Reflex voiding

Authors: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: Bonnie Nybo | Published: 18 January 2018 | Updated: 16 October 2024

Reflex voiding is a technique that can be used by some people with spastic bladder to stimulate urination. Reflex voiding is usually done by tapping over the bladder lightly and repeatedly with the fingertips or the side of the hand to stimulate reflexes in the bladder muscles. This technique can be used to help improve bladder emptying during intermittent catheterization and when using condom catheters. However, only a small number of people can use this technique safely without increasing the pressure too high in the bladder. Speak to your health team for more information about this technique.

Older techniques for reflex voiding such as the Valsalva maneuver (increasing abdominal pressure by holding the breath and bracing) and the Credé technique (applying manual pressure onto the bladder through the abdomen) are no longer recommended because they can cause too much pressure in the bladder, which can damage the kidneys.