Overview Contact Us
Request an Appointment
Get a Second Opinion
Test
Test

About voiding improvement

Continence — the ability to control bladder and bowel function and to use the toilet as needed — is a vital skill for any child. Continence plays an important role in a child's life, affecting his:

  • Self-esteem
  • Social interactions
  • School life and performance
  • Home life
  • Family relationships

Many children, however, experience problems achieving full continence (during the day, overnight, or both). The reasons can vary widely, but often include:

When a child experiences one of these issues, clinicians can help through an approach known as voiding improvement.

How Boston Children's Hospital approaches voiding improvement

As part of our renowned Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital has a dedicated Center for Healthy Elimination and Bladder Rehabilitation (CHEER). CHEER's expert physicians and nurse practitioners take a comprehensive approach to helping children overcome voiding difficulties, offering the following services:

  • Customized treatment plans that take into account the needs and circumstances of the individual child and family
  • Comprehensive evaluations
  • Urodynamics and other tests
  • A bowel program for children experiencing constipation
  • Counseling to reduce anxiety about voiding
  • Biofeedback training, a non-invasive tool with excellent success rates
  • Reiki therapy
  • Acupuncture

Practitioners Who Specialize In This Condition (5)

Margaret Werner, MD

Margaret Werner, MD

UroPediatrician, Department of Urology
Instructor in Surgery, Harvard Medical School
View Profile