Anyone used osteopathy to treat glue ear?

[kanchan]

My 3 year old has glue ear and we've been told she needs grommets. My 5 year old has grommets too and they have worked really well, the only downside is that he gets ear infections because he goes swimming, which he loves (even though we use ear putty and earbandit).
Has anyone tried osteopathy for glue ear problems?We're thinking of this as an alternative. Thanks

[Huggle]

Bump

[burlybum]

Hi, my daughter had alot of ear infections in her first year and we where warned that grommets maybe be the only solution later on. But I've taken her to have cranial and normal osteopathy and she's now two and not had an infection for a year. So i'd recommend it. But trying to get a good osteopath is the key ask friend and family for recommendation. Hope that helps.

[Freckle]

Not had to do it for any of mine, although they've been to the osteopath for other things, but our local children's clinic is filled with those wanting treatment for glue ear. It's very successful I understand.

[notthebubblyseaweed]

My son had dreadful glue ear which manifested behaviourally too, headbanging etc.

He had cranial sacral therapy and I now recommend it to everyone as it was so successful.

[kanchan]

Thanks for your comments.

I'm going to make an appointment tomorrow....it's worth a try. She has an audiology appointment in late November, so I wonder whether osteopathy could make a difference to her hearing in such a short time.
How often did you have to take your children in for appointments, and how long before there was an improvement? I've already been recommmended a good practioner, so fingers crossed!Thanks!

[Reallytired]

If you are against glue ear then an alternative is digital hearing aids. Grommets were a complete disaster for my son. (They work well for 99% of kids though)

I have heard mixed things on the national deaf children's society website about cranial osteopathy. I have never tried it. Its difficult to tell how effective it is as glue ear often clears up on its own.

My son didn't get on with it, but some people swear by otovent. Its a balloon kit that you blow up with your nose.

www.auravita.com/products/aura/kehe10041.asp

The negative pressure is supposed to make your ears drain. However my son found it impossible to use.

[Reallytired]

sorry I meant if you are against grommets. Everyone is against glue ear. Its truely hideous.

[notthebubblyseaweed]

Improvement was almost immediate with us but involved a lot of congestion moving, out of nose etc. His speech had been pretty impaired and we saw a huge difference in that spontaneously too. He was also still in nappies at night and this disappeared very quickly as he became more aware of the rest of his body not just his ears.

It was about 9 years ago and he was just 3 so can't quite remember how often, think every 2 weeks for about 6 weeks then every 6 months for a couple of years then once a year til about 3 years ago.

I cannot emphasise how this changed his life and ours for the better. I think he must have had quite a severe case but is living proof that is works!

[kanchan]

Thanks again!

I haven't heard of otovent but I'll look into it....... it sounds good but I don't know how hard it'll be for a 3 year-old to try. Glue ear is pretty hideous and unfortunately it's affecting my daughter's speech and confidence with her peers so I have to do something about it. At least I know that the grommets will work.....but Im definitely trying an osteopath.I'll keep you all posted!

[Koumak]

i would be interested to know how you got on. my ds needs grommets as well in few months time

[firststeps]

Hi kanchan, haven't used this myself, however DS2 was treated by a chiropractor very successfully following a very traumatic birth and she told me that glue ear can be very successfully treated with a couple of adjustments by an osteopath or chiropractor. Just try and find one that specialises in the treatment of babies or children. HTH

[cocolepew]

Definately give it a go, cranial oestopathy helped my DD enormously.

Good luck

[thisisyesterday]

sorry, i know this is an old thread, but just bumping on the off-chance that kanchan is still around and could tell us how she got on?

i am considering osteopathy for ds2 who has glue ear