Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Ear Pain and Acupuncture is about the natural treatments available for Ear Pain through Acupuncture.  Pain in the ear can happen with various diseases of the ears, suppurative inflammation or otitis media. In fact, almost all children get an ear infection before they are 4 years old. And it is the second most common diagnosis in medicine since adults get it also.  

 

Causes of Ear Pain:

 

What is Serous Otitis Media?

Serous Otitis Media is effusion or a collection of non-infected fluid in the middle ear space.  Typically, you will have a feeling of fullness for several weeks. And you will have possible hearing loss or pain.  It is usually associated with a past history of upper respiratory infection.  In addition, it can be from an episode of acute otitis, or barotrauma (injury caused by a change in air pressure).

The cause of serous otitis media is a persistently closed eustachian tube.  This allows negative pressure to develop in the middle ear.  This then causes discharge of fluid into the middle ear space. It is common in children because of a more horizontal canal. However, it can happen in adults. The culprit can be infection, allergy, or barotrauma. 

What is Otitis Media?

In the United States, acute otitis media (infection of middle ear) counts for as much as 30 million patient visits to the primary care doctor annually.  And it may cost as much as $5 billion.  

It is an infection of the space behind your ear drum in your middle ear. With acute otitis media there is a fever.  There is deep ear pain, a pressure sensation, and decreased hearing. 

Acute otitis media often occurs after serous otitis media (effusion in the middle ear).  Typically, the eustachian tube (tube that links the nasopharynx/upper throat to the middle ear) is involved. In addition, viral infections and other causes of eustachian tube inflammation can cause blockage. So middle ear fluid resulting from negative pressure provides a culture medium for bacteria. In other words, it is an adequate liquid environment for bacterial growth.

 

What is External Ear Infection/ Otitis Externa?

Otitis Externa or swimmer’s ear can absolutely happen from swimming. It affects the outer ear.  Especially, it happens during warm, humid weather.  The cause of otitis externa is due to an infection (bacterial or fungi) of the ear or ear canal.  Is is caused by exposure to infected water.  Additionally, it is caused by scratching or overaggressive use of cotton applicators. Keeping your ear dry is especially important for prevention.

Often, you will have ear pain, itching, and discharge.  Also, your ear canal may have erythema and edema (redness and swelling). 

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Ear Pain and Acupuncture- How it Works

Firstly, Acupuncture may be helpful for patients with ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions.  For instance, conditions are allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, and meniere’s disease. 

Secondly, some studies indicate Acupuncture has immune-modulating effects.  This can strengthen the body’s defense mechanisms against infections and allergens. By enhancing immune function, acupuncture may help prevent recurrent ear, nose, and throat issues.

Thirdly, Acupuncture involves the insertion of sterile needles into acupoints on the body.  Acupoints are carefully selected based on the patient’s symptoms and diagnosis. Specific acupoints are used for the underlying imbalances contributing to the patient’s symptoms. For example, acupoints near the ears may alleviate tinnitus or reduce ear pressure associated with sinus congestion.

Fourthly, Inflammation is a common factor in many ear- nose- throat conditions. Acupuncture has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.  Subsequently, acupuncture helps to reduce swelling.

Fifthly, Acupuncture triggers the release of neurotransmitters and endorphins.  Next, this helps reduce pain and inflammation. Acupuncture works by stimulating nerves in the affected areas.  And nerve stimulation promotes circulation.  The goal is to encourage the body’s natural healing response.

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Ear Pain and Acupuncture: Research

First, in one study, two cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear were followed. It was diagnosed by an ear, nose, and throat specialist. The first case was a 22-year-old male college student. He had moderately severe hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear for 5 days.

Second, the other case was a 48-year-old male pilot.  He had severe hearing loss, tinnitus, and fullness in the ear for 7 days. In both cases, their hearing loss became worse after not responding to conventional medical treatment.

Third, both patients were treated with acupuncture. The outcome was, fullness in the ear disappeared during the first treatment in both cases. The study concluded acupuncture is worth a try.  Specifically, it is worth a try when patients do not heal from conventional medical intervention.

 

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Ear Pain and Acupuncture

 

Indeed, Acupuncture is beneficial for patients looking for a form of complementary or integrative treatment for ear pain from various causes. Meiri Chiropractic offers acupuncture for ear pain and many other ailments. Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience.  Call today for your acupuncture treatment for ear pain at 561-253-8984.

 

 References:

https://karger.com/fok/article-abstract/21/4/246/356724/Acupuncture-in-Treating-Sudden-Sensorineural?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Case Reports| August 15 2014 Acupuncture in Treating Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Report of 2 Cases PubMed: 25231566

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32090591/

Evaluation of Acupuncture’s Efficacy Within Otolaryngology

 

https://www.oto.theclinics.com/article/S0030-6665(22)00075-5/fulltext

Acupuncture and the Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Patient

 

 

 

Ninety percent to 95% of school-age children have “normal” eyesight.  The majority of the children with eyesight problems have refractory errors (needs glasses). In the adult and senior group, eye and vision problems are more common. Some of these conditions are cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye disease and macular degeneration. Read on to learn more about these conditions and how acupuncture is a complementary natural treatment for eye diseases.

