Earache is the first reason for visiting chiropractors in children.  A lot of chiropractors are certain that there is a strong correlation between the procedures of birth and chronic ear infection, which is also termed otitis media. Usually, during the birth process, the neck or the cervical vertebrae can be aligned in a wrong position, interfering with the function of nerves. This will eventually influence the Eustachian tube, leading to fluid accumulation in the middle ear, causing otitis media.

Otitis media or ear infection represents more than thirty five percent of all visits to the pediatrician in the States. The usual treatments are antibiotics, but unfortunately, they are sometimes ineffective, furthermore, they may even cause recurrent ear infection.

Every year, millions of children have to deal with an ongoing cycle of repeated ear infections, which lead them back to the pediatrician, who will prescribe more and more antibiotics. For nearly a century, the chiropractors have been claiming that the ears as well as other upper respiratory tract infections are responding positively to chiropractic manipulation.

Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics published a recent study suggesting that there is a strong link between the chiropractic treatment and the resolution of otitis media. About 331 child patients, suffering from chronic otitis media, had participated in this study.  Children’s ages were ranging from one month to five years old. Each participant received a group of chiropractic adjustments. The results showed that about eighty percent of the children didn’t suffer from a single episode of otitis media within the period of 6 months after their first chiropractic visit.

Experts say that in children, the chiropractic manipulation of the back of the skull (occiput) or the first neck vertebra (atlas) will help in the drainage of the middle ear and will prevent further accumulation of fluids in this area, giving the chance for the bodies of the children to develop their own antibodies, and they will be cured more rapidly.

The side effects of chiropractic manipulation for children are very rare, as this is a painless non-invasive upper cervical adjustment, which uses no drugs at all. It is usually performed through painless pressures in children, instead of the forcible movements used in case of adults.