Chiropractic management of a 5-year-old boy with urinary and bowel incontinence

Abstract 

Objective

The purpose of this article is to describe chiropractic management of a 5-year-old boy with urinary and bowel incontinence.

Clinical Features

A 5-year-old boy presented with the primary symptoms of a complete lack of bowel and bladder control with prior surgical correction for lumbar meningocele, spinal lipoma, and tethered spinal cord. Examination revealed spinal and pelvic dysfunction.

Intervention and Outcome

Chiropractic treatment methods included using the Activator adjusting instrument and shortwave diathermy to the lumbar spine and sacrum. A total of 5 treatments were initially provided over a period of 4 weeks. After the initial treatment period, he was able to maintain satisfactory control of his bladder and bowel, day and night, for a period of approximately 6 months. A second course of treatments was initiated approximately 6 months later because of a recurrence of bladder and bowel incontinence. Four additional treatments were provided over a period of 4 weeks. This second course of treatment reestablished satisfactory control of bladder and bowel function.

Conclusion

For this patient, chiropractic care was successful in establishing satisfactory bladder and bowel control.

Key indexing terms: Spina dysraphism, Urinary incontinence, Fecal incontinence, Meningocele, Manipulation, Chiropractic