Sharp or burning pain in the penis
Often worse with arousal or a change in position, even when the skin looks normal.
Pain with erection is a symptom, and it can have more than one source. It may feel sharp or burning in the penis, or like pressure between the sit bones. It can spread to the groin, testicles or lower belly, and it often flares after ejaculation.
The common muscle sources are the pelvic floor and two hip muscles, the obturator internus and the adductors. When these muscles stay tight for a long time, they can refer pain into the genitals and perineum. Arousal changes the pressure and activity in these tissues, so pain can rise with