Osteopathic Treatment for Otitis Media

Mills MV, Henley CE, Barnes LL, et al: The use of osteopathic manipulative treatment as adjuvant therapy in children with recurrent acute otitis media. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2003; 157(9):861-866.

This multisite prospective randomized controlled trial monitored 57 children with recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) for the effects of osteopathic manipulative treatments. Current guidelines encourage limiting antibiotics in children with recurrent otitis, but frequently offer no other treatment alternative, and children proceed to surgery (placement of ear tubes).

The children ranged in age from 6 months to 6 years and were divided into intervention or control groups. Pediatricians provided all antibiotics and surgical referrals. Osteopathic physicians provided gentle osteopathic manipulation of myofascial release, balanced membranous tension, balanced ligamentous tension, facilitated positional release, and/or counterstrain treatments.

Children in both groups improved considerably during the 6 months. Intervention children had fewer episodes of AOM, fewer surgical procedures, more surgery-free months, and increased frequency of more normal tympanogram results. This is a small study with many more questions to be answered, but suggests that gentle osteopathic manipulative treatments may provide a benefit and alternative to surgery for recurrent AOM.