Update: Chiropractic Trial for Bedwetting

At the beginning of December we began a trial of Chiropractic care for a bed wetting (nocturnal enuresis) patient.  We treated almost every night for 2 weeks and then reduced the frequency of treatments to 2-3 per week for 2 weeks.  The Patient had 2 episodes of bed wetting during that time, when prior there had been 5-7 wet nights.  The week between Christmas and New Years Day was crazy and treatment was not rendered.  During that time and until Friday the 2nd of January there were no occurrences.  Then from the 2nd to the 7th the bed was wet every night.  Last night her chiropractor remembered the trial and adjusted listings found in the Lumbar spine.  She woke this morning dry.

It looks like we may need to taper the treatment rather than stopping suddenly, through forgetfulness.  I cannot say difinitively that this was not the natural history or that some other event did not cause this, however, it does appear, at least in this case study, that Lumbar Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy may have been effective in reducing incidence of nocturnal enuresis.

Bed Wetting Update – Success So Far

Prior to getting lumbar and SI adjustments before bed this patient was wetting the bed 6-7 nights a week despite her parents avoiding fluids before bed, and taking her to the bathroom 2-3 times per night.  this meant that they would have to wake up in the night just to take her to the bathroom.  This pattern had continued for a little less than a month of her parents trying to get the child free of night time training pants.

Nothing in the routine changed except adding an adjustment.  After 2 weeks of treatment here are the results.  In these last 2 weeks the child has had any chiropractic listings in the lumbar spine or pelvis adjusted 6 out of 7 nights of each week.  Beginning with that first night the child ceased bed wetting except for one night when the child actually awoke on her own too late. The parents no longer have to get up during the night to take the child to the bathroom.  They take her once before she goes to bed and then once before they go to bed themselves.  She is able to control her bladder through the remainder of the night, and has on occasion woken up herself to go to the bathroom on her own.  Treatment will continue, but reduce in frequency.

I will not be going into a possible mechanism of effect at this time (how the treatment may work).  For understanding of why I am treating from the lumbar spine to the pelvis; Sympathetic nerves to the bladder come from the upper lumbar spine, and parasympathetic nerves come from the Sacral region.

Nocturnal Enuresis or Bed Wetting

I’m always interested in new ideas.  Often times we dismiss a possibility just because on the surface it sounds a little crazy.  I know people who believe that a chiropractic adjustment can be done long distance, like, over the phone.  Some times the idea turns out to be crazy, but sometimes the idea is right.  I often say if wearing the blue hat cures your cancer, then wear that blue hat.  I don’t have time to try every crazy notion that presents its self, but just because I don’t try it doesn’t mean it won’t work.

I recently did a study on vocal performance. At first blush I thought that chiropractic would benefit the person and if the person is healthy they will sing better.  I had no idea that chiropractic manipulation would have a more direct effect on the voice.  The limited testing I did seemed to do just that.  I hope to further this research.  My testing doesn’t always go this well.

Recently I’ve been presented with the opportunity to test another perhaps crazy idea.  The research that I’ve seen is mixed on the benefit of chiropractic to bed wetting (nocturnal enuresis).  I would not ask a patient to pay me to cure them of bed wetting at this time as I don’t know if it’s possible.  I will however treat a patient for other conditions and also monitor any change in bed wetting at the same time as an additional curiosity.  So, that is what I am doing.  I am treating a young patient, and will monitor the status of their bed wetting.  I’ll let you know the results of this case study in a few weeks, good or bad.  In the mean time I hope it does work.

If anyone else has any additional information on this topic, particularly research I’d love to see it.  Please post your info in the comments section so everyone can take a look, or email me with what you have.