An ear infection (acute otitis media) is most often a bacterial or viral infection that affects the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections.

Due to the overuse of antibiotics for this condition, however, the rate of antibiotic-resistant infections has increased in recent years. As a result, recommendations released recently by the American Academy of Pediatrics discourage the use of antibiotic medications for most ear infections in children.

It has often been suggested that, in addition to the musculoskeletal disorders most often associated with chiropractic treatment, spinal manipulative therapy can also have positive effects on disorders involving visceral organs, such as otitis media. The general medical explanation has been that spinal adjustments directly affect the positioning and function of the Eustachian tube, blockage of which has been shown to be a major cause of recurring ear infections. Cervical spinal manipulation also positively affects drainage of the lymphatic system, helping to shorten the duration of ear infections.