Earache is the most common purpose for office visits to pediatricians. By the age of three years, more than 70 percent of children will have had at least one incident of earache, and about a third will have had three or more incidents. It may be surprising, however, that earache is also the most widespread reason for children under the age of five years to be taken to the chiropractor’s office.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Earache and Ear Infections

A pediatrician who thinks that a child with an earache has a middle ear infection will generally prescribe antibiotics as a standard course of treatment. New analysis, however, has ascertained that such practices are often misguided. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial pathogens, and because the child’s middle ear infection may be caused by a virus, antibiotics are ineffectual. This may be the reason for a child’s chronic ear infections.

One of the many assessments that a Honolulu chiropractor can make is whether the earache or ear infection is produced by inflamation of the small nerves in the spine, called free nerve endings.

When these nerve endings are inflamed, an aberrant tension is generated in the small muscles of the neck. Pressure produced on the lymphatic drainage ducts as a result of muscle tension can stop adequate drainage from inside the ear. This affliction keeps the body from naturally rectifying the problem. In addition, balance can also be affected.

Diagnosis by a chiropractor of such a problem is made by the discovery of increased tension in the neck and paraspinal muscles. Usually more tension is felt on the side of earache. In addition, the chiropractor will check to see which spinal vertebrae are either marginally out of alignment or not moving within their normal range. This problem may have been the consequence of any one of the variety of bangs, jolts and falls that most children encounter in the early years of their life. Many times, a short regimen of spinal adjustments and manipulation of the neck muscles will assist in restoring normal lymph drainage. If your child is struggling with an earache or an ear infection, call your Honolulu chiropractor as soon as possible.

Advanced Research and Guidelines

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ear infection, the most prevalent childhood illness after the common cold, accounts for nearly 30 million doctor visits every year. In addition, at least 6 million courses of antibiotics are unnecessarily prescribed for the condition.Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines for treating pediatric ear inflammation, and definitively recommended a period of “watchful waiting” since, in many cases, infections clear up on their own, without medication.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) endorses the AAP on the guidelines and emphasizes that chiropractic care is a “good first option” for treating ear infection conservatively. “Doctors of chiropractic have been treating children for decades with great success - helping them to avoid painful ear infections, antibiotic overuse and resistance, and ear tube surgery,” said ACA President Donald Krippendorf, DC. “Particularly when dealing with young children, drugs and surgery should be an absolute last resort.”

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Today’s moms and dads are more disturbed than ever about the adverse effects pharmaceuticals have on their children. Parents are more often asking, when handed a prescription for a child’s reoccurring problem, “Is this really all I can do for my child? Isn’t there a safer alternative?”

Many children’s prescription and non-prescription drugs often not only mask a child’s symptoms, but can cause unhealthy side effects. Today, parents are seeking out health care options for their children that encourage and maintain their child’s natural ability to be healthy.

Chiropractic care is that option because it helps a child’s nervous system in functioning at its best. The immune system is directed by the nervous system. When it is functioning optimally, children stay healthier.  As far as a child’s health is concerned, “the best offense is a good defense.” Everyday, children are exposed to all sorts of airborn, food-born, and contact bacteria. So many bacteria, in fact, that it would be inconceivable to immunize them against them all. Your Camarillo Chiropractor well-informed and has years of expertise when it comes to colds, sore throats, ear infections, fevers, colic, asthma, tonsillitis, allergies, bed-wetting, infections, pains, falls, stomach-aches, and the hundred and one little (and big) things children go through as they are growing up.

The goal of a chiropractor is to help keep your child healthy and strong so that the complaints that seem to be an unavoidable part of childhood, either will not affect your child as intensely or will not affect them at all. Chiropractic care assists in removing interferences to the natural healing power that runs through your child’s body. When that power is released, the healthy results that take place quite frequently are profound.

Furthermore, when a child’s spine is in alignment, he or she is far less vulnerable to sports and play injuries. In addition, children who are brought in regularly for chiropractic care don’t appear to experience as many “growing pains” as other children.

Each day at your Camarillo Chiropractor we are happy to see that more and more parents are bringing their children to our clinic to give attention to the questions and concerns they have regarding their children’s health. Every child is deserve the right to express their entire capacity. Chiropractic adjustments for children at your Camarillo Chiropractor is safe, gentle and effective.

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Good balance is absolutely necessary for an individual to be able to manage and maintain body position while in motion or remaining still. Good balance helps a person to walk without staggering, arise from a sitting position without tottering, and to climb stairs without tripping.

Nearly 9 percent of adults, age 65 and older, report having difficulties with balance. Good balance is vital in assisting an older person to stay independent, and implement daily chores and activities. Many older men and women, however, suffer from dizziness, “wooziness,” and difficulties with balance.

The feeling by many that they, themselves, or the things around them are spinning is commonly referred to as “vertigo.” About 40 percent of people nationwide will have an incidence of dizziness that is severe enough to go seek out a health professional. And, among older adults, falls are the prevailing cause of severe injury and deaths.

