Feb 14, 2007 12:34 pm US/Central
Chiropractors Treating Kids To Fight Infections
DALLAS (CBS) ―
Next to the common cold, ear infections are the most commonly diagnosed childhood illness in the United States. More than three out of four children have had at least one ear infection by the time they're three.
For years, parents have depended on an antibiotic to cure the pain. But now doctors are warning about the overuse of antibiotics. In some cases they are advising parents to take a wait-and-see approach to find out if the infection clears on its own.
Now some parents are trying to stop the infections before they start. How?
They are taking their kids to see chiropractors who specialize in children.
Dr. Peter Martone is one of those doctors. "Chiropractic care is simply the art and science of aligning the spine to take pressure off the nerve and ultimately allow the body to heal itself," he explained.
Susan Lekborg says her son Cooper suffered from chronic ear infections and traditional treatments did little to ease his suffering. "We were up all night, he was miserable, cranky," she said, remembering the long, sleepless nights. "He was on antibiotics all winter and it just wasn't helping. It would go away and come back, go away and come back," she said.
Feeling frustrated and helpless she went to a chiropractor. "I'll be honest, I was a little skeptical, nervous about a chiropractor adjusting my baby," she said.
But after only one treatment he started feeling better.
Dr. Maronte says adjusting Cooper's spine helps prevent fluid from building up in his ears. "So what happens with the adjustment, it allows for those ear canals to open up and the ears will drain, preventing any ear infection," he explained.
There are some pediatricians who are skeptical about chiropractic care. Others think it may be worth a try. Pediatrician Linda Nelson said there's a lot about the body doctors just don't understand. "I'm very open to anything that's benign," she said. "And it's certainly isn't going to hurt the child."
Susan Lekborg says it's worked for her children. "This will be their third winter, no antibiotics, no Tylenol, no Motrin. They're clean. I just feel like they're healthier," she said.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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