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Bedwetting
&
Bowen Therapy
by
Madeline
McBride, M.A.Sc.
Certified
Bowenwork® Practitioner
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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 article1 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.
1.
Ask
the child to go down on all fours (horseback ride position).
2.
Lightly
draw your fingers down one side of
the spine from the midpoint of the back to the base of the spine.
3.
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.
Bowen Therapy for 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.
Initial Bowen Therapy Session is Free
Parents, if you suspect
a developmental reason such as retained neonatal reflexes may be the cause of your
child’s bedwetting, try Bowen Therapy.
For a limited
time, I’m offering the initial 60 minute Bowen Therapy consultation and session
free of charge. Contact the Integral
Health Clinic located in downtown Ottawa at 613-241-0005 to make an appointment,
or book online at www.IntegralHealthClinic.com.
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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.
Photo Credit:
Alyzza by Peter Dahlgreen
This article was
originally published on www.ottawamommyclub.ca on June 18, 2014. All rights reserved.
Bedwetting & Bowen Therapy Photos
Photo Credit Links
Option 1
Title: Depressed Boy
Author: Tjook
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tjook/5111553020/in/photolist-8MG3Cu-5hkZku-vPpZt-kAtMgr-iDfAhe-dr3XdT-dwzhC4-5E8uuC-iQ8LrG-hywoVf-74ZfVT-9uyB4-h5SS14-gftBfN-6tPBMg-csZBLh-c3yc49-jGdjRo-6PtY5T-4mBfAW-8BUg-6ck1Xm-5xooRc-ij8Bst-5FCNc8-e1rSbQ-knj23x-Djukh-iDfAMn-PkWEd-bp
Option 2
Title: Alyzza
Author: Peter Dahlgreen
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/
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