Taking Control of Your Child’s Health: Ear Infections, Colic & Constipation
#BeavertonHealth&Happiness
As a practicing chiropractor for over 30 years, I have seen the struggles of many families as they deal with sickness in their children. As a parent of two grown children, I have experienced various trials myself that help me better serve the families in my practice.
If you have children, or plan to have children, this article is for you!
There are many health issues that children face. We are going to address three common conditions, ear infections, colic, and constipation.
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons a parent may bring their child to the doctor. Some studies suggest that as many as 5 out of 6 children will have at least one ear infection before the age of three. Interestingly, the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages the immediate use of antibiotics and should only be used in the event of a bacterial infection. By using other natural treatments, children may overcome their ear infections and avoid the side-effects associated with antibiotics. Improvement of ear infections with chiropractic adjustments was noted in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics.
Having a child that suffers with colic creates stress on the entire household! Inconsolable crying for hours each day can put the whole family on edge. One of the biggest issues as a parent is not knowing how to help your struggling child. Add to that the fact that the exact cause of colic remains unknown and we broach the edge of utter hopelessness. There are some studies that indicate that colic can be a digestive issue, or stress on the nervous system. A randomized control study conducted by the Mayo Clinic noted that spinal manipulation is beneficial in reducing symptoms associated with colic.
The last condition of concern for today is that of constipation. A simple way to consider this would be a comparison to a train station. If three trains come into a station every day, but only one train leaves every day – or worse every week – how ‘backed up’ will the station be? Now consider a young child eating 3 to 6 times a day, but only having a bowel movement once a day, or week… You get the idea. Increasing high-fiber foods and water and decreasing sweets and carbs are helpful in deceasing stress on the digestive system. The Mayo Clinic noted that chiropractic care was helpful in resolving chronic constipation.
The bottom line is that there is hope for children suffering with ear infection, colic, and constipation.
If you would like to learn more about raising healthy kids, join me on Tuesday March 15th for our next workshop titled “Raising Health Kids: What Every Parent Needs To Know.” More information can be found on our website: www.BeavertonFamilyChiropractic.com.
Dr. Dan Miller has been serving the Beaverton area since 1992. He has long held the belief that good health begins before birth. As a certified member of the ICPA, he has worked with thousands of parents and children over the years. For more information, visit his website at: www.BeavertonFamilyChiropractic.com
