Ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their child to a doctor. In fact, by the age of three, five out of six children will have had at least one. The medical term for an ear infection is otitis media, which refers to inflammation in the middle ear, often caused by a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum.
Why do children experience them so often?
One reason is because of the shape and function of their eustachian tubes—the small passageways that help drain fluid from the ear into the throat. In children, these tubes are shorter, more level, and more easily blocked by mucus during a cold or respiratory illness. When fluid can’t drain properly, pressure builds up. That’s when pain, swelling, and sometimes infection can begin.
But Awaken Chiropractic Center, we look deeper. Rather than just treating the symptoms, we ask: what’s causing the body to struggle with drainage and immune function in the first place?
Many case studies—including one recently published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic—point to a connection between spinal misalignments (called vertebral subluxations) and recurring ear infections.
The Nervous System’s Role in Helping the Body Heal Naturally
When there are structural imbalances in the spine, especially in the upper neck, it can interfere with how the nervous system communicates with the rest of the body. These tiny shifts in the spine can also block normal lymphatic drainage and affect how well the middle ear and eustachian tubes clear out fluid. Subluxations may not always cause pain right away, but they can quietly disrupt the body’s function, making ear infections and illness much too frequent.
Gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments help restore alignment and ease interference in the nervous system. This allows the body to do what it’s designed to do: heal and self-regulate from within.
A Real-Life Case: An 8-Year-Old Girl with Ear Infections
In the published case, an 8-year-old girl was suffering from ear infections, sinus congestion, back pain, and low energy. Her ear infections often appeared alongside colds. Upon examination, her chiropractor found muscle tension and misalignments in her upper neck, mid-back, and lower spine, areas known to impact nerve supply and drainage.
After beginning chiropractic care, her symptoms improved quickly. By the third day of care, her ear infections had resolved without the use of antibiotics or medications!
Supporting the Body—Not Just Treating the Symptoms
With the growing concerns around antibiotic overuse in children and the side effects of many over-the-counter medications, chiropractic offers a natural, drug-free approach that supports the whole child—structurally and neurologically.
Correcting vertebral subluxations can help unlock the body’s natural healing potential, giving children the chance to thrive with fewer interventions and greater resilience.
Is your child struggling with recurring ear infections?
You know your child better than anyone else. If something feels off, trust that knowing.
They may be common, but ear infections are NOT normal and your child’s body is capable of so much more!
You don’t have to wait for another round of antibiotics.
You can choose to restore clarity and balance to their nervous system gently, naturally, and effectively by scheduling an evaluation at Awaken Chiropractic Center – today!
Resolution of Otitis Media in an 8-Year-Old Female Pediatric Patient After Undergoing Chiropractic Care: A Case Report & Selective Review of Literature. Eric Rice, DC, CCSP, CACCP & Lucas Emmerich, DC. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ Volume 2021.