Background: Stress incontinence affects 25–60% of women of all ages and causes constant discomfort, significantly
lowering quality of life. The most common causes of urinary incontinence are weakened sphincter
muscles or bladder failure.
Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic massage therapy for
stress urinary incontinence and to determine whether therapeutic massage can restore the normal function
of the bladder sphincters.
Material and methods: The study involved eleven women with a diagnosis of primary stress urinary incontinence,
aged 50–79 years. The women attended therapeutic massage sessions twice a week for four weeks.
A sanitary pad test was performed before starting and immediately after ending the therapy to verify its effectiveness.
Results: In eight women, the amount of urine that leaked decreased after therapy. This result was statistically
significant (p = 0.02). In three cases, urine leakage was reduced to zero.
Conclusions: Therapeutic massage, acting locally, improves the function of the bladder sphincters, their
flexibility and the ability to contract and relax. Massage eliminates or significantly reduces the symptoms of
stress urinary incontinence.