Bedwetting
Though bedwetting is fairly common among younger children, occurrences after the age of five can raise concerns.
About Bedwetting
Bedwetting, also called nocturnal enuresis, is defined as persistent, involuntary urination while sleeping without any evidence of abnormality in the urinary system. A widely accepted view is that the child has failed to learn to awaken to the bladder pressure and volume before the bladder automatically empties.
The Nervous System
Keep in mind it is your nervous system that relays the information from the bladder to the brain. Although nocturnal enuresis is common during the first few years after toilet training, most children eventually outgrow bed-wetting. It generally becomes a problem when the child is 5 or older and has bladder control during the day but urinates in his/her bed at night.
Chiropractic & Bedwetting
For many years, parents have been telling chiropractors that soon after their child’s spine was adjusted their bed-wetting stopped. Chiropractors specifically remove interference to the nervous system by reducing irritation from spinal misalignments called subluxations. Interestingly, part of the nerve supply to the bladder stems from nerves traveling through the sacrum. As an adult, the sacrum fuses into one bone, but as a child it consists of 5 movable spinal segments, all which can subluxate or misalign such as from a fall on the bottom. This can result in nerve irritation and miscommunication between the bladder and brain.
Sources & References
- San Francisco Chronicles, March 5, 1992.
- Bachman TR, Lantz, CA, Management of a pediatric asthma and enuresis with probable traumatic etiology. Proceedings of the National Conference on Pediatrics and Chiropractic (ICA) 1991, pp.14-22.
- Reed, RR, et al. Chiropractic management of primary nocturnal enuresis. JMPT, 1994, 17(9), 596-600.
Say Goodbye to Bedwetting
Book an appointment with Dr. Prather today and let Prather Chiropractic help you find relief for conditions like bedwetting.