Lack of bladder control can cause guilt, shame and an impairment to social skills.
Bedwetting
Bedwetting can be a stressful situation for children and parents alike. Changing bed sheets, plastic mattress covers, social stress, frustration and prolonged diaper wearing are all a common effect. While it is common for children to lack consistency controlling their bladder up until the age of 4 or 5, anything after this could point towards an underlying issue. While Chiropractic care is not a treatment for bedwetting, many children have had great results in our office.
How the bladder works
The bladder (like all other organs of the body) are controlled by the nervous system. Emptying of the bladder specifically is controlled by two tiny muscles, the detrusor and trigone muscles. The nerves that allow those muscles to contract and relax properly are located in the lower portion of the spinal column, more specifically the lumbar and sacrum bones. In the early years of life the sacrum is composed of 5 tiny little bones that will (later on in life) fuse together to make up the sacral bone as an adult. If those little tiny sacral bones become misaligned (due to falling, learning how to walk, ride a bike etc.) they can created irritation on the nerves that exit that part of the spine. This interference can impede on the nervous systems ability to properly control the bladder.
How We Can Help
Chiropractic care focuses on correcting the cause of the problem, as opposed to treating the symptoms associated with bladder control. We access the spine for these often subtle misalignments during our examination. When these misalignments are corrected using gentle and effective chiropractic care, nervous system control and bladder control can be restored to proper function. Below are some published case studies documenting the great results patients have received under Chiropractic care
Published Reports
The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics document many studies showing the positive benefits of chiropractic care.
- A study of 46 children received chiropractic care for a 10-week period. A quarter of those receiving chiropractic care had 50% or more reduction in the wet night frequency, while none among the control group saw a reduction. (JMPT 1994 (Nov-Dec);17 (9): 596-600)
- Children with a history of persistent bed-wetting received eight chiropractic adjustments. Number of wet nights fell from seven per week to four. (JMPT 1991 (Feb);14 (2): 110-115)
- The lumbar spine of an eight-year-old male bed wetter was adjusted once and at a one-month follow-up. There was a complete resolution of enuresis. “This happened in a manner that could not be attributed to time or placebo effect.” (JMPT 1994 (Jun);17 (5): 335-338)
So Now What?
Since chiropractic care isn’t a treatment for bedwetting, a thorough examination is necessary. If the bedwetting is caused by nerve interference from the spine, many children see great results with chiropractic care. Find out!
We approach these cases with sensitivity and compassion. Your son or daughter will appreciate and understand our explanations.
Please contact us if your specific concern hasn’t been addressed here or if you’d like to schedule an appointment.
