Chiropractic has significant evidence and success for treating children with Otitis Media.

Any parent will likely agree that observing a child suffering from an illness and especially pain is almost more painful for the parent themselves. And likewise, as parents we prefer to see our children HEAL from injury, RECOVER from Illness and avoid pain and disease entirely.

So why not look to the most effective means of restoring health?  That would be from promoting health from the inside out, in the ways nature intended, safely, with better outcomes and the least risk.

Let’s take a look at what conventional medicine does and doesn’t do for children’s health – specifically for middle ear infections or ‘Acute Otitis Media’ (AOM). Then referring to solid clinical evidence I will explain the simple treatments that have provided safe, consistent and effective results for thousands of children and babies for decades.

Finally watch some video presentations and see for yourself. There are numerous news media broadcasts that are growing in popularity all across the nation where even the program’s ‘medical experts’ have acknowledged the success and growing trend of chiropractic treatment for AOM.

Conventional approach for children with AOM in the US.

In a well written report by William F. Miser, MD, in the Journal of the American Board of Family Practice, he clearly supports the evidence that the medical profession over diagnoses AOM but that "changing physician behaviors is quite difficult." When questioning his colleagues as to why not at least shorten the course of antibiotics, the reply is, "Well, that's what they do in pediatrics."

As parents and even concerned citizens, you must acknowledge that this is sadly inexcusable.

Following are summary points of his research.

• Acute otitis media (AOM) accounts for more than 20 million office visits a year in the United States, AOM is one of the most common reasons a child sees a family physician.
• By their first birthday, nearly two thirds of children will have at least one episode of AOM, and more than 90% will have one episode by age 2 years.
• A diagnosis of AOM is the most common reason children receive a prescription for antibiotics.
• Nearly $5 billion is spent each year in the United States in managing AOM; this expenditure does not take into account the disruption of child-care arrangements and work schedules.
• Despite the frequency and enormous associated costs of AOM, recent evidence from the medical literature shows that family physicians over diagnose AOM in the United States.
• A busy clinician examining a squirming, uncooperative toddler with an ear canal occluded with cerumen [ear wax] often will err on the side of making a diagnosis of AOM to please anxious parents. Diagnostic uncertainty by primary care physicians is as high as 33% to 42%.
• Recent evidence raises concern over the use of antibiotics and the length of treatment, if prescribed. Considering a growing worldwide development of multidrug-resistant bacteria, the uncertainty of diagnosis, and that up to one third of cases of AOM are caused by a virus [unaffected by antibiotics] are reason to change the approach.  Many European countries have no worse outcomes by simple wait-and-see, while lowering costs and risk.
• In several randomized clinical trials, antibiotics provided only a small benefit. In a meta-analysis of more than 2000 children with AOM, ear pain resolved spontaneously without antibiotics in two thirds by 24 hours and in 80% by day 7.
• Minimizing the use of antibiotics in children with AOM does not increase the risks of perforation of the tympanic membrane, hearing loss, contra-lateral or recurrent AOM, or development of mastoiditis.
• In summary, the immediate prescription of antibiotics offers some benefits, but these benefits are offset by the disadvantages of increased cost, drug resistance, and adverse reactions. Watchful waiting is feasible and acceptable to most parents, with a 76% reduction in the use of antibiotics.

Restoring the natural health of ear tube function

To help describe chiropractic’s success in treating children, let me briefly summarize 2 significant studies.

A recent study published in 2004 in the ‘Journal of vertebral subluxation research’ showed great results from chiropractic treatment of acute otitis media (AOM). The results showed that 95% of children with AOM experienced a return to normal after a short course of chiropractic manipulative therapy.

In one of the most comprehensive and highly referenced studies comparing chiropractic versus allopathic treatment for otitis media (OM), there was a remarkable correlation of more effective results in a significantly shorter time with chiropractic management. This remarkable study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, by Dr. Joan Fallen, DC, investigated 322 children up to 5 yrs old who had prior histories of OM that were treated medically.

Here are the summary points of this research.

