New Research on Bedwetting, Constipation & Chiropractic

Recent research reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic, described a 6-year-old boy suffering from nocturnal enuresis, cold hands, and constipation and a number of other symptoms who improved following chiropractic.  This report includes a review of the literature supporting the role of chiropractic in children suffering from these childhood disorders and calls for more research in this area.

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“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 and constipation” 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 affecting bladder and bowel  function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic helps improve nerve supply 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. 

According to researchers the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. By removing the structural shifts chiropractic improves nerve supply and function. 

The 6-year-old boy reported on in the study had enuresis, cold hands, and constipation.  He also had headaches, ADHD, asthma, allergies, and earaches.  He was wetting the bed every night, multiple times a night. His pediatrician prescribed eight medications for his symptoms.  

The chiropractor examined him and found structural shifts in his neck and upper back.  Abnormal muscle tension was noted in the neck, midback, and sacrum.  X-rays and other testing confirmed these findings.  These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. 

Following chiropractic care, he experienced complete resolution of the enuresis, cold hands, and constipation.  His other symptoms dramatically improved and his medication was discontinued.  

The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.

Contact Information: 

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