3 Natural Ways to Avoid Surgery due to Ear Infections

By Dr. Molly Casey

If you have kids, you’ve likely heard about tubes in the ears, but do you know what they are? And do you know why kids get them? Most don’t, so let’s go over this topic and see what you can do to make sure your child isn’t one of the many who experience this situation while growing up.

Ear Tubes

While not normal, it’s common that some kids experience recurrent ear infections and often it occurs in kids under 2 years of age. The common medical treatment for these ear infections is antibiotics. When a child experiences recurrent ear infections that don’t seem to resolve with the use of these prescription drugs, the next step is often a surgical procedure, called myringotomy when done in one ear and bilateral myringotomy when done in both ears. In this procedure, a small tube called a pressure equalization or tympanostomy tube, is placed in the middle ear. The intention is that the tube helps drain fluid and allow air into the middle ear; the tubes are hollow and thus equalize pressure. In turn, it’s thought the tube will decrease the incidents of ear infections and pain associated with fluid buildup.

Alternative Options

Most parents want to avoid surgery for their little ones at all cost and, of course, I also understand that you don’t want them to needlessly suffer. So, are there options other than myringotomy surgery for chronic ear infections? The answer is yes.

Chiropractic Care

While chiropractic care doesn’t treat any specific infection or disease, it does promote proper function of the body, immune and lymph systems. The immune system fights off infections and diseases and the lymph system transports waste out of the cells. Supporting the optimal functioning of these two systems through chiropractic adjustments of the neck and upper back are a great way to directly increase your body’s ability to be healthier, prevent and fight off infections, and expedite the healing process when they are present.

To find a local chiropractor and to learn more about how chiropractic care can help those suffering from ear infections, contact or visit one of our chiropractic offices today, to speak with a licensed doctor of chiropractic.

EarDoc

The EarDoc is a product one can buy in stores. Although I have not used this product myself, I have heard about excellent results from this non-invasive alternative to help relieve the pressure in the middle ear, thus decreasing pain and increasing healing and fluid movement. The EarDoc is a hand-held device that one holds behind the ear. It releases sonic vibration waves that travel through the bone to release the fluid and decrease the pain. Depending on their age, children can actually hold the device themselves. So this a natural, non-invasive way to promote healing when the infection is present.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are highly concentrated versions of natural oils found in plants. They are used to promote health, fight disease, and cleanse and purify the body, among many other things. Common oils used in treatment of ear infections are garlic, tea tree, and chamomile. Here is a great article to review if you’re interested in different alternative options, including essential oils to help move through and heal more quickly from ear infections.

Parents know ear infections can be exhausting and difficult. Moving through these issues is not easy. But there are often alternatives to what is most readily available and taught. These options must simply be sought out. Please, if you have questions about this, allow your chiropractor to help you help your little one heal quickly and efficiently while promoting the overall health of their body!

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