Ear infections can sneak up and ruin a day – or a night! Why do some children seem to be so prone to these infections?
Dr. Upledger, founder of craniosacral therapy, believed he found a the answer to be within the alignment of the cranial bones. A very easy thing to fix!
EAR INFECTION AND PAIN AND CRANIAL ANATOMY: WHAT’S THE CONNECTION?
Craniosacral therapy focuses on balancing the bones of the cranium and sacrum to allow for ease of movement of the cerebrospinal fluid. When investigating ear infection/pain, the temporal bones become a key object of investigation.
The temporal bones are on the sides of the head where the ears are located. The bones house the ear canals, the ear drums, the middle and inner ear compartments, the hearing mechanisms and the structures involved in maintaining our sense of equilibrium. The eustachian tubes run from the middle compartments of each ear and drain into the back of the throat. If these tubes are blocked, the result is a build up of pressure behind the ear drum. This pressure build up causes a lot of pain, and in extreme cases, may prompt the need for insertion of tubes through the ear drums to relieve this pressure.
Fluid is naturally secreted within the middle ear compartment to cleanse these compartments. This fluid is supposed to drain through the eustachian tubes to the throat, keeping the tubes clean as it passes through. These eustachian tubes pass through the lower parts of the temporal bones en route to their exit in the throat. If the temporal bones are slightly rotated or compressed, this alignment can effectively clog the eustachian tube. As fluid backs up, there is not only pain from the increase in pressure, but a breeding ground for bacteria.
Medication can treat the infection. But until the source of compression is released, the infections just keep coming back.
Craniosacral therapy, which uses very light touch (and very kid friendly!) can gently and non-invasively alleviate the alignment problem of the temporal bones. And as the cranium becomes better balanced, other little problems start to correct themselves as well. It’s very common to come in for treatment for one problem and then notice how your ability to fall asleep, relax, and pay attention (to name just a few) improve as well. With normalized craniosacral functioning, the body is simply better able to take care of itself.
So what sounds better to you? 10 days of an antibiotic or an 1 1/2 hours on the treatment table?
Find balance and let the fluids flow. The body can handle it from there.