What if everything you’ve been told about incontinence kept you suffering and searching for real answers, for far too long?

For decades, women have been dismissed, handed one-size-fits-all advice, or told to accept bladder leaks as a normal part of aging. But incontinence is not your fault. It’s not something to hide. And most importantly, it’s treatable.

You don’t need to live in silence. Especially not in a city that never stops moving. For busy New Yorkers juggling work, family, and nonstop responsibilities, incontinence can quietly chip away at your sense of control, freedom, and confidence. You need the right tools, the right support, and a deeper understanding of what your body has been trying to say. 

1 in 3 Women Struggle with Incontinence – The Silent Battle Impacting Women’s Health:

If you’re leaking urine when you laugh, sneeze, run, or even just get up too quickly, you’re not alone. You’re also not broken. According to the National Institutes of Health Up to one-third of women deal with bladder control issues, here’s the truth: incontinence isn’t an isolated issue. It’s often the signal of a deeper imbalance in your fascial system, the connective tissue web that holds your muscles, nerves, and organs in place. It’s often overlooked as a women’s issue, but it’s a human one.

Why Fascia Matters: The Missing Link in Real Healing

Most traditional PT and medical approaches miss a critical piece of the puzzle: your fascia. This is the tissue that wraps around every bone, muscle, nerve, and organ in your body. And when it’s stuck? It can create years of mysterious pain and dysfunction that no scan will ever catch.

Dr. Jessica Papa, DPT, describes fascia like the white pith inside a peeled orange, delicate yet essential. Just like that membrane, fascia holds everything in place, but when it’s dehydrated or restricted, it stops absorbing, communicating, and supporting. You can’t rip through it without damage—you must wait, soften, and stretch it open gently. A leading specialist in the Barnes Myofascial Release Approach, Dr. Papa’s work addresses your physical, emotional and neurological signals trapped within your tissue. As she often says, “We can’t strengthen a system that is locked in protection. First, we must listen. Then, we release.”

Reclaiming Pelvic Power: Understanding the “Three P” Muscles

Achieving a neutral pelvic bowl requires a holistic approach that addresses the three muscles integral to pelvic balance, Pterygoids, Psoas, and Piriformis. The pelvis and jaw are connected through the fascial system and dural tube, which runs from the sacrum up through the spine to the cranium. Misalignment in the pelvis can create tension patterns that pull through this system, leading to shifts in the jaw and cranial bones. This can affect bite, breathing, and even lead to headaches or TMJ dysfunction.

That imbalance creates downward pressure, torque, and a cascade of symptoms that can affect everything from your bladder to your breath.

By gently releasing the fascia surrounding these areas, you allow your body to soften into change. Here are 3 simple steps to start reconnecting with your pelvic floor:

• Start with Breath: Diaphragmatic breathing isn’t just calming—it’s a physiological reset. When you breathe deeply, you release the diaphragm, quiet the nervous system, and soften the tension that often holds your pelvic floor hostage. According to Dr. Papa, this breath-body awareness is foundational. Your body can’t release what your mind hasn’t acknowledged.
• Ditch the Kegels (for now): Many people are told to “strengthen” their pelvic floor without knowing whether it’s already over-tightened. Dr. Papa warns that trying to contract a muscle that’s bracing is like adding weight to a clenched fist. You can’t build strength until you create space. That’s why her approach focuses on unwinding tension before engaging the muscles.
• Feel First, Fix Later: Your symptoms aren’t random. That tightness, heat, or pulling sensation? It’s your body communicating. Fascia responds to subtle shifts, not brute force. Notice the areas in your body that have been asking for your attention and consider a holistic approach to healing. 
• Hydrate to Heal: Fascia is made of 70% water—when dehydrated, it becomes rigid, inflamed, and sticky. Drinking water consistently (especially before movement) helps restore tissue fluidity and supports myofascial release. 

As Dr. Papa says, “If your fascia is dehydrated, no amount of stretching will make you feel better. It’s like pulling a rubber band and letting it snap back—only the surface tension is released, while the deeper layers, where true cellular change occurs, remain untouched. Traditional stretching targets superficial tissues but doesn’t reach the ground substance of the fascia needed for lasting transformation.”

From the Treatment Room to Real Life: A Personal Story

Dr. Jessica Papa, PT, DPT, is a bestselling author and founder of Arancia Physical Therapy. She’s known nationally for her expertise in chronic pain and pelvic floor health, and is certified in advanced pelvic care, dry needling, and expert level Barnes Myofascial Release method. Her approach blends clinical mastery with deep compassion, a perspective shaped by personal experience.

After witnessing her grandmother lose independence due to preventable bladder issues following a fall, Dr. Papa was determined to help others preserve dignity, age with strength, and stay out of institutional care. Her frustration with conventional treatment models led her to pursue fascia-based, trauma-informed healing. Today, she leads a team committed to helping patients reclaim comfort and confidence.

“Real healing begins when we stop reducing people to symptoms, and start seeing them as whole,” she says. “I’m on trial every single hour of the day in this office because you never want to get too comfortable. You have to be as stellar as you were on day one, and win them over on day two.”

Pelvic health isn’t just personal—it’s multigenerational. When one person begins to heal, it often brings comfort, clarity, and support to the entire family.

Healing Incontinence At Home

Discover the self-guided Conquer Incontinence course designed to make this healing accessible, practical, and affordable. Each science-backed module helps you understand your pelvic anatomy, identify your specific type of incontinence, whether it’s stress, urge, or mixed, and gently support your nervous system using trauma-informed, fascia-based care. You’ll learn techniques like breathwork, postural alignment, and at-home myofascial release to support long-term healing. No equipment. No pressure. Just real tools and education you can return to for life. If you’ve been dismissed by traditional treatments or are just beginning to explore the root of your symptoms, this course helps you reconnect with your body on your own terms.

Whether you’re dealing with bladder leaks, unexplained pelvic tension, or chronic discomfort that hasn’t responded to traditional treatments, know there are real solutions available. 

Explore the Conquer Incontinence course at aranciapt.com/conquerincontinence or book a free discovery call with one of our therapists today.

Your body already knows how to heal. Let us help you listen.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any treatment program or making decisions about your health. Individual results may vary.