Nothing is worse than seeing your child in pain, especially when no one seems to have a solution. As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to watch, and as a healthcare provider, it’s frustrating to hear story after story of families who feel like they’ve run out of options. That’s why I love the work I do as an upper cervical chiropractor—because I often get to be the one who finally provides relief, even when other doctors have given up.
I recently had a very worried mother bring in her 3-year-old son, who had been suffering from nearly constant ear infections for the last year and a half. As she told me about the countless rounds of antibiotics, sleepless nights, and their failed attempts to find relief, her little boy sat there tugging at his ears and crying intermittently. It was clear how much he was hurting. But I had a feeling I could help, and fortunately, the statistics were on my side.
I know that chiropractic care isn’t the first thing most parents think of when their child has an ear infection. It’s understandable—after all, ears aren’t part of the spine. But there’s more of a connection than you might think. In fact, one study involving 332 children with chronic ear infections showed that 80% of them didn’t experience another ear infection within six months of starting upper cervical chiropractic care. That’s a pretty incredible success rate, but I’ve seen even better results in my own practice—closer to 90%.
So, how does it work? The explanation is actually quite simple. The joints in our spine contain receptors that send information to the brain. This information is then directed to various parts of the body, including a muscle called the tensor veli palatini. This muscle plays a crucial role in opening and closing the eustachian tube in the ear, which is responsible for draining fluid. When this muscle isn’t functioning properly, fluid can accumulate in the ear, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to grow, and resulting in repeated ear infections.
In cases like this, antibiotics might clear up the current infection, but if the tubes still aren’t draining properly, it’s only a matter of time before a new infection sets in. That’s why proper alignment of the cervical spine is so important. When the bones in the upper neck are aligned, the brain can send the correct signals to the tensor veli palatini muscle, ensuring that the eustachian tubes open and close as they should, allowing fluid to drain properly.
With my young patient, I found that he had a misalignment in the top bone of his neck. I made a gentle adjustment and sent them home. When they returned four days later, the ear infections had completely cleared up—and those were the last ear infections he ever had.
Seeing the relief on that mother’s face, knowing that her little boy was finally free from pain, is what makes this work so rewarding. If your child is struggling with chronic ear infections, it might be time to consider an upper cervical chiropractic adjustment. It could be the solution you’ve been searching for.
For those in Southwest Florida who have children that get chronic ear infections, Upper Cervical Health Centers, guided by Dr. Lee Angle, presents a distinct pathway to healing. The positive effects of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Treatment extend beyond conventional approaches, addressing the root cause of pain in the upper cervical spine. If you’re embarking on a journey toward lasting relief and holistic well-being, consider exploring the transformative benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Treatment with Dr. Lee Angle at Upper Cervical Health Centers. Your quest for aligning wellness and relieving pain begins here.
