Bedwetting
Bedwetting can be such a challenge for families. It’s the disrupted sleep, the extra washing, the stress around sleepovers and embarrassment. It is important to know that it is not something that can be controlled by ‘trying harder’. It’s rarely about laziness, defiance, or a “problem” with the bladder. More often, it’s about how the nervous system is communicating during sleep.
Bladder control relies on clear two-way signalling. The bladder needs to send a message that it’s full, and the brain needs to receive that message clearly enough to wake the body. When this communication loop isn’t fully established yet, accidents can happen.
For many children, this occurs during very deep sleep. Their nervous system switches off so thoroughly at night that the signal from the bladder simply doesn’t register strongly enough to wake them. It’s not that the bladder isn’t working - it’s that the message doesn’t get through in time.
The nervous system also responds to how safe a child feels in their world. Changes at home, school, or fighting with siblings for example, can subtly affect a child’s sense of security, even if everything seems “fine” on the surface.
When the nervous system is under stress or perceives uncertainty, it may affect their sleep cycles. Bedwetting can sometimes appear during periods where a child is adjusting, growing, or navigating new territory in their life.
You can’t force things to get better. It requires clear signalling and a calm, organised system.
In our practice, we assess nervous system function using INSiGHT scanning technology. They give us insight into how the nervous system is functioning overall, including the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Chiropractic care does not treat bedwetting. What it supports is nervous system organisation and communication, which are foundational for bladder awareness and sleep regulation to develop over time. Care is gentle, individualised, and appropriate for children.
References:
Reed, W. R., Beavers, S., Reddy, S. K., & Kern, G. (1994). Chiropractic management of primary nocturnal enuresis. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 17(9), 596-600.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7884329/
Instebø, E., & Lystad, R. P. (2016). Chiropractic care of an 8-year-old girl with nonorganic, primary nocturnal enuresis: A case report. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 15(1), 47-52. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4812021/
Luscombe, S., Alcantara, J., Holmes, S., & Holt, K. (2014). Resolution of nocturnal enuresis in a 10-year-old child following chiropractic care to reduce vertebral subluxation: A case report. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic, 3, 55-59.
