Infections, ear infections, improved hearing deafness

Chiropractic results with a child with recurring otitis media accompanied by effusion. Chiropractic Pediatrics, 1996; 2:8-10.
Author's Abstract (Abridged): A case study of five year old male with recurring otitis media is reviewed. Chiropractic Biophysics spinal analysis methods and adjusting procedures were applied over a six month period. During the six months of adjustments the child had only one middle ear infection with mild effusion. In the previous year the child had recurring middle ear infections with effusion approximately every three to six weeks.
Note: Newer studies in the effectiveness of antibiotics for middle ear infections in child are reporting that child treated with antibiotics are more likely to have recurrences. Antibiotics are known to weaken resistance to disease and that is probably why children are so affected by their use.

Migraine as a cause of sudden hearing loss. Headache, 1996; 36:24-28. Virre ES, Baloh RW.
This review, from Neurological Fitness, discusses that about one person in a thousand each year are victims of permanent sudden hearing loss.(SHL) Drs. Masarsky and Weber write in Neurological Fitness Vol. VI No. 1 "If Drs. Virre and Baloh are correct in their conclusion that SHL can be associated with migraine, the two conditions should share a common neurophypathophysiology. From a chiropractic point of view, VSC involving the cervicothoracic junction could be expected to disturb [the stellate ganglion - associated with migraine] directly, while VSC involving the upper thoracic spine could disturb it indirectly. Recent chiropractic studies have indicated that cervicothoracic adjustments can benefit both pediatric and adult migraine sufferers, lending further support to the migraine-stellate relationship.

Ear Infection: A Retrospective Study Examining Improvement from Chiropractic Care and analyzing influencing factor. Froehle RM, JMPT Vol. 19, No. 3 March/April 1996.
Forty-six children aged 5 years and under in a private practice in a Minneapolis suburb. All care was done by a single chiropractor, who adjusted the subluxations found and paid particular attention to the cervical vertebrae and occiput. Sacral Occipital Technique-style pelvic blocking and the doctor's own modified applied kinesiology were also used. Typical care was three adjustments per week for one week, then two adjustments per week for one week, the on adjustment per week. Interestingly, children with a history of past antibiotic use was associated with a less favorable outcome.
Results (from the abstract): "93% of all episodes improved, 75% in 10 days of fewer and 43% with only one or two treatments. Young age, no history of antibiotic use, initial episode (vs. Recurrent) and designation of an episode as discomfort rather than ear infection were factors associated with improvement with the fewest treatments."

Chronic recurrent otitis media: case series of five patients with recommendations for case management. Fysh PN, Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol. 1, No. 2 1996.
From the abstract: The author has presented a case series of five patients with chronic otitis media who underwent a program of chiropractic case management, including specific spinal adjustments. All patients had excellent outcomes with no residual morbidity or complications. Hypothetical mechanisms for the putative effects of spinal adjustments at areas exhibiting signs of subluxation, in patients with otitis media, are presented.

The response of a patient with otitis media to chiropractic care. Thill L, Curtis J, Magallances S, Neuray P. Life Work, 1995; 3: 23-28.
Authors' Abstract: This paper discusses the case of a nineteen-month old female with a chronic history of acute episodes of suppurative otitis media. Treatment consisted of four series of antibiotics over a six-month period with no improvement; antibiotics were stopped and then began a four week course of intensive chiropractic care, with complete resolution at two weeks.
From Neurological Fitness Vol. V, No. 2 Jan 1996: Reviewer's Synopsis: This patient presented with glassy eyes, a runny nose, and apparent discomfort evidenced by continually tugging at both her ears. The mother reported that the child had been like this consistently over the previous six months. In addition to the antibiotic therapy noted in the abstract, medical treatment also included weekly steriod injections and inhalants to control asthma no improvement had been noticed by the mother and several emergency room visits had been required due to asthmatic attacks.
Diversified adjusting at C1, T1 and right sacroiliac joint every day for two weeks. Pulling at the ears, runny nose, and glassy eyes were resolved by the second visit.

The atlas fixation syndrome in the baby and infant. Gutmann G. Manuelle Medizin 1987 25:5-10, Trans. Peters RE.
18-months-old boy, recurring tonsillitis, frequent enteritis, therapy resistant conjunctivitis, suffered from colds, rhinitis, ear infections and sleep disturbances. "Immediately after (spinal adjustment) the child demanded to be put to bed and for the first time slept peacefully to the next morning. Previously disturbed appetite normalized completely. Conjunctivitis cleared completely."

Vertebral subluxation and otitis media: a case study. Phillips, NJ. Chiropractic: The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation. Jul 1992, Vol. 8(2), pp.38-9).
Author's abstract: In this case, a 23-month-old female with chronic otitis media who has undergone traditional medical treatment with no relief of symptoms finds sustained improvement with chiropractic care. A mechanism for the etiology of chronic otitis media is suggested.

