Qigong for Incontinence: Strengthen Your Root, Reclaim Control
Alright, let’s flow into this one gently—because incontinence is something many folks deal with, but almost nobody wants to talk about. Yet in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Qigong, we see it not as a random malfunction, but as a signal—a message from your body that something’s out of balance.
Whether it’s urinary leakage when you laugh, sneeze, or exercise, or an overactive bladder that keeps you tethered to the restroom, incontinence is not just about muscles—it’s deeply tied to Qi, emotions, and the Kidney system.
The TCM View: Your Kidneys Are the Gatekeepers 🚪💧
In TCM, the Kidneys are considered the root of life. They govern water metabolism, store Jing (your essence), and control the opening and closing of the “two lower gates”—your urethra and anus.
When Kidney Qi is strong, these gates open and close properly. When it’s weak or leaking, that’s when you get issues like:
🌀 Stress incontinence (leaking during movement or pressure)
💦 Urge incontinence (sudden, intense need to urinate)
🌙 Nocturia (waking up at night to pee frequently)
🚽 Overflow incontinence (constant dribbling or incomplete voiding)
TCM sees these not as isolated symptoms, but as a Kidney Qi Deficiency, often worsened by:
✨ Chronic stress
✨ Aging
✨ Overwork or sexual exhaustion
✨ Childbirth or surgery
✨ Long-term fear or trauma (yep—emotions impact the organs)
The Emotional Connection: Fear and the Water Element 😨💧
In the Five Element framework, the Kidneys correspond to the Water element, and the emotion tied to Water is fear.
Ever been so scared you almost peed your pants? That’s not just a saying—it’s energetically accurate.
When fear becomes chronic—whether it’s subtle anxiety, unresolved trauma, or just low-grade survival-mode living—it depletes the Kidneys. Over time, this can literally weaken your body’s ability to control elimination.
This is why Qigong isn’t just physical—it’s emotional alchemy.
How Qigong Helps: Strengthen the Gates, Soothe the Mind 🧘♀️🌿
The beauty of Qigong is that it works from the inside out—helping rebuild the foundation while calming the nervous system.
Here’s how it supports incontinence:
🌱 Strengthens Kidney Qi and Jing – Specific standing postures and slow, spiral movements tonify the lower Dantian and root energy.
🌬️ Trains breath and pelvic floor control – Coordinating breath with gentle pelvic activation helps regain control.
🕊️ Releases emotional tension – Movements that focus on Water element healing (like flowing, wave-like routines) help process fear and bring calm.
🔮 Reconnects you to your body’s wisdom – Often, regaining continence is about rebuilding communication between mind and bladder.
Practice Recommendation 💥
Luohan Tapping” and “Shaking the Tree” are highly effective practices, both included in the Beginner’s Course.
Joe’s Lucky Routine also incorporates Kegel exercises for added benefits.
Additionally, the ultimate feel-good routine, combined with the 8 Trigrams, helps to raise energy along the spine and harmonize the body’s inner systems.
The accompanying meditations work to soothe both the mind and body, creating a holistic sense of well-being.
Bonus Tips: What Else Helps?
🫖 Warm foods and herbs – Avoid cold drinks and raw foods. Favor soups, teas, and warming Kidney-friendly herbs like goji berry, rehmannia, and eucommia.
🛁 Keep your low back and feet warm – The Kidney meridian runs along the sole of your foot and your lower back. Don’t let those areas get cold!
🧘♂️ Add meditation – Sit quietly, place hands over your lower Dantian (below the navel), and breathe warmth into your belly. Visualize a golden light sealing your lower gates.
Incontinence isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a wake-up call to come back to your root, rebuild your energetic reservoir, and reclaim control over your temple.
Club Qigong was built for this kind of healing. When Joe and Melissa began their journey, they too were healing everyday issues like these—and now they teach from that deep well of lived experience.
Let’s bring that Qi back down, seal the gates, and flow through life with strength and grace again.