The right solution: bedwetting and chiropractic

In fact, the results of a study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics revealed that a quarter of the 171 participating children treated by a chiropractor saw their bedwetting decrease by 50%. After trying a multitude of solutions, Amy*, the mother of a 9-year-old boy who wets the bed almost every night, decided to take her son to a chiropractor. “We’ve only had a few nights without bedwetting in his life,” she says. “We tried different things, including biofeedback with a urologist, which helped a little. One night when I was out with my friends, someone suggested we see a chiropractor. After my son’s third chiropractic visit, we had a night without bedwetting.” Like Amy, many parents are opting for an alternative, non-invasive, and drug-free approach to managing bedwetting.

How does it work?

According to Dr. ShaRhae A. Matousek of Matousek Chiropractic in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, chiropractic promotes better function of the nerves that control the organs of the urinary system. Dr. Matousek says, "Since your nerves affect every cell in your body, they influence organs like the bladder. When a chiropractor restores normal movement to the spine, the nerves can function properly. Removing stress from the nerves allows the organs to function at their best."

Should your child see a chiropractor?

Frustrated after trying various solutions, Amy opted for alternative therapy. This comes as no surprise to specialists in pediatric and family chiropractic. While a chiropractor should only be consulted as a last resort for bedwetting, as Amy did, it also provides a second opinion beyond that of the family doctor or pediatrician. Karen*, from Michigan, felt her chiropractor incorporated a more personal understanding of her son's problem into his practice. "Our 11-year-old son still wets his pads, usually four or five nights out of seven. Nothing seems to work," she says. "Our doctor doesn't seem concerned at all, but our chiropractor, who has tried some adjustments to address the problem, seems very concerned. We feel caught in the middle." Amy says, "My son went to the chiropractor two to three times a week for about two and a half months." After the third visit, we had no further incidents, nor for a few nights here and there afterward. We were told that one of the nerves in his bladder was blocked and that a correction would help. I believe that was the case.

What to expect?

The number of visits to the chiropractor varies depending on the degree of spinal correction needed, Amy says. For my son, the treatment lasted five minutes, two to three times a week. The problem wasn't completely resolved, but I believe it improved his bedwetting. However, after seeing the chiropractor for two and a half months, Amy decided to discontinue the treatments because her son was still having accidents. Of course, we were hoping the chiropractor would fix things permanently, she says, still firmly believing that the treatments reduced the frequency of the accidents.

Although bedwetting can be stressful for both children and parents, Amy says treatments like pediatric chiropractic offer hope. “I just want others to know about this option to help their children,” she says. “My son was usually soaked in the morning. He’s still wet most of the time, but it’s much better.”

While bedwetting is perfectly normal during childhood, we have chosen to change the names of individuals in our articles to protect their privacy. Remember that, according to the National Kidney Foundation, more than five to seven million children over the age of five wet the bed in the United States.