Resolution of Otitis Media, Improvement in Hearing & Avoidance of Myringotomy Tubes Following Chiropractic Care in a Child: A Case Report & Selective Review of the Literature
Kimberly O’Connor, DC, CACCP Bio, Grant Schneider, DC Bio, Joel Alcantara, DC Bio
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic ~ Volume 2014 ~ Issue 3 ~ Pages 47-54
Abstract
Objective: To describe a case report entailing chiropractic care of a 9½-year-old girl experiencing chronic ear infections as well as discuss the ear infections in the context of its etiology, chiropractic theory and current literature.
Clinical Features: A 9½-year-old girl presented to a chiropractic clinic with her mother for consultation and possible care for chronic ear infections, neck pain and headaches. According to her mother, the patient was medically diagnosed with chronic otitis media and recently scheduled for tympanostomy tube surgery. Examination of the cervical spine revealed hypolordosis, hypertonicity of paraspinal musculature, lymphadenopathy, decreased ROM, positive orthopedic tests and chiropractic subluxations.
Intervention and Outcomes: The subject was cared for with high-velocity, low amplitude adjustments (i.e., Diversified Technique) particularly at the C1, C4 and L4 vertebral levels at 3 times per week for three weeks. Over the course of care, the patient no longer experienced episodes of headache and neck pain with her otolaryngologist reporting a 95% improvement in previous diagnosed hearing loss. Accordingly, the myringotomy tube procedure was cancelled.
Conclusions: Numerous studies have identified positive outcomes in otitis media with chiropractic care based on the detection and removal of spinal subluxations. This case report provides supporting evidence in this paradigm of care. We encourage further research in this area of pediatric care.
Key words: Subluxation, Diversified, otitis media, tympanostomy, myringotomy, hearing, Eustachian tube, adjustment, spinal manipulative therapy