From Neurological Fitness Vol. V, No. 2 Jan 1996: Patient presented with a history of sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and alternating diarrhea and constipation. She was also suffering from ear pain and ear discharge related to chronic otitis media of 17 months duration. This condition had resisted several regimens of antibiotics as well as surgery to insert tympanostomy tubes.
Three days after this first adjustment, the ear pain and discharge were substantially reduced. Continued correction of C1 eventually resulted in both ears being clear of exudate. At the time of this report the patient has been symptom-free for approximately four years.

A comparative study of the health status of children raised under the health care models of chiropractic and allopathic medicine. Van Breda, Wendy M. and Juan M. Journal of Chiropractic Research Summer 1989.
More than 80% of the medical children suffered from at least one bout of otitis media while only 31% of the chiropractic children were so reported.

Diagnosis and treatment of TMJ, head, neck and asthmatic symptoms in children. Gillespie BR, Barnes JF, J of Craniomandibular Practice. Oct. 1990, Vol 8, No. 4.
From the abstract: "Pathologic strain patterns in the soft tissues can be a primary cause of headaches, neckaches, throat infections, ear infections, sinus congestion, and asthma."

Structural normalization in infants and children with particular reference to disturbances of the CNS. Woods RH JAOA, May 1973, 72: pp.903-908.
Post-traumatic epilepsy, allergic problems, otitis media and dizziness have been relieved by cranial manipulation.

Blocked atlantal nerve syndrome in babies and infants. Gutman G. Mauelle Medizin (1987) 25:5-10.
From the abstract: Three case reports are reviewed to illustrate a syndrome that has so far received far too little attention, which is caused and perpetuated in babies and infants by blocked nerve impulses at the atlas. Included in the clinical picture are lowered resistance to infections, especially to ear-, nose-, and throat infections."

Chronic otitis media: a case report. Hobbs DA, Rasmussen SA. ACA J of Chiropractic, Feb 1991;28:67-68.
This is a case study of a 38-year-old female. She had previously suffered from headaches and colitis and they resolved after earlier chiropractic care. Her hearing loss and chronic otitis media symtoms subsided and hearing was restored through chiropractic care with an emphasis on cranial adjustments.(Note from Neurological Fitness Magazine V.1 No.4, July 1992: "Recently, Dr. Peter Fysh (Proceedings of the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics (ICA), 1991;37-45 hypothesized that cervical adjustments relieve blockage to lymphatic drainage from the ears.)

Aerotitis Media: A Case Report. Doyle EP, Dreifus LI, Dreifus GL. Chiropractic Sports Medicine, 1995; 9: 89-93.
Author's Abstract: The objective of this report is to determine if spinal manipulation affects symptoms associated with aerotis media (barotitis), which commonly affects underwater divers and airplane travels. This study involves a recreational scuba diver who has a history of eustachian tube blockage that is exacerbated by diving.

From Neurological Fitness Vol. V, No. 2 Jan 1996: The 33-year-old male patient presented with a feeling of fullness in his ears, hearing loss, and tinnitus: these problems were not relieved by a course of antihistamines (patient had a history of eustachian tube blockage since childhood).
Following Diversified adjusting (primarily C2, C5) audiometry and typanometry findings normalized. The patient's subjective complaints were alleviated as well.

Case history by G. Thomas Kovacs, D.C. International Chiropractic Pediatric Association newsletter. July 1995.
4 ½ year old female. Chronic ear infections, strep throat, (on and off for 4 years) 50% right ear hearing loss, adenoiditis and asthma.
Had been on antibiotics (Ceclor), developed pneumonia, on bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory for asthma. Also given steroids.
ENT diagnosed child with enlarged adenoids. Surgery to remove child's adenoids and put tubes in her ears was scheduled. Chiropractic history: cervical (C2) and thoracic (T3) and right sacroiliac subluxation. Numerous enlarged lymph nodes and muscle spasm. Chiropractic care of 2x/week for 6 weeks scheduled. After 3 or 4 adjustments mother noticed "a changed child, she has life in her body again acting like a little girl again for the first time in 4 years."
After 6 weeks, pediatrician and ENT noticed no sign of ear infection or inflammation, "Her adenoids, which were the worst the ENT has ever seen, were perfectly normal and healthy. Hearing tests revealed no hearing loss. Family told M.D.s 'all medication was stopped 6 weeks ago when chiropractic care because it had obviously worked."

The side-effects of the chiropractic adjustment. Arno Burnier, D.C. Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol. 1 No. 4 May 1995. This is a case history of T & P Roger, males, ages 6 and 9, from the records of Dr. Arno Burnier of Yardley, PA. 81 South Main Street, Yardley, PA 19067, 215-493-6589.
Medical Diagnoisis: Chronic ear infections.
Medication: Multiple course of Ceclor antibiotic, Nebulizer.
Chiropractic result: Both Children have been free of medication and over-the-counter drugs for the past three years since the onset of care.
Presenting Vertebral Subluxation: Tim C2, C3, D12/L1 Patrick Oc/C1, Sacrum.