Narrative: This case study report discusses 6 cases of bedwetting children who received Chiropractic care and or functional neurology therapy based on the Melillo Method™. These children are aged between 6 and 15. All cases had never had one dry night since birth and one common finding shared across these cases was that they all had the Spinal Galant reflex retained when presented in their initial clinical consultations. The Spinal Galant reflex is present at birth that helps to facilitate trunk movements as the neonate descends through the birth canal. (3) The reflex should be inhibited by higher cortical functions and disappear by 9 months of age. The Spinal Galant reflex is tested by stroking the skin along the side of the spine, if present, that would cause muscle contraction and lateral flexion of the trunk toward the side stimulated. (19)
The common causes of nocturnal enuresis in children include developmental delay, constipation, poor arousal sleep, small bladder capacity, and neural integrity of both micturition centre of brainstem and lumbosacral plexus. Conservative options for early intervention include pelvic floor exercise or bladder training, rewards for dry nights, and moisture alarm devices. For medical treatment, the first line medications for nocturnal enuresis are desmopressin, anticholinergics and tricyclic antidepressants.
The improvements of bedwetting behaviour in these 6 cases with Chiropractic and or Spinal Galant reflex integration provided the practitioners, parents, and children themselves with a novel direction to approach bedwetting. Chiropractic care was aiming to offer optimal neural integrity by removal of vertebral subluxations and nerve interference to promote bladder control. NeuroImpulse Protocol™ is the chiropractic technique employed for 4 of the cases in this case study series.
Melillo Method™ is a functional neurology approach based on brain stimulations that promote neuroplasticity to improve cerebral network and functions. It is commonly offered to children with neurodevelopmental delay. There is a strong emphasis on primitive reflex integrations. (16) There were 2 cases with severe neurodevelopmental conditions exhibiting nocturnal enuresis that received Melillo Method™ in this case study series.
Cases 1 & 2 received Chiropractic adjustments only; Cases 3 & 4 received Melillo Method™ functional neurology therapy involving brain stimulation modalities with an emphasis of primitive reflex integration that included Spinal Galant reflex but no Chiropractic adjustment; Cases 5 & 6 received Chiropractic adjustments and were given Spinal Galant integration home exercise.
Author keywords: Chiropractic; AK; Melillo Method; Spinal Galant reflex; nocturnal enuresis; NeuroImpulse Protocol.
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