Pediatric Conditions in Andover MN

Chiropractic Andover MN Pediatric Conditions

Ear Infections

According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, acute otitis media is the most diagnosed and misdiagnosed condition in childhood and is 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. Symptoms of otitis media with effusion include fluid in the ear without the presence of other symptoms.

The anatomy of a child’s ear, paired with neurological compensation due to fixation of the cervical spine, 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.

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. Research shows that chiropractic adjustments to the sacrum result in more regular bowel movements.

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. If spitting up is frequent and obviously uncomfortable for 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 HERD 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.

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 and esophagus, 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 and esophagus, leading to proper function.