Chiropractic Management of a patient with chronic Otitis Media

Bridget Horan, DC

---

Abstract

Objective: To discuss the case of a patient suffering from multiple episodes of Otitis Media that was not responding to medical intervention that was treated successfully with chiropractic care.

Clinical Features: A four year old male suffered from multiple episodes of acute Otitis Media with effusion bilaterally. Symptoms included right ear pain, fever, fatigue, and irritability. Otoscopic exam revealed redness in canal and on tympanic membrane, cloudy appearance of tympanic membrane, and loss of the light reflex in right ear. Chiropractic evaluation revealed restrictions at occiput and C1, T6, and sacrum. Cranial exam revealed asymmetry of temporal bone alignment with restriction on the right.

Intervention and Outcome: The patient was treated with manual manipulation of the spine 2X/week initially. Frequency was decreased to 1X/week after 4 weeks. Patient was taken to his EENT specialist and was told infection was gone and fluid was resolved.

Conclusion: Chiropractic care should be considered in the treatment of Otitis Media. Further studies should be conducted considering this is one of the number one conditions that the pediatric patient presents with to a chiropractor.

Key indexing terms: Otitis Media, ear infection, chiropractic, manipulation.