Why Summer Swimmers Get Ear Infections + How Chiropractic Can Help
Swimming is one of the best parts of summer, but for some kids, all that fun in the water leads to a frustrating cycle of ear infections. If your child seems to catch an ear infection after every pool day—or ends up in a recurring round of antibiotics—you might be wondering what’s really going on.
The root of the issue often isn’t just water exposure—it’s drainage. And drainage is controlled by the nervous system. Let’s break down why these infections happen so frequently, and how Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care can help your child get back to a fun, pain-free summer.
What Is Swimmer’s Ear and Why Does It Happen?
Swimmer’s ear (also called otitis externa) is an outer ear infection often caused by moisture getting trapped in the ear canal. It creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and inflammation.
Other kids may suffer from middle ear infections (otitis media), which occur behind the eardrum and are more common in younger children. These infections are often due to poor drainage of the Eustachian tube, not just swimming itself.
When fluid doesn’t drain properly from the ear, it builds up, causing pressure, inflammation, pain, and eventually infection. And when this becomes a pattern, especially during swim season, it’s a sign there’s more going on under the surface.
The Neurological Connection
Drainage of the ear depends heavily on how well the Eustachian tube functions—and that function is controlled by muscles like the tensor veli palatini, which are in turn regulated by cranial nerves rooted in the upper neck and brainstem.
If there’s misalignment (subluxation) in the upper cervical spine, it can put stress on those nerves, limiting the tone and function of the muscles responsible for opening the Eustachian tube. This leads to poor drainage, fluid buildup, and repeated infections.
So while swimming might trigger symptoms, the real problem is often a dysregulated nervous system that can’t keep up with the demands of drainage and immune response.
How Chiropractic Helps
Chiropractic care doesn’t “treat” ear infections directly—but it helps the body function the way it’s supposed to.
At Innate Family Chiropractic, we use INSiGHT neurological scans to locate areas of stress and interference in the nervous system. Through gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments, we help:
Improve nerve communication to the muscles that drain the ears
Restore function and alignment in the upper cervical spine
Enhance drainage of the Eustachian tube
Support a more coordinated immune response
As the nervous system becomes more regulated, the body is better able to prevent fluid buildup, reduce inflammation naturally, and recover from infection without relying solely on medications.
The Immune System Boost
Spinal adjustments also help regulate the autonomic nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic “rest and repair” branch. When this system is working well, your child’s immune system becomes more efficient and responsive.
This means fewer infections, less need for antibiotics, and greater resilience to seasonal challenges like allergies or swimming-related inflammation.
Why Some Kids Struggle More Than Others
If your child is constantly battling ear infections while others seem fine, it may be due to subtle imbalances that aren’t obvious on the surface.
Nervous system stress from birth (such as c-section or a difficult delivery), early life ear infections, allergies, and even posture can contribute to poor drainage patterns. These aren’t issues your child will outgrow if the underlying cause isn’t addressed.
A Summer Without Setbacks
We see it all the time—once kids start getting adjusted, the constant cycle of pain, antibiotics, and missed fun starts to break. Their ears drain better. Their immune systems respond faster. And they get to enjoy summer the way it’s meant to be—splashing, swimming, and smiling.
Conclusion:
If your child gets frequent ear infections—especially during the summer months—it’s time to look beyond surface-level treatments. Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care helps restore the body’s ability to drain, heal, and defend itself.
Don’t let another summer go by stuck in the same cycle. Schedule a neurological scan at Innate Family Chiropractic and find out if nervous system stress is behind your child’s ear trouble.