Why Your Child Keeps Getting Ear Infections—and How To Stop Them Naturally
Ear infections are one of the most common struggles kids face; about 1 in 5 children will experience one. For some families, it’s a constant cycle of antibiotics, sleepless nights, and even surgery.
But what if ear infections weren’t just an “ear problem”? What if they were really about how your child’s body drains and functions as a whole?
Two Types of Ear Infections
External ear infections (“swimmer’s ear”): caused by bacteria or irritation in the outer ear canal. Often related to scratches, chlorine disrupting the ear’s natural biome, or water getting trapped.
Middle ear infections: the most common type in kids. These involve fluid building up behind the eardrum, often leading to pain, pressure, hearing issues, and repeated antibiotics.
It’s the middle ear infections that parents battle most—and where Gonstead chiropractic care can make a big difference.
Why It's A Drainage Problem
The Eustachian tube is a small canal that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. Its job is to open and drain fluid so bacteria and viruses don’t have a chance to grow.
Here’s the problem:
In children, the tube lies more horizontal compared to adults.
This angle makes it much harder for fluid to drain out.
Fluid ends up sitting stagnant, creating the perfect breeding ground for infection.
So kids aren’t just “weaker” or “more prone” to infections. Their anatomy literally stacks the odds against them.
The Role of the Cranial Bones
This is where things get even more interesting.
The Eustachian tube passes right through the temporal bone: a cranial bone on the side of the skull, just around the ear.
If the temporal bone isn’t moving properly, the Eustachian tube can’t open and close efficiently.
This turns a natural drainage system into a blocked pipe.
Birth trauma, repeated falls as a toddler, or tension in the spine and nervous system can all restrict the motion of the temporal bone.
When the temporal bone is balanced and moving the way it should, the tube pumps fluid out naturally, and infections become much rarer.
How the Pelvis Affects the Ear
It may seem surprising, but the pelvis plays a big role in ear infections too.
When toddlers fall over and over as they learn to walk, those small tumbles shift the pelvis and sacrum.
The pelvis is the foundation of the spine. So if it’s off balance, that tension travels all the way up the spinal cord to the cranial bones, including the temporal bone.
That’s why ear infections aren’t just an “ear issue.” They’re often a whole-body alignment issue.
Other Contributing Factors
Breastfeeding strengthens the muscles of the jaw, face, and cranium, supporting Eustachian tube function. Bottle feeding doesn’t provide the same stimulation.
Mouth breathing bypasses the nose’s filtration and makes adenoids and tonsils swell, blocking drainage.
Teething can mimic ear infection symptoms (low fever, irritability) because the nerves for the ears and teeth are closely connected.
If your baby was bottle fed, you’ve noticed they tend to mouth breathe at night, or they’re going through teething, these are all signs that your child could benefit from extra drainage and nervous system support with Gonstead chiropractic care.
Are Antibiotics and Tubes the Only Answer?
The Medical route treats ear infections with antibiotics and eventually ear tubes. But 50–70% of ear infections are viral, meaning antibiotics don’t help. And ear tubes create an artificial drainage system while bypassing the body’s natural immune defense.
The Chiropractic route? Gentle and specific adjustments to the pelvis, upper cervical spine, and cranial bones. These adjustments restore proper movement so the Eustachian tube can drain naturally.
This approach follows the principle of starting with the least invasive solution first. Instead of jumping to surgery, chiropractic care helps the body work the way it was designed to.
Why This Matters Long-Term
We have seen clinically that when ear infections become chronic, those tend to be the same kids that struggle with:
Poor sleep and fatigue
Difficulty focusing in school
Speech delays
ADHD-like symptoms
Developmental setbacks
It’s often not the infection itself, but the way it’s managed, that creates ripple effects for your child’s health. By supporting proper drainage and nervous system function early on, you can change the long-term trajectory for your child’s wellness.
The Bottom Line
Ear infections are rarely just about the ear. They’re about drainage, alignment, and nervous system function. By addressing the pelvis, spine, and cranial bones, chiropractic care restores balance so your child can heal and thrive naturally.
Instead of accepting antibiotics and tubes as the “new normal,” you can choose a safe, holistic path that supports your child’s health from the inside out.
Watch This Testimonial Video: How Chiropractic Helped 9-Year-Old Boy's Ear Infection!
Click here to hear the story of how this practice member's ear infection went away after an adjustment!
Listen to Dr. Vin's Ear Infection Webinar!
Want to learn more? Listen to Dr. Vin’s webinar all about ear infections, where he breaks down more of these same topics:
The anatomy of ear infections: how the cranial bones, pelvis, and nervous system play a role
Why we see more ear infections when kids learn to walk
Why antibiotics don’t address the root cause
And so much more!