Balance and Inner Ear Conditions

There are many types of balance disorders. Three familiar types are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most widespread. Its symptoms encompass a brief, intense sensation of vertigo with a change in head position, when rolling over to the left or right in bed or when getting out of bed, or when looking up for something on a high shelf. This condition is more disposed in persons 60 and older, although it can also take place in younger people.

The causes for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are multifarious. It may be created by an inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging. Many times times a simple Epleys procedure can correct the problem, but it can be linked to other disease processes. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.

Labyrinthitis is an infection or iirritation of the inner ear that cause dizziness and loss of balance. It affects adults of any age and the cause is uncertain.

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that produces vertigo, hearing loss irregular, tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears), and a “full feeling” in the ear.

Though older individuals are more likely to experience balance disorders, age is not the only reason these problems happen. Depending on the reason for the balance disorder, care will vary. Many times, there’s a simple solution to balance disorders, such as simple exercises for vestibular rehab. A chiropractor is well-educated in diagnosing and treating many of balance dysfunctions. Consult a health care professional, such as your Santa Barbara Chiropractor, if you have experienced, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other problems with balance.

Not every balance disorders are created by complications in the inner ear. A few may include other regions of the body such as the brain or heart. Head injury, stroke, certain medicines, circulation problems, upper respiratory infections and other viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use,  high or low blood pressure, and heart disease are all influences that, along with aging and ear infection, may produce balance disorders.

Balance disorders created by high blood pressure can usually be managed by less sodium intake,maintaining a healthy weight, and exercise. To assist in making the symptoms of dizziness less acute, frequently eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and staying away from caffeine and alcohol, will help.

Balance disorders are dangerous. It is the most prevalent cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is crucial to have a suspected balance disorder diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

If you can answer “yes” to any of the questions listed below, you should discuss the symptom(s) with your chiropractor:

• Do you have the feeling of being “unsteady?”

• Does the room seem to spin around you?

• Is there ever a time when you feel as if you are moving when you know you are standing still?

• Do you lose your balance and/or fall?

• Do you feel as if you are falling?

• Does your vision ever become “blurred?”

• Do you ever feel disoriented, or lose a sense of time, place or identify?

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call your chiropractor today.

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Along with spinal complaints, knee pain and disability is one of the most widespread dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system. Deficient mechanics of the knee, as well as reduced foot mechanics as the result of foot pain as a rule produce painful knee problems. Additional causes normally include overuse of the knee joint, problems as the result of arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from sports and falls.

Non-trauma knee problems: Insufficient mechanics of the knee joint and the associated stress on the soft tissues of the knee are, by far, the most common cause of non-traumatic pain. The patella or knee-cap is generally the area affected because many times the patella does not move sufficiently on the femur during bending of the knee producing abnormal stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This specific condition is often called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). This condition is due to imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that join to and move the patella. Imbalances in the muscles associated with knee movement often start from lower back dysfunction, expressly in the sacroiliac joint. Imbalances in muscle groups that join to the knee can also lead to pain and dysfunction. For example, pain on the medial or inside of the knee occurs when the muscles on the insides of the thigh are stressed and tight.   Insufficient foot mechanics that create gait abnormalities such as pronation, are an additional cause of mechanical knee pain.

The correlative pain from overuse is most generally experienced during activity, in particular stair climbing, running, jumping, and following rising after prolonged sitting. A number of women are likely to be predisposed to painful overuse conditions for anatomical reasons, however such conditions are often due to wearing high heels on a regular basis.

The main treatment for mechanical or overuse injuries to the knee is to re-establish proper balance of the muscles, restore proper movement to the patella and other joints of the knee, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot.  In specific cases, a brace is adopted to aid with the positioning of the patella or to stabilize the joint. Chiropractors, such as your San Jose chiropractor, are fully trained to provide the appropriate diagnosis and management of these ailments.

Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries frequently occur during physical exertion that involves running and jumping, especially. Sprains occur when tissue is torn by virtue of the knee being pulled or bent beyond the facility of the ligaments that hold the joint in place. The muscles that move the knee can also be torn during injury producing a strain or pull of the muscle. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can vary from a minor injury that necessitates little treatment to a severe injury necessitating surgery. Furthermore the two special knee “cartilages” located between the tibia and femur (called the menisci), which allow for smooth motion and cushioning, may also be torn during traumatic injury. This serious injury often necessitates surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.

Traumatic knee injuries can cause serious pain and swelling and necessitate urgent examination and care. Almost always a qualified chiropractor, such as your San Jose Chiropractor, can treat these types of injuries, however there are some injuries that may necessitate the craft of an orthopedic surgeon. Nevertheless, it is crucial to stabilize the injured joint as soon as possible and to put ice on the injured area, if possible, until the injury can be assessed.

