Ear infections (otitis media) are the most common cause
of pediatric visits, and subsequent antibiotic use during
the first two years of a child's life. In the U.S., the cost
of the medical and surgical treatment of otitis has been
estimated to be between three and four billion dollars annually.
Otitis media is a complication of the common cold, sinusitis,
or a sore throat, developing once normal resistance to infection
has been lost. Just as mental or emotional stress impairs
the immune function, physical stress on the central nervous
system lowers our resistance to disease.
Use of antibiotic therapy for treatment of otitis media
has become quite controversial. Research shows that antibiotic
treatment of otitis media is no more effective than a placebo.
It also can increase the risk of reoccurrence (Cantekin,
1994).
It has been shown that the type of antibiotic therapy used
does not influence recovery from otitis media, or the length
of time for which it was given. Those who received no antibiotics
at all had improved rates of recovery (Froom et al., 1990).
It has been found that 93 percent of all episodes of otitis
media treated improved with chiropractic care. Seventy-five
percent of the cases improved in 10 days or less, and 43
percent with only one or two adjustment (Froehle, 1996).
Ear infections (otitis media) are the most common cause
of pediatric visits, and subsequent antibiotic use during
the first two years of a child's life. In the U.S., the cost
of the medical and surgical treatment of otitis has been
estimated to be between three and four billion dollars annually.
Otitis media is a complication of the common cold, sinusitis,
or a sore throat, developing once normal resistance to infection
has been lost. Just as mental or emotional stress impairs
the immune function, physical stress on the central nervous
system lowers our resistance to disease.
Use of antibiotic therapy for treatment of otitis media
has become quite controversial. Research shows that antibiotic
treatment of otitis media is no more effective than a placebo.
It also can increase the risk of reoccurrence (Cantekin,
1994).
It has been shown that the type of antibiotic therapy used
does not influence recovery from otitis media, or the length
of time for which it was given. Those who received no antibiotics
at all had improved rates of recovery (Froom et al., 1990).
It has been found that 93 percent of all episodes of otitis
media treated improved with chiropractic care. Seventy-five
percent of the cases improved in 10 days or less, and 43
percent with only one or two adjustment (Froehle, 1996).