Is It an Ear Infection or Just a Drainage Problem?
Imagine you are up every night into the early hours of the morning for weeks on end with your child who is not able to sleep because they are screaming that their ear hurts, they can barely breathe because they are congested, and coughing non-stop. You have tried multiple rounds of antibiotics, but the ear infection, the congestion, and the cough always seem to find a way to come back. As parents ourselves, we have been there. It is hard. What if I told you that you are not powerless to help your child through these hard times? You can take back control of your child’s health and you can take part in helping them heal faster.
What can I do at home to help my child with an ear infection?
Your child’s body is designed to heal. Often, what looks like an infection problem is actually a drainage problem. The Eustachian tube is supposed to act as a natural drain, allowing fluid to flow from behind the ear down to the back of the throat. However, when lymph nodes get clogged and that tube becomes blocked, fluid gets trapped. This stuck fluid creates pressure, pain, and inflammation, mimicking an infection even when it’s simply a "plumbing" issue.
First and foremost, we would recommend making an appointment here at Maximized Chiropractic so we can gently restore their nervous system communication and allow their head to drain naturally. If your child’s nervous system isn’t working perfectly they will have decreased immune system function. While we have the adjustment part covered here at the clinic, you can further help your child at home by helping to manually move the trapped fluid drain down the lymphatic system. Here is a simple, effective lymphatic massage you can do at home.
How do I perform the lymphatic drainage massage?
Grab a natural lymphatic cream or gentle lotion to reduce friction. We follow a specific order to "open the doors" of the lymphatic system first—clearing the exit points so the fluid has somewhere to go.
Open the Drain: Start by massaging in small, gentle circles just above the collarbone. This opens the main drainage ducts.
Clear the Neck: Using long, gentle strokes, massage down the length of the neck, moving from the base of the ear down to the base of the neck.
Under the Chin: Massage in small circles beneath the chin.
Around the Ear: Apply light pressure in a pumping action on the areas located just above and below the ear.
Reverse the Flow: Now, repeat the process in reverse order (Chin -> Neck -> Collarbone) to drain the fluid.
By starting at the bottom (the collarbone), you clear the clog at the drain. Once those "doors" are open, you can effectively push the fluid down the lymphatic system and out of the ear.
Please do not wait another sleepless night, or try one more round of antibiotics even though the previous rounds didn’t work. We don’t just try to treat the symptoms; we find the underlying cause of your child’s sickness and help you get answers as to why this is happening. Call us today to schedule an appointment and discover how chiropractic care for your child and your whole family can help you thrive, rather than just survive.