Conditions such as poor mechanics and problems due to overuse, as well as traumatic injuries, need to be fixed at an early stage. Otherwise, the tissues of the knee joint, particularly the cartilage, will eventually erode. In that event the bones will rub on one another, and changes such as bone spurs can occur. This painful problem, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, is frequently progressive with age. Common treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). However, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that are highly effectual such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely beneficial in reducing the pain. Your San Jose chiropractor is will gladly discuss anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, people can frequently aid themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.

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In the past sports injuries were mostly limited to professional athletes, kids participating in school sports programs, and the occasional male “weekend warrior. Today, many people of both sexes and all ages are regularly participating in sports and fitness activities. There are women playing traditionally men’s sports such as soccer, basketball, and kick-boxing. Many people of both sexes play golf, tennis, basketball, and/or participate in aerobic activities like running. No matter what the activity, however, there is always the risk of injury.

The majority of injuries can be divided into two primary types: injury from trauma such as a slip, fall or collision, and injury as the result of overuse or repetitive stress.

Traumatic Injuries

These injuries cause the debilitating problems often associated with trauma. A high percentage of traumatic injuries are to the ligaments, the tissue that connects bone to bone, and to body muscles, though fractures and dislocations do happen at times, especially with contact sports. A strain is any harm to either a muscle or its tendon, and a sprain is an injury to ligaments.  The most characteristic areas for these sorts of injuries are the ankles, knees, and shoulders, nevertheless other areas can be affected including the low back and neck. Because the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves can be affected, injury to the neck and low back can be quite serious.

Traumatic injuries can range from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem requiring surgery. It is based upon the amount of tearing of the tissues, the area of the body, and the age of the person. Most sprains and strains are related to some degree of swelling and sometimes with internal bleeding, especially with injury to the ankles and knees. Strains and sprains need competent attention, especially during the initial stages of an injury, to guarantee proper healing and avoid future disability. Attention from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly expedient.

If you’ve sustained an injury, the best course of action is to see a professional. Until aid is accessible, remember the acronym, PRICE:
P    Protect injury from additional damage
R    Rest the injury
I     Ice injury to lessen swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C    Compress injury with a specialized support or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E    Elevate the injury, particularly when the damage is to ankles and knees

As previously mentioned, proper assessment and management are crucial to a thorough recovery. A chiropractor can determine the degree of your injury and begin needed recovery treatment. When knowledgeable care is given during the various stages of healing, nearly all persons who have suffered sprain and strain injuries will recover. If not treated correctly, some sprains and strains can result in long-lasting problems such as joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. Experienced management of your sports injury by a chiropractor with an abundance of experience in sports injury management will insure that your injury recovers properly. Call your Santa Barbara Chiropractor if you have sustained a traumatic injury.

Overuse or Repetitive Strain Injuries

Sports such as golf, tennis, and bowling, as well as any other activity that necessitates the same movements over and over are widespread causes of repetitive stress injuries. Even running, particularly on a treadmill, can produce such conditions.

Repetitious activity can often cause a very slight strain to tissues, especially tendons and muscles. But, it is the accumulative effects of the repetition that creates the more serious problem.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most widespread kinds of overuse injuries. After a while the muscle or other affected tissue develops changes that no longer allow it to function normally, resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. There are two categories of factors that predispose a person to these types of problems:  1) Intrinsic, i.e., found within a person’s own body, and 2) Extrinsic, i.e., external factors that can frequently be changed or controlled by the person.

Some of the most widespread intrinsic factors for injury

Age is the mostgeneral intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that person to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. Some people are born with joint or muscle problems. And, lastly, previous injuries are a factor as they generally prohibit the joints or muscles from functioning normally.

Extrinsic factors for injury

There are plenty of extrinsic injury factors.  For instance, sports equipment can faulty–a wrong grip size of tennis racket or worn-out running shoes are clear examples, even a playing surface can be a factor, such as a too-hard surface for soccer or an uneven treadmill. Inept technique, like an awkward golf grip or swing, can produce stress and strain injuries. A further factor is poor conditioning. Quite a few individuals are injured because they aren’t in shape. Elevated frequency or lengthly duration of an activity, without building up slowly, can cause the conditions for injury. Lack of flexibility can produce injury if a person is too stiff to do an activity properly. Warming up is essential prior to sports activities and not warming up, that is, not stretching or preparing for an activity is a common cause of injury.  And, finally, but perhaps surprising to some, stress is a factor. Being tired or stressed can create tense, inflexible muscles that are too tight for most activities.

It is important to remember that most factors are extrinsic and, hence, they are factors that can be individually managed. Before beginning a new sport, or as a way to ward off injury in a current sport, it’s wise to get an assessment of your current body condition. If you’ve been injured, it is extremely to seek out a qualified professional, like a chiropractor, to diagnose the nature of the injury and prepare a plan of therapy. If left untreated, sports injuries can considerably affect a person’s life and limit a favorite activity. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is often necessary to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is your best source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.

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