Bedwetting & Bowen Therapy

August 1, 2021 Madeline McBride

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.

Have You Heard of Spinal Galant Reflex?

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 in the journal Bowen Hands* 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

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.

Other 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.

* Charlotte Meerman, Treating Bedwetting with the Bowen Technique – Part I, Bowen Hands, The Journal of the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia, March 2014.

Madeline McBride, M.A.Sc., is a Certified Bowenwork Practitioner who addresses bladder issues in adults as well as in children. She teaches Hormonal Release the Bowen Way to certified Bowen Therapy practitioners in Canada and the U.S. This workshop takes Bowen Therapy to the next level, teaching nerve stimulation procedures to address bedwetting, frequent nocturnal urination, enlarged prostate, and much more. www.McBridePainClinic.com