Could an injury to my back be causing pressure on my bladder? And if so, will I benefit from a chiropractor?

Question

When I was 12, I was in a cliff diving accident and I injured my back. I am now in my late 20's and have experienced an increase of pressure on my bladder. I have been to a few specialists and not one can tell me why there is pressure. One doctor said it could be Interstitial Cystitis, but was not sure because my bladder looked so healthy! Another doctor did exploratory surgery and also found everything to be healthy. I even had an MRI and guess what...healthy! I told each doctor that I have a degenerated disk (L5) and thought that I should see a chiropractor, because this may be causing my problems (they said, "NO!"). Well regardless of what they said, I finally went to see a chiropractor and after a week of adjustments to my back, my bladder is actually feeling a little better, but off course, there is still a lot of pressure. I was wondering if anyone has had a similar situation, or the same problem and if a chiropractor was the answer to your problem.

Answer 1

If you have a worn disk in your back, then you should NOT have manipulations done - you're much more likely to suffer irreversible damage. If the chiropractor is doing low grade gentle adjustments, then that should be fine.

Any bladder or bowel symptoms caused by something pressing on the nerves supplying them in the back is treated as a medical emergency - it usually means there is a central protrusion or problem in the spinal cord, and is extremely serious.

Your MRI would have ruled that out - assuming it was your back that was scanned.

If the nerve supply to the bladder is intact, it's highly unlikely your bladder symptoms are related to your back problems.

You don't say whether you have children or what your general history is. I suggest you get referred for urodynamics - a series of test to see how the bladder copes as it fills and empties. This should throw some light on the subject. These tests usually need to be ordered by a gynaecologist - so request a referral to one.

Good luck - be careful about what you allow to be done to your back - it has to last you a long time, and it's already damaged.

Answer 2

A degenerated disc at L5 (beltline) should not cause pressure on the bladder. I agree with the cystitis or perhaps a low grade chronic infection that may need a prophylaxis.

Have you seen your MRI itself and/or the written transcript? Some discs do not respond to chiropracty, and in fact, chiropracty can do a lot more harm than you can imagine if you have a damaged disc.

Chiropractors cannot "help" your bladder. They are only trained and licensed to "treat" the spine - no extremities, no joints, no internal organs. They do not have the skills nor have the knowledge.

Take yourself to an elite medical facility such as the Mayo Clinic and find the root of your problem.

Answer 3

I suffer from chronic back pain and there is not one part of your body which is not affected by back problems. Doctors, for all the so-called advances in medical science are reluctant to commit themselves to anything when it comes to the back - you might as well consult a witch doctor and you would probably get more clarity. I don.t want to sound negative but there is very little that anyone can do about your back if you have a lot of money you could impoverish yourself and sell your children into servitude with little or no impact. As far as your experience perhaps mind over matter in that you expected a certain result and so you got it. Long term I would be very doubtful, I honestly hope I am wrong and that things improve however, one bit of advice it is not wise to allow surgery unless you are in extreme pain because in a majority of cases back surgery leaves the patient worse off than before and if a doctor tells you different -he is after your money, best of luck and I mean it

Answer 4

I am a chiropractic clinical assistant.

If your spine is subluxated it could be putting pressure on nerves leading to bladder.

If the ( L5) is subluxated ?a manipulation would normally be done
but if there is degeneration of that area. , a differant maipulation would be done.
If there is any area of the spine that is subluxated it can effect your nervous system and your well being
It is also important to keep the body hydrated.
Drink at least 2 litres of water a day and 5 fruit and veg to keep your immune system healthy.

Answer 5

Yes and Yes! If it has been proved that you have nothing medically wrong with your bladder it could be as a result of your back problem. Take no notice of the doctors who said not to see a chiropractor, most of them are just afraid that they can be replaced or are so egotistical that they believe that no-one but themselves has any value. I would persist with the chiropractor as some symptoms may take some time to be relieved. If this doesn't help your bladder ask your chiropractors advise, he/she may refer you to another form of therapy.

Answer 6

persist with the chiropractic treatment for sure... the majority of the answers on here have no idea what they are talking about (especially the person who referred to it as chiropracty)

It's great that you have results already. The most important thing to remember is that your problem begun and has been persisting for more than 10 years, so you have to keep in mind that it isn't exactly going to be fixed instantly! most chiropractors will put you on a 6-12 week intensive plan and then keep you on for maintenance check-ups after that... it's definately well worth it =)

Answer 7

I used to work in a physio clinic and we had a patient come in one day who had a lumbar spine injury which was actually causing him incontinence. He was sent immediately to the hospital, so from that I think that there is good possibility that your lumbar spine injury is causing the pressure on your bladder. If the chiropractor is working for you then keep with that treatment.

Answer 8

Certainly a Chiropractor, and the other one that I would seriously consider is an acupuncturist! I have seen some incredible results from acupuncture,

Answer 9

To answer your main Q - highly unlikely and yes, respectively, although you've left it a bit late for the chiro.