• Only 3.8% of all children in the study had no prior cases of OM, but most had multiple prior cases. In fact almost 80% of the children were repeatedly treated, mostly unsuccessfully, with antibiotics for at least 3 to more than 5 recurrent cases of OM.
• The number of repeated courses of antibiotic treatments were in excess of an astounding 8 courses in 20% of the children and almost 50% of the children received 6-8 courses of antibiotics!
• After a short course of 4 to 5 treatments for all groups of children, the number of days to resolve all signs and symptoms by otoscopic examination was 6 days for acute cases, and for chronic cases, 8 days.
• After the chiropractic treatments, the percentage of children who experienced any recurrence over 6 a month period following the initial presentation was only 11% for acute cases and 16% for chronic cases.

The resolution of symptoms and restored health that the children experienced from a short course of chiropractic treatments were drastically better than the prolonged recurrent episodes while under the repeated exposure of apparently ineffective and harmful antibiotics.
These results are a significant finding and highly correlate with the favorable response that the chiropractic profession has claimed for over 100 years in treating OM and other upper respiratory infections.

How does it all work? In simple terms, chiropractic mobilizes the drainage of the Eustachian tubes in children’s ears. With thorough treatment, they can continue to drain without a build-up of fluid and subsequent infection, ultimately building up their own antibodies and recovering more quickly.

To add a little more detail, there are very specific neurologic and muscle components of the mechanism that results in altered or decreased dilation of the Eustachian tube and thus increased pressure of the middle ear without drainage. Factors such as birth trauma, inflammatory conditions surrounding the mastoid air cell system, subluxation of the occipital junction and or craniofascial defects, will directly alter and compromise this muscular mechanism with respect to opening and closing of the Eustachian tube.

The most common and frequent causes of altered or blocked ear tubes relate to the joint subluxations, which incidentally, is often brought on through the physical stresses of normal birth.
The outcome of a compromised Eustachian tube without drainage is pain, inflammation and increased microbial growth. While antibiotics may seem ideal, there is good reason for their predominant failure.

The middle ear chamber is designed to ‘breath’, to have a means of draining or circulating the normal fluids and air within. If the chamber becomes closed off, the application of antibiotics will not directly correct this, which is evident by the fact of the poor results and normal regimen of multiple repeated courses of the drug with repeated recurrence of symptoms.

Simple and safe chiropractic treatments provide the means to restore nerve function and normal muscle tone thereby allowing dilation and drainage of the ear chamber. This straightforward approach provides for the body’s natural return to health, promotes proper immune response and without the use of harmful and mostly ineffective drugs.

It has been apparent that chiropractic continues to capture the attention of the media. Although we don’t have the video, the ‘medical expert’ of the Early Show declared just last month, November 2009 that "chiropractic is providing great results for treatment of children with middle ear infections."


Here are just a few other news broadcasts nationwide that promote similar positive results.

* The techniques demonstrated may differ than mine but the principles and objectives are consistent with our clinic.

Studies Show Benefit of Chiropractic Instead of Drugs for ADHD

Three recent publications refer to the benefit of chiropractic and safer alternatives for helping in the treatment of ADHD in children. They also confirm the disastrous, but well known dangers of medicating our children. The scope of these dangers and better alternatives are actually reaching past just the concerned parents, but finally to the media.


A study published in the June 2009, American Journal of Psychiatry suggests certain stimulant medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may cause sudden, unexplained death, adding to previous reports emphasizing the potential dangers of such medications. Combined with recent research from the International Pediatric Chiropractic Association (ICPA) suggesting the benefits of chiropractic care for ADHD sufferers and a CBS Early Show segment following the study's release that mentions chiropractic and other natural options, drug-free management of this complex condition may be one small step closer to becoming reality.

In a study funded by the FDA and the National Institute of Mental Health, a study by Madelyn Gould, et al., two groups of 564 children and teenagers, 7 – 19 yrs of age, were evaluated for death due to either sudden unexplained death, the study group, or who died in motor vehicle accidents, the control group. The study group had no known history of life-threatening illness or defined cause of death but had a significantly higher number of individuals who had taken methylphenidate, the generic form of brand-name ADHD drugs such as Ritalin, Concerta and Daytrana.

The authors state in their conclusion, “This study reports a significant association or 'signal' between sudden unexplained death and the use of stimulant medication, specifically methylphenidate….”

