Ear Infections Gone and Ear Tubes Avoided Due to Chiropractic Care

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health Chiropractic published the results of a case study on August 21, 2025, documenting the resolution of continual otitis media and the canceling of tympanostomy tubes surgery in a child under chiropractic care.

Otitis media is commonly known as ear infections. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), "Acute otitis media (AOM) is defined as an infection of the middle ear and is the second most common pediatric diagnosis in the emergency department following upper respiratory infections. Although acute otitis media can occur at any age, it is most commonly seen between the ages of 6 to 24 months."

Surgery to put tubes in the ears is a common medical procedure to deal with recurring otitis media. The NCBI explains that "Tympanostomy tube placement is a standard surgical procedure, particularly in children, to alleviate symptoms associated with middle ear effusion, recurrent acute otitis media, and persistent ear infections."

This case study begins by pointing out how this health problem is common and expensive. "Otitis media in pediatric patients is the leading cause of medical practitioner visits, most common reason children consume antibiotics or undergo surgery. In the U.S., approximately $4 billion yearly is spent on otitis media healthcare costs."

In this case, a 13-month-old boy was brought to the chiropractor by his parents. The child had been suffering with reoccurring ear infections causing multiple trips to medical physicians, specialists and the ER room during severe episodes. The boy had been given antibiotics on numerous occasions with no long-term help. The boy's ENT specialist recommended immediate bilateral tympanostomy. The surgery was scheduled but his parents decided to bring their son to the chiropractor just four days before the surgery was to be performed.

A chiropractic examination was conducted which involved a visual inspection and palpation of the spine both static and in motion. Thermographic heat readings were also performed of the boy's spine. It was noted that the boy was visibly pulling his ears during the examination. The conclusion of the examination was that there were multiple vertebral subluxations present in a number of areas of his spine. Based on the findings, specific and age-appropriate forms of chiropractic adjustments were started with multiple visits per week.

The study reports that the boy responded quickly to the chiropractic adjustments. His mother reported that after her son's first adjustment the boy stopped pulling on his ears. The redness and fluid that was coming out of the boy's ears stopped by his fourth chiropractic adjustment. Due to the immediate positive response, the boy's mother cancelled the tympanostomy surgery.

Two months after starting chiropractic care, the boy was brought to his pediatrician for a 15-month well-baby visit. At that time, he no longer had any of the previous symptoms of ear infections and was given a clean bill of health. Three months later, when the study was written, the boy had not suffered any issues with otitis media. The results of this case are summed up in the study's conclusion. "This case study outlines the resolution of recurrent otitis media and avoidance of tympanostomy surgery in a 13-month-old male patient through subluxation-based chiropractic care. The patient showed immediate improvement and no recurrence of otitis media throughout his care plan."