Spina bifida is a neural tube birth defect that most commonly affects the lower end of the spinal cord. As a result, there are problems with the nerves talking to the urinary bladder, bowels, and sometimes the legs. Dr. Yarnell is one of the few naturopathic doctors in the world with extensive experience using natural medicine means to help patient with the bladder and bowel issues in spina bifida. He is not qualified to work with the leg problems, but can help refer patients to appropriate resources to help in this are if they don't already have a care team. Dr. Yarnell also does not treat hydrocephalus, but can help manage when there are recurrent problems with VT shunts used to treat this problem.

Having worked with over 40 patients with spina bifida in the past 10 years, Dr. Yarnell has gained crucial experience and insight into how to optimize care. He has been able to use the herb Atropa belladonna (belladonna or "deadly" nightshade) to control bladder spasms very effectively. This herb is in fact the source of most of the medications used to treat belladonna (such as oxybutynin or Ditropan). In every case so far, the herb has been able to be successfully substituted for the drug, actually eliminating adverse effects in the process. Dr. Yarnell helps educate caregivers and parents about how to use this herb safely and effectively. Some patients do still require periodic catheterization, but the frequency has usually been able to be reduced and risk of infection greatly reduced or apparently eliminated using some other herbal treatments (this is not always a problem, possibly due to taking preventive natural measures against infection).

Dr. Yarnell has also worked out an herbal formula that seems to help repair the nerves or improves their function, though this takes months or even years to become fully evident. But the long-term efficacy has surprised him and his patients.

If bladder or kidney infections are a problem, Dr. Yarnell has helped many patients work through this and come up with an effective program to prevent them. In almost every case this has actually ended up resulting in use of fewer antibiotics, recognizing the risk of overuse of these agents breeding more resistance microbes is a serious problem.

Dr. Yarnell can also help develop an effective and workable bowel management program.

Dr. Yarnell always works in conjunction with your conventional urology and other care providers to give your child the best possible outcomes.