Can a bladder problem be a back problem?

The benefits of chiropractic are well known when it comes to the management of low back pain. However, looking beyond the localized low back benefits of spinal adjustments, the positive effects on bladder function are less well known. The nerves to the bladder are located in the lower back. The last five vertebrae of the spine are called the lumbar spine, and they house the nerve roots to the bladder.

Chiropractors have noticed for many years that the lower vertebrae are often out of alignment in the patient who complains of symptoms of frequent bladder problems. This misalignment of the lumbar vertebrae and sacrum can cause irritation or inhibition of the nerves, and some of those nerves innervate the bladder.

When you need to urinate and there isn't a bathroom available, you use the bladder sphincter muscles to hold the urine. The sphincter muscles are controlled by voluntary type nerves. When the bladder expands because of the amount of urine stored in it, the traction on the bladder wall elicits a reflex of fullness. This reflex is an involuntary nervous system controlled function. In a state of bladder dysfunction, you may experience a false fullness in the bladder, meaning that the involuntary or reflex response is triggering an urge to urinate even though the bladder is not actually full.

When the bladder dysfunction is incontinence, there is the inability to control the urine, meaning the voluntary nerve and sphincter muscles are not working properly. Kegel exercises are usually recommended to strengthen the sphincter muscles. These exercises can also be practiced preventively.

Chiropractic adjustments to the lumbar spine for voluntary bladder function, and to the sacrum (the triangular shaped bone at the base of the spine), for the involuntary bladder function can help to balance overall bladder health.

Suffice it to say, a trial of chiropractic adjustments is definitely worth the effort in the treatment of bladder dysfunction, given its low risk, low cost approach.

For more information, contact Dr. Wendy at haydenhealth@gmail.com.