Furthermore, there has been no significant long term data published on what these drugs may do to our kids when they grow up. These stimulants are very powerful narcotics, not some simple medication. Unknown to most parents, these drugs are a chemical derivative of cocaine. Although the newer chemical modification of Concerta is a timed release version of Ritalin, the kids have found ways to take advantage. Kids prescribed Ritalin have been reported to take their additional dose(s) with them to school, save them up then grind them and snort the powder for the same effect as cocaine.

"Previous evidence related to the side effects of these drugs have kept us wary of their justified use for many years," said Jeanne Ohm, executive director and spokesperson for the ICPA. “We are pleased to finally see these concerns made public so parents are aware of the potential consequences of these drugs and can make informed decisions accordingly."

While the FDA asserts that the benefits of these drugs outweigh the risks, it also says current guidelines recommending physicians evaluating for cardiac risks before prescribing ADHD drugs need to be strengthened. According to the Gould study, there have been case reports of stroke and myocardial infarction in patients taking Ritalin within therapeutic ranges.

A June 16, 2009, Washington Post article, discussing the study paraphrases Benedetto Vitiello of the National Institute of Mental Health, who believes the findings have relevance despite the study limitations: "Gould's study underscores that ADHD drugs are not innocuous. Indiscriminate prescription of the drugs for general behavioral problems and the growing number of healthy teenagers and adults using the drugs to boost mental performance could have deadly consequences."

Yet in new studies and even a CBS Early Show edition of “Healthwatch”, there are promising alternatives for children with ADHD. One such study, "The Chiropractic Care of Patients With Attention Deficit Disorder: A Retrospective Analysis", shows great promise. According to the ICPA, the study, which has been accepted for publication, "shows promising results for children under chiropractic care." Dr. Ohm also references "Adverse Effects Associated With Chiropractic Care for Children," accepted for publication by a "major biomedical journal," which reports only "minimal and minor adverse effects associated with care."

In the June 15 "Healthwatch" segment, chiropractic care is recommended as a potential treatment option for children with ADHD. In a segment titled "ADHD Drug Warning,"  medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton told CBS anchor Julie Chen, "There have been studies that have shown complementary or alternative therapies [such as] chiropractic care or dietary changes can be beneficial in some children who are on ADHD medication  ... either in place of or in conjunction with [medication]." Dr. Ashton also emphasizes the risks associated with ADHD drugs, stating that they can have "potent effects on the body," including elevated heart rate and blood pressure, which she says may account for the connection between stimulant use and sudden death (what she refers to as sudden cardiac death) seen in the study.

The shocking but sad truth about this condition has several concerns:

• The drugs are a seemingly quick and easy solution for parents.
• Teachers are in favor of this solution for the benefit of the classroom.
• Pharmaceutical influence has assured that insurance will reimburse for the costly drugs.
• Several safer alternatives exist starting with dietary changes, which have been validated for decades.
• Dietary changes are not well understood and certainly not readily accepted with today’s media and peer influence among our youth.

The reality and disastrous consequences of ADHD medication:

• 4.5 million children and adolescents in the U.S. have been ‘diagnosed’ with ADHD. Which ultimately means that regardless of the accuracy or reality of such a ‘diagnosis’, there is now a medical reason to medicate.
• 2.5 million of these children are taking dangerous and potentially lethal prescription narcotic drugs to attempt to remedy their condition when safer, more natural alternatives are available.
• There is no end stage or outcome data on the long term results of medicating our children with strong narcotic medications especially during important developmental periods of their lives.

The consequences of pharmaceutical intervention are reaching new depths with the dangerous ADHD drugs for our kids. The more recent tragedies of anti-depressant medications among children as well as adults is another example of the lethal dangers of the 'medicate first, look for better solutions later' – approach. Remember, pharmaceutical drugs do not cure disease. They only relieve symptoms, and with increasingly alarming consequences and fatalities.

Before you succumb to naive understanding or even what some sources call corrupt influence, consider your child’s life and future. Dr. Wilson has been providing nutritional recommendations and alternative therapies for children and adult patients for years. He also treats many children for a variety of conditions. Don’t hesitate to consider a more natural and safer approach for your child’s health!