AJ Community

An article published in “Proceedings,” a respected journal of the Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics of the International Chiropractics Association, reported the case study of an 8-year-old female patient suffering from recurring headaches, chronic ear and sinus infections. The child had been through both repeated rounds of antibiotic treatments and sinus surgery. Even the extreme procedure of two tympanectomy surgeries to one of the child’s eardrums failed to alleviate her condition.

click image to enlarge

Dr. Joseph McAulliffe of Proactive Family Chiropractic

Abington journal/nathan urie

Select images available for purchase in the
Times Leader Photo Store

“Children are often plagued with sinus and ear conditions,” said Dr. Joseph McAulliffe, D.C., who is based in Clarks Summit. “This study illustrates that when medical treatment fails to bring about the desired results, chiropractic care may be an effective alternative. It is a non-invasive approach.”

In the case of this 8-year-old child, the parents had taken the girl to several medical practitioners, but symptoms persisted. The child’s regular pediatrician was about to recommend another tympanectomy and a continued regimen of antibiotics. Before following that recommendation, the parents took their daughter to a chiropractor.

The examiner found the existence of a subluxation in the child’s upper cervical area and using sEMG scanning technology, evidence of muscle hyper tonicity, of tightness, in both the cervical and thoracic areas.

“A subluxation is a misalignment of the spine that disturbs normal nervous system function,” Dr. McAulliffe said. “Many chiropractors, including myself, have technology that allows them to conduct Surface Electromyography (sEMG) tests to assist in locating where such conditions exist.”

The patient underwent chiropractic care, including spinal adjustments. After one month of such care, child and parents noted an absence of headaches and sinus and ear pain had also decreased markedly. As a result, the planned third ear surgery was cancelled. The patients sEMG scans showed improvement, but chiropractic care was continued. After four months, the patient reported that headaches had ceased and that ear and sinus infections were absent. Her EMG scans and x-rays were at, or near, normal.

“This is just one study,” Dr. McAulliffe said, “and more studies are needed before absolute conclusions can be drawn.”

Dr. McAulliffe’s chiropractic practice features the Insight Subluxation Station. This technology is certified by the Space Foundation, which was co-founded by NASA, and is used by 8,000 chiropractors worldwide to measure nervous system health and performance.