New Research on Bedwetting & Chiropractic

Recent research reporting on improvement in a 17 year old boy reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in managing children suffering from bedwetting even into the adolescent years. The research, reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic, includes a review of the literature supporting the role of chiropractic in children suffering from bedwetting and calls for more research in this area.

CLICK HERE to review the research

“Numerous case studies and some clinical studies are revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the various problems children suffer from like bedwetting” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. “These types of structural shifts in the spine can obstruct the nerves involved in bladder function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic helps improve nerve supply, range of motion and function.” 

In the case of bedwetting, known medically as enuresis, all sorts of strategies are used to try and stop the child from wetting the bed, however uncovering the cause of the bed wetting which may be structural spinal shifts causing nerve obstruction may be a better strategy. 

This patient reported on in this study was a 17-year-old male who suffered from chronic bedwetting since early childhood and additional complaints of low back and upper back pain. Previous medical care, including medication,  pull-ups, an alarm kit and acupuncture had no effect. Doctors told his parents he would "grow out of it" but once he reached puberty, there was no change in his bedwetting and his medical doctors had nothing else they could offer the patient.  

The chiropractor examined him and found postural abnormalities and anterior head syndrome. X-rays revealed a loss of the normal neck curve and structural spinal shifts in his neck mid and low back. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. 

Following chiropractic care the boy's bed wetting resolved, his back pain went away and he stated he was able to breathe better. 

The researchers reviewed other studies in chiropractic which demonstrated improvements in children suffering from bedwetting and called for more research on chiropractic, subluxation and these childhood issues.  

Contact Information: 

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic
http://www.chiropracticpediatricresearch.com
support@vertebralsubluxationresearch.com