 

Eye Diseases and Causes Acupuncture Can Help

Of course, Eye pain may mean you have a disease in the eye. However, it can also reflect a reaction to a systemic infection, metabolic abnormalities, or vascular/neurologic problem.  Similarly, your eye pain may be a side effect to medications (e.g. diuretics). Certain autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis can also have eye symptoms.  Allergic Conjunctivitis (itchy eyes from allergies) can cause eye discomfort. Also, postsurgical (e.g. cataract) eye dryness and pain are common. Indeed, Acupuncture has a beneficial effect when helping treat many diseases and painful eye conditions. Therefore, acupuncture is thought to be useful as a complementary and integrative therapy for eye conditions.

 

Acupuncture for Dry Eye Disease

For instance, dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular (eye) condition. You will have symptoms such as stinging, burning and blurred vision.  Typically, autoimmune, drug-induced, and mechanical factors can lead to this. And research shows acupuncture enhances tear production, reduces ocular inflammation, and regulates nervous system function.  Therefore, acupuncture offers a natural approach to DED management. Potentially, acupuncture may reduce reliance on medications, thereby decreasing the risk of side effects and drug interactions. Additionally, it has the potential to improve patients’ quality of life.  Acupuncture helps with pain, enhances ocular health, and even promotes overall well-being.

 

How Does Acupuncture Help Eye Diseases?

Firstly, Acupuncture has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems. The acupuncture treatment stimulates the imbalanced pathways along the meridians to bring balance back.  Mainly, the goal is to activate the body’s natural healing abilities.

Secondly, Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”(Qi, pronounced “chee”), flows through the body in these channels called meridians.  And the stimulation of acupuncture points in the meridians is most effective through needle insertion.

Thirdly, today, Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to your brain and nervous system. Ultimately, Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system.  This triggers nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs (e.g. eyes).

Fourthly, Acupuncture consists of the insertion of one or several very thin metal needles into the skin and underlying tissues.  Because the sterile needles are so slender (hair thin) application is painless or at most, the equivalent of the most slightest prick. Most importantly, the needles are not placed in the immediate eye area at our office.

 

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Eye Diseases: Research

In one study, it stated, “Acupuncture shows potential benefits in treating degenerative eye diseases.” This was especially in improving clinical response rates. A total of 3362 records were investigated, with 21 studies meeting parameters for the study. They concluded, “Acupuncture shows improvements in visual acuity, ocular blood flow, and intraocular pressure (IOP)”. The degenerative ocular diseases included—glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), optic atrophy, and retinitis pigmentosa (RP).  All of the diseases cause vision loss.  And acupuncture was able to help in the healing of these eye diseases via vascular and neuroprotective processes.

In another study, acupuncture’s benefit for dry eyes following cataract surgery was evaluated.  The scientists concluded that, based on the results, “acupuncture has the potential to become one option for complementary treatment in DED following cataract surgery.”

 

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Eye Diseases

Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience.  Call 561-253-8984 today!  Ask to make an appointment or find out more about: West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Eye Diseases.

 

References:

1. A Review of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Clinical Implications

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12379998/

      2 . Is acupuncture a viable therapeutic strategy for degenerative eye diseases? a systematic review and meta-analysis

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229925001104

      3. Week in review: Acupuncture for dry eye disease, 3D retinal tissue printing, metformin and AMD

By Stephanie Leveene, ELS Cataract/Anterior Segment, Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Cornea/External Disease, Pediatric Ophth/Strabismus, Retina/Vitreous

https://www.aao.org/education/headline/week-in-review-acupuncture-dry-eye-disease-3d-reti

      4. Thomas Souza, (2018) Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Chiropractor

 

This post is about West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Abdominal Muscle and Fascial Pain.  Symptoms of abdominal muscle and fascial injury include being painfully flexed over (bent forward).  And you can’t seem to straighten up due to the injury. Additionally, pain on bending to the opposite side of the injury is common. Read on to learn more about West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Abdominal Muscle and Fascial Pain.

 

Causes of Abdominal Muscle and Fascial Injury

 

Firstly, abdominal muscle and fascial injuries are common in tennis or football players. Secondly, a tennis player hitting an overhead stroke with the ball slightly behind them and reaching back may whip the body forward.  This may contract the rectus abdominus muscle into injury.  Thirdly, football players due to repetitive movements, like twisting and turning may get this injury as well. Fourthly, anyone can incur this injury through the following:

–Overuse/Repetitive movements involving the abdominal muscles and fascia

-Sudden/Fast movements, twisting, or jumping

-Muscle fatigue/Strenuous activity

 

Abdominal Muscle and Fascia Anatomy

Almost all the muscles that originate or insert into the pelvis may be strained including the rectus abdominis, external oblique, latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus and medius, tensor fasciae latae, sartorius, quadratus lumborum, iliocostalis lumborum and transversus abdominis muscle. The various soft tissue structures that may get injured include:

 

• the muscles, which allow you to move.
• the tendons, which connect your muscles to the bone.
• the ligaments which are bands of tough elastic tissue around your joints. They connect bone to bone, give your joints support, and limit their movement.
• the fascia – stretchy, thin, white fibrous tissue. All your muscles are enveloped in fascia.

