Glue Ear (Chronic Seromucinous Otitis)

Glue ear is a condition that worries many parents as it can lead to a temporary hearing loss in infants. It is a condition characterized by a build up of fluid in the middle ear which drains poorly.

The condition usually starts with an infection in the throat leading to an obstruction at the point where the nasopharynx meets the auditory canal. For the auditory canal to function efficiently it must be well ventilated. When poorly ventilated as in the case of obstruction caused by the infection, the cilia (the hairs that help drain fluid out of the ear) become paralysed and there is fluid build up. The fluid becomes increasingly thick and sticky – hence the name "glue-ear".

The osteopath must start by observing the infant – the face, the relationship of the mouth, nose and ears. Do they seem squashed together and is there anything in the case-history that may indicate trauma to this area during birth? The osteopath gently palpates the chest, upper ribs and neck as well as getting a comprehensive picture of the health of the tissues throughout the body. Whenever dealing with drainage the osteopath always begins by treating the more distal areas first in order to make a space in which to drain. There is little point in draining the auditory canal if the neck and chest are congested.

Once the osteopath has attended to restrictions in the hips, spine and chest, the osteopath gently approaches the neck observing any restrictions at the cranial base. The osteopath pays particular attention to the function of the temporal bone in which sits the auditory canal. The osteopath checks the relationship of the temporal bone to the frontal bone and the occiput. Gently the osteopath introduces a pumping action bilaterally to the glabella (frontal bone) and the mastoid process (temporal bone). The osteopath can also introduce a gentle springing action to the manubrium under which lies the thymus gland to stimulate the infant's immune system.

Remember that infants respond quicker than adults and one should be aware of over-treating. It is a gentle approach with a light but accurate touch.
"Find it, fix it and leave it alone"