Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) is a frustrating situation for parent and child. According to Charlotte Meerman, a Bowenwork® practitioner in Australia, bedwetting is a complex problem that can stem from developmental, physical or emotional issues. In addition, about 25% of children with Asperger’s Syndrome and ADD/ADHD wet at night. Let’s look at bedwetting causes and solutions to try and change the bedwetting pattern. You will find below Bedwetting Solutions Using Bowen Therapy.
Developmental Causes of Bedwetting
Developmental causes of bedwetting may include delayed integration of neonatal reflexes that have served their purpose prior to and during birth and are no long necessary to the growing child. Meerman states in an article (see note 1) that the Spinal Galant reflex is normally integrated by six to twelve months. However, a retained (unintegrated) Spinal Galant reflex is found in a high percentage of bedwetters over five years old. These children often do not like pressure in their lumbar (lower back) regions from belts, elastic waistbands, back rubs or even chairs. Hyperactivity, poor concentration, poor listening skills and other issues often attributed to ADD/ADHD can also be a symptom of a retained Spinal Galant reflex.
Test Your Child for Spinal Galant Reflex
Parents can test for a retained Spinal Galant reflex at home.
- Ask the child to go down on all fours (horseback ride position).
- Lightly draw your fingers down one side of the spine from the midpoint of the back to the base of the spine.
- If the child moves his or her back away from the stroke, or arches away from the pressure, the reflex is likely present.
Bowen Therapy Integrates Spinal Galant Reflex For Bedwetting
If a retained Spinal Galant reflex is the cause of the bedwetting, the Bowen Therapy Bedwetting Procedure will assist in the integration. A parent is present during the session. The child remains fully clothed. After four sessions one week apart, if there is no change to the bedwetting pattern, an underlying medical or emotional issue may need to be addressed by the appropriate professional. If there is improvement, Bowen sessions continue until there are seven consecutive dry nights.
Physical and Emotional Causes of Bedwetting
Physical causes of bedwetting can include diabetes, bladder infections, hormone imbalances, sleep disorders and other conditions correctable by medical means. A thorough investigation by a Pediatrician is important to rule out physical causes.
Emotional causes of bedwetting can include anxiety and stressors caused by life events (death of a loved one, divorce, family conflict, moving, bullying, etc.) and traumatic experiences. Bowen Therapy is unique among other bodywork modalities in that it addresses the autonomic nervous system, moving the body from “fight or flight” stressed mode, to “relax and repair” mode. Bowen Therapy sessions will calm the child and thus facilitate therapy by a child psychologist or other qualified counsellor.
Moms, if you suspect a developmental reason such as retained neonatal reflexes may be the cause of your child’s bedwetting, the solution would be to try Bowen Therapy.
Learn more about Bowen Therapy at www.Bowtech.com .
1. Treating Bedwetting with the Bowen Technique – Part I, Charlotte Meerman, author. Published in Bowen Hands, The Journal of the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia, March 2014.
Madeline became a certified Bowenwork Practitioner in 2013, joining a small but growing number of practitioners in Ottawa who offer this gentle, very powerful complementary healing modality that originated in Australia.
I have never heard of this before, but it makes so much sense. I am going to pass this along to a friend of mine who has been having troubles with her child.
WOW, I have never heard of this test. My sister was bedwetting and we never knew why
I know many families struggle with bed wetting. I am so happy we never had that problem. I can imagine it is stressful for all
Wow! I had no idea that this could be a possible cause. I just learned something new. One of my son’s friends has been bedwetting for years and he won’t go to sleepovers because of it. I feel so bed for children who suffer from this and I think it’s so important for parents to know about any therapies that might be helpful! Great post!
I have never heard of Bowen Therapy before and it is something that we might be able to use. It is very stressful for a family, and more so for the child, if they are older and bedwet. We have struggled for years to find a solution. Maybe this is it!
If any are interested in meeting me and other local Bowen Therapy practitioners, and experiencing a demo, we’ll be at the Cosmic Pathways Healing Fair on Sunday, June 22 at the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue.
I’ll be at the booth from 1 p.m. to closing. I’d love to meet you in person. 🙂
thanks this article was very interesting! My daughter is 4 and she bedwets occasionally. Some great tips here tho, Im def gonna try the test for the Spinal Galant Reflex.
Interesting. I haven’t heard of Bowen Therapy before.
I had not heard of this before. It is good information to keep on hand as I know a number of families dealing with this issue.
I am going to sound like a sceptic, I suppose, but I was not confident in understanding very much after reading this article. Did I miss where the definition of Spinal Galant Reflex and its purpose? Doubting Debbie again, but I do not know a single young child that would not react to a finger being lighting traced down their spine (after all, I am still very tickling!).
How do other countries that practice infant pottying (elimination communication) deal with bedwetting? Does it exist in as high of numbers as North America where the practice is not as mainstream? Just some interesting questions I am curious about.
Hi Brenda,
There are many potential causes of bed wetting, developmental delays being only one possibility. The Spinal Galant Reflex test is one of several tests on the Retained Neonatal Reflexes web site. http://www.retainedneonatalreflexes.com.au/test-at-hom/
The purpose of the tests is to see if a developmental delay may be a possible primary cause of the night time bed wetting. As you know, no two children talk, walk, and have bladder control at exactly the same age, but most get there at their own pace without help. If a developmental delay is the issue, Bowen Therapy can give little nudge physiologically to help a child develop bladder control. It’s like the child is stuck in an old (neonatal/pre-birth) pattern, and Bowen gives a little boost to move him or her ahead developmentally.
I have never heard of this test.I will recommend this to my friend who is having a problem with her son
Thanks for sharing this post! This confition is a real eye-opener. I’ll be checking my little ones to see if they have this condition.
Here’s a testimonial:
“Bowen has made all the difference for our 12 year old son. After just 4 Bowen sessions, he went from wetting the bed 2 or 3 times/week to once every 2 weeks and it continues to improve. Thanks so much!” – Chris P.
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