 

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Hip Pointer

Strain and contusion (bruise) of the muscles attached to the iliac crest (top part of ilium/hip bone) are referred to as a hip pointer injury.  This may lead to abdominal muscle spasm and pain. There may be swelling and ecchymosis (discoloration of the skin resulting from bleeding underneath).  Hip pointer causes include traumatic contusion of the iliac crest and contact sports.  Pain is immediate and acute. And you may flex toward the side of your injury.  Next, swelling may present over the hip area with pain in both the hip and abdominal muscles.

 

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Chronic Abdominal Fascial Strain

You may have groin pain above the inguinal ligament (ligament located in the groin area) due to a fascial strain.  And this injury is usually seen in runners. Moreover, it may end up as a chronic problem. 

 

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: What is a Sprain or Strain?

 A sprain is a sudden or violent twisting injury of a joint with stretching or tearing of ligaments.  And a strain occurs when a muscle is overstretched or torn. This usually occurs as a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper use. Furthermore, damage to your attached tendons can also occur with a strain.

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Treatment for Abdominal Muscle and Fascial Pain- Research

First, one study looked at Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) which is a leading cause of Chronic abdominal wall pain (CAWP). ACNES is a frequent and commonly overlooked cause of chronic abdominal wall pain. It occurs when small intercostal sensory nerves are compressed.  This happens in the muscular layers and fibrous rings in the rectus abdominis muscle. Typically, patients report localized, persistent, or recurrent stabbing pain, burning sensations, or abdominal tenderness. Moreover, fibrous inflammation, adhesions, or pressure changes can lead to nerve entrapment.

Second, the study stated the common problem of misdiagnosis of this syndrome. Therefore, the acute pain would become a complex chronic state.

Third, a case study noted in this study was a woman who had chronic abdominal pain with constipation for several years. Management included long-term laxatives, analgesics, and psychological counseling. After acupuncture treatment, this patient reported significant pain relief. Furthermore, weekly acupuncture treatments over 12 weeks nearly eliminated the abdominal pain. Sleep and constipation improved though occasional laxatives were still required. Finally, after 4 additional treatments, she was pain-free. 

 

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Treatment for Abdominal Muscle and Fascial Pain- More Research

First, the next research study involves a case with dyspnea. Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath or the subjective feeling of difficult, labored, or uncomfortable breathing. It can involve cardiovascular and respiratory disease as the cause.  Moreover, the causation can be multifactorial. Therefore, treatment has to target neurological, hematologic (blood related), psychologic and musculoskeletal disease.

Second, in this study, the researchers describe an (unknown cause) idiopathic dyspnea case.  The patient was unresponsive to medical drug interventions.  Subsequently, the study stated the dyspnea completely resolved with acupuncture of abdominal trigger points. Trigger points are hyperirritable spots.  Also, they are a palpable nodule in the taut bands of the skeletal muscles’ fascia.  Additionally, the closest “points” related to trigger points in acupuncture are called ashi points.

Third, scar tissue where the rectus abdominus attaches and the abdominal fascia blends into the pectoralis can lead to difficult breathing movements . Upon palpation, significant trigger points were found in the rectus abdominus. The trigger points were released utilizing acupuncture needling.  And immediate improvement of breathing was the outcome.

Fourth, the study noted the possibility of myofascial trigger points (MTP) in the differential diagnosis for dyspnea. Indeed, Acupuncture is a noninvasive and cost effective treatment for dyspnea due to MTP.

 

 West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Treatment for Abdominal Muscle and Fascial Pain

Acupuncture has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems.  Acupuncture effects what the ancient chinese practitioners called Meridians (energy channels) in your body under the skin. Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”, flows through the body in these channels called meridians.

Today, Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to your brain and nervous system. Ultimately, Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system.  This triggers nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs.

Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience.  Call 561-253-8984 today!  Ask to make an appointment or find out more about: West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Treatment for Abdominal Muscle and Fascial Pain.

 

References:

1. Rethinking chronic abdominal wall pain: A new approach to integrating Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine

 lYu Ning Susan Hu , Fuhui Dong 

Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences

Volume 12, Issue 4, October 2025, Pages 464-469

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095754825000870

 

     2. Myofascial Pain and Treatment Acupuncture to abdominal trigger points as treatment for idiopathic dyspnea: A case study

Brian H. Kang , Chi-Tsai Tang

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1360859221000309