blind

Study in Pediatric Practice. Pediatrics Vol. 62, May 1978, 679-84.

The People’s Doctor, A Medical Newsletter for Consumers, Vol. 9, No.5. August 1981. pp.1-4.

Hendricks, C.L., D.C. Thier, S.M., D.C. Otitis Media in Young Children, Chiropractic Jan. 1989 Vol 2 No.1 pp. 9-13.

Gutman G, Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome in Babies and Infants, Manuelle Medizin (1987) 25:5-10.

Purse F.M. Manipulative Therapy of Upper Respiratory Infections In Children. Journal of the American

Osteopathic Association. 65: pp 964-971, 1966