The Role of the Nervous System in Bladder Control
Bladder control is fundamentally influenced by the parasympathetic nervous system, which originates from the sacral nerve roots (S2-S4). These nerves stimulate the bladder's detrusor muscle to contract when it fills with urine, promoting voiding. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine is key in this process, facilitating the release of urine.
Conversely, the sympathetic nervous system, specifically from spinal levels L3-L5, serves to relax the bladder and contract the internal sphincter when urination is not socially appropriate. This balance between sympathetic relaxation and parasympathetic contraction is critical for maintaining bladder control.
The Impact of Spinal Health and Sympathetic Dominance
Spinal health significantly influences bladder function. Subluxations or misalignments in the spinal column, particularly at the L3-L5 and S2-S4 levels, can cause neurological interference. Such interference disrupts the signaling pathways essential for normal bladder control, potentially leading to issues such as involuntary contractions (overactive bladder) or incomplete emptying (underactive bladder).
In our modern society, sympathetic nervous system dominance—often referred to as the "fight-or-flight" response—is becoming increasingly common due to stressors like work pressure, anxiety, and lifestyle habits. This dominance can lead to chronic tension in the body, contributing to bladder dysfunction. When the sympathetic system is overactive, it can impair the ability to void and exacerbate urinary problems, as the bladder is kept in a state of relaxation, allowing urine retention instead of facilitating proper elimination.
As you will see in this example the patient previously had a sacral nerve stimulator implanted. This unfortunately did not provide her any results. Remember the sacral nerves are predominantly are parasympathetic which responsible for bladder muscles contraction (i.e. Urination) while the spinal nerves coming from the lumbar spine are sympathetic which in turn are responsible for bladder muscle relaxation.
This patient had a chronic low back injury that has results in severe degeneration and nerve interference at L5, which is the region of the spine responsible for bladder relaxation.
Conclusion
A clear understanding of spinal health, including the impacts of subluxation particular in the lumbar and sacral spine is vital in addressing urinary and bladder control issues. Additionally, recognizing the role of sympathetic nervous system dominance in modern life can provide insights into why these problems are becoming more prevalent. By identifying the underlying neurological factors, individuals can often seek medication-free intervention that addresses the root cause of the problem.