Pediatric Conditions

Ear Infections 

According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, ear infections (acute otitis media) are the most diagnosed and misdiagnosed condition in childhood and are one of the primary factors in increased antibiotic resistance. Otitis media is a general term used to describe several conditions of the middle ear. Symptoms of acute otitis media include fever, earache, temporary loss of hearing, ear tugging, poor sleep, and other respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and congestion.  

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It is important to note that “fluid in the ear” does not mean your child has an ear infection. Fluid in the ear without the presence of other symptoms is known as otitis media with effusion. It may take 1-3 months for fluid to completely resolve, but most fluid clears on its own sooner.  

Traditional treatment options for ear infections include the use of antibiotics. Up to 80% of doctor’s visits for ear infections result in an antibiotic prescription. More pediatric agencies are recommending the “watch-and-wait” protocol as a first line treatment of ear infections. Up to 80% of ear infections resolve spontaneously within 48 to 72 hours without the use of antibiotics. Viral ear infections can take up to 2 weeks to resolve.   

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Here at Essentials of Life Chiropractic, we recognize symptoms as a signal from the body that something is wrong. The anatomy of a child’s ear, paired with neurological compensation due to fixation of the cervical spine often caused during labor and delivery, creates a perfect environment for ear infections to occur. When fixation of the cervical spine occurs, fluid drainage is impaired, blockage of the eustachian tube occurs, and neurological reflexes increase fluid and inflammation in the ear. Getting regularly adjusted plays a vital role in caring for a little one with ear infections. 

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Constipation 

La Leche League International defines constipation as “when a baby experiences, hard, dry, infrequent bowel movements that are difficult and painful to pass.” Up to 29% of children experience constipation. The exact cause of constipation is difficult, often making treatment difficult. Traditional treatment options for constipation include stool softeners, laxatives, enemas, and more.  

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Here at Essentials of Life Chiropractic, we recognize symptoms as a signal from the body that something is wrong. Misalignments of the spine, particularly of the sacrum and low back, put excess stress on the nervous system, impeding the ability of the digestive system to regulate itself. Research shows that chiropractic adjustments to the sacrum result in more regular bowel movements by allowing the digestive system to function at its best.  

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Reflux 

For otherwise healthy babies, occasionally spitting up is a laundry issue, not a medical issue. A baby’s sphincter is not yet fully developed, so babies may spit up if there is too much food in the stomach, particularly liquids. In addition, a baby’s stomach does not contain the digestive enzymes and stomach acid needed to break down certain foods. If spitting up is frequent and obviously uncomfortable for a baby, it may be that your baby is experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD occurs when the muscle between the stomach and esophagus, called a sphincter, fails to keep the stomach contents within the stomach. The main symptom of GERD is spitting up with signs of discomfort. Other symptoms may include: discomfort lying down, poor sleep, excessive crying, or arching their back when feeding or burping. 

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Misalignments of the spine, called subluxations, put excess pressure on the nerves exiting the spine. Because the nervous system is responsible for every function in the body, including that of the stomach, esophagus, large intestine, and rectum, this excess stress can cause altered nerve function called Nerve Interference. Nerve Interference diminishes the number of signals reaching the organs from the brain, causing dysfunction of those organs. Realigning the spine relieves the excess pressure on the nerves, allowing the brain to communicate clearly with the stomach, esophagus, large intestine, and rectum, leading to proper function. 

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