Bedwetting is one of the many reasons why parents are bringing their children to the chiropractor. But what can a chiropractor do for this? Continue reading as we discuss the effectiveness and potential cause of bedwetting in children.

Secondary enuresis (secondary bedwetting) is a diagnosis in children who have otherwise established proper bladder control, but who have since lapsed back to wetting the bed.

Periodically, there may be a pathological mechanism responsible for this unusual characteristic, but often no such cause can be identified. Regrettably, bedwetting is often considered an unfortunate problem associated with childhood and no outside treatment is sought. Frequently parents are ready to ride out the problem, hoping their child will grow out of it.

The chiropractic approach to treatment is often to look to the spine and perform spinal adjustments accordingly, usually in the low back (or lumbar spine) and sacral areas.

How does adjusting the spine affect bedwetting?

When reviewing the anatomy and physiology of the bladder you will find that the muscles that empty the bladder – the detrusor and trigone muscles – have nerves supplied via the sacral parasympathetic nerves from S2, S3, and S4. You will also find that the function of the bladder is controlled by the urogenital diaphragm with nervous from the L2 spinal nerve.

Additionally, the sacrum – the large, triangular bone at the base of the spine – forms by the fusing of sacral vertebrae S1–S5. Normal skeletal development will show that the sacrum fuses after puberty into one sacral segment. Because the sacrum is not yet fused in early childhood and remains as five separate segments, these segments may become misaligned just like any other spinal segment. Misalignments of these segments can cause nerve irritation or facilitation. Facilitation of these nerves – especially the ones associated with the bladder, may cause inappropriate function of the bladder and associated bedwetting.

“…it is important to have your child evaluated throughout their developmental stages for possible spinal problems.”

Remember, the sacrum is easily subject to repeated trauma throughout childhood due to bumps, falls and the early attempts to walk. Such falls and repeated trauma may be the major reason for bedwetting in some patients. Therefore, it is important to have your child evaluated throughout their developmental stages for possible spinal problems. These spinal problems may be the underlying cause of their wetting and other childhood symptoms.

Refer to our website:  https://605chiropractic.com  to see what other childhood symptoms may be aided with chiropractic care.