Playtimes HK Magazine February 2018 Issue | Page 34

advice
Middle Ear Infection
Dr Damien Mouellic explains how osteopathy can provide
a solution for recurrent middle ear infections in children
R
ecurrent middle ear infection
(otitis media) is one of the
most frequent illnesses of
early childhood, and typically
is seen in children from six months to
six years of age. Countless visits to the
paediatrician, antibiotics and sleepless
nights owe their existence to this culprit.
Until recently, most children with
middle ear infections were given
antibiotics. However, recent studies
have demonstrated that this is
unnecessary for the majority of children,
and current recommendations in the
U.S. and Europe is to delay initiation of
antibiotics.
Research in middle ear infection has
found that it is commonly associated
with Eustachian tube dysfunction (see
diagram A to anatomically place the
Eustachian tube in relation to the ear).
From an osteopathic perspective,
the anatomy of the base of the skull and
of the upper neck affects the function
of the Eustachian tubes. The latter are
important for drainage purposes as they
drain fluid produced in the middle ear as
well as prevent reflux of secretion and
bacteria found in the nasopharynx into
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the middle ear space. External pressure
or obstruction arising from adjacent
tissues to the Eustachian tube play a
significant role in the Eustachian tube
dysfunction, as it impairs drainage from
the middle ear.
ENT specialists often suggest
grommets to open the Eustachian tube
and promote drainage that controls
the recurrent middle ear infection. This
invasive procedure is often the last
resort for desperate parents who nearly
always seek alternative and less drastic
measures.
Could osteopathy be a solution?
The ear, nose and throat share the
same mucosal tissue, which means
that if your nose is congested, mucous
secretion will also occur in the ear
which will also be congested. In normal
conditions, excess mucus is drained
through the Eustachian tubes.
Epidemiological data demonstrate
significant reduction in middle ear
infection after the age of six. In infants,
the Eustachian tube is orientated
more horizontally than it is in adults.
As the bones of the skull grow and
expand over the first six years of life,
compression of the Eustachian tubes
reduces, and the change to a more
vertical positioning increases drainage
of the middle ear.
Empirical studies in the U.S. over the
last few decades have demonstrated
that osteopathic treatment has been
one of most effective therapies for
recurrent middle ear infections.
Gentle osteopathic mobilisation as
well as cranial technique, focused on
the base of the skull and the temporal
bone, significantly improve drainage
of the middle ear by opening the
Eustachian tubes and helping restore
normal function.
Very little is known to the public
about cranial osteopathy. Cranial
osteopaths use subtle techniques that
take extensive study and many years
to master. These indirect techniques
correct the inherent motion of the
cranial bones, which subsequently
offsets the compressions on the
surrounding tissues.
Cranial osteopathy is not to be
confused with craniosacral therapy,
which is one of the modalities of cranial