Ward Off Ear Infections Naturally This Year

Posted by: Dr. Jessica L. Caruso

According to a recent article in the Ladies Home Journal, 35% of ALL visits to the pediatrician in the United States are for reoccurring ear infections. Sometimes these ear infections are due to bacteria and other times they are due to viruses. Well, then why is the same course of treatment [antibiotics] used for both ‘causes’?

Research and statistics are showing an alarming overuse of antibiotics, leading to super -resistant bacteria which in turn leads to future infections and eventually…TUBES. This surgical approach to ‘treat’ reoccurring infections has miniscule long term results since the tubes placed in the child’s ear often come out and usually require the child to be put under general anesthesia in order to perform the surgery.

Ear pain is the number one reason for child visits to chiropractors. Many chiropractors believe that there is a strong link between the birthing process and recurrent ear infection, also known as otitis media. During the birthing process, cervical (neck) vertebrae can become misaligned, disrupting nerve function, which can affect the eustachian tube. This may lead to fluid buildup in the middle ear and cause otitis media. Misalignments left untreated can irritate the nerves and eventually disrupt the body’s ability to function properly. The purpose of a chiropractic adjustment is to help to restore the normal functioning of the nervous system so the body can heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. (www.chiropracticresearch.org)

The article in the Ladies Home Journal states, “Chiropractic care is thought to prevent recurrent infections by correcting misalignments (called subluxations) and allowing normal fluid drainage from the middle ear.” What the article took special note of was that 6 months after the chiropractic care was given to the children in the study, 80 percent had not suffered a recurrence of ear infections.

Eighty (80%) percent sure sounds like a better alternative than putting a child under anesthesia for a surgical procedure that has little long term effects.

To learn more about how chiropractic care can help your child, please visit www.HealingHandsNH.com or call Dr. Jessica L. Caruso at 603-434-3456.

The 3T’s of Subluxation

Posted By: Dr. Jessica L.Caruso

 

Recently I have had a lot of patients coming into our office with complaints of runny nose, sinus pressure, scratchy throat, cough and body aches. Many people associate these symptoms with the cold weather, not the summer months. However, we are susceptible all the time to the germs and bacteria that may cause these types of symptoms. When our immune systems are strong they can ward off these germs.

I’ve asked each of my patients during their visits if they could think of any reason why their immune systems are lowered and not working at their best potential. Most answers I get are related to stress, changes in routine, poor sleep, eating poorly (like at all those BBQs), busy with kids out of school, travel — just plain feeling overextended. I remind patients of the 3T’s of subluxation: Trauma (this includes poor posture), Toxins, and Thoughts. For those of you who do not know: SUBLUXATIONS are misalignments in the spine that cause nerve interference, not allowing the body to function optimally, thus, not allowing the body to achieve optimal health.

Most of the answers I received from my patients could fit into at least one of the 3T’s categories. Since chiropractic adjustments remove subluxations, it makes perfect sense to get adjusted when you feel “run down” or like “you’re fighting something off”. Subluxations interfere with your nervous system’s ability to work at 100%. Your nervous system tells everything else in your body how to perform, including your immune system. So, a healthy nervous system equals a healthy immune system. We all have an innate ability to heal. We just need to provide an environment conducive to healing optimally. This means getting good sleep, watching your posture, eating well, taking your vitamins (I take, as well as highly recommend to my patients, Doctor Greens’ vitamins and supplements because they are 100% organic), good stress management practices such as yoga and meditation, listening to the signs your body is sending you, and GETTING ADJUSTED.

Research performed at New York Medical Institute by Dr. Pero (a medical doctor) showed that people under regular chiropractic care had immune systems 200% stronger than those not under chiropractic care. Pretty amazing research about the power of chiropractic!