If you’ve ever leaked a little urine when you laugh, sneeze, or jump, you’re not alone. This is called stress urinary incontinence, and it affects millions of women—especially after childbirth, surgery, or with age. For many, it’s frustrating, embarrassing, and hard to talk about. But here’s the good news: there are new ways to treat it that don’t involve surgery or medication.
One approach that’s getting attention from researchers and pelvic health professionals is dry needling.
Stress incontinence happens when pressure is placed on the bladder—like during laughing, sneezing, or lifting something—and the muscles meant to keep urine in can’t hold it. These muscles are part of the pelvic floor, a group of deep muscles that support your bladder, uterus, and bowels.
When the pelvic floor is weak, tight, or uncoordinated, it can’t do its job well. This is often due to:
Dry needling is a technique where very thin, sterile needles are inserted into tight, overworked, or painful muscles. The goal is to release tension, improve blood flow, and help the muscles reset. It’s not the same as acupuncture. Dry needling targets muscles and connective tissue directly—especially where there are painful knots called trigger points.
When applied to the pelvic floor, dry needling can:
In a randomized controlled trial—a type of high-quality research study—women with chronic pelvic pain, which often overlaps with pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence, were treated with dry needling. They had significant reductions in pain and nervous system sensitivity compared to those who didn’t receive needling.² That’s important, because when the nervous system is overactive, it can make even small problems feel worse.
Another study used ultrasound to guide dry needling into very specific pelvic floor muscles. It found that women had better bladder control, less pelvic pain, and improved posture after treatment.³ This tells us that dry needling doesn’t just help muscles—it helps your whole body coordinate better, especially when used alongside pelvic exercises or breath training.
Here’s what recent studies show about dry needling and pelvic floor dysfunction:
In my clinic, dry needling for stress incontinence is:
Most people feel relief within a few sessions, with reduced leaking, improved confidence, and a better sense of control over their body.
Stress incontinence is common—but it’s not something you have to accept. Whether you’re newly experiencing bladder leaks or have been dealing with them for years, dry needling offers a safe, natural, and research-backed way to support your body’s healing from the inside out.
Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward feeling stronger, drier, and more confident—no surgery or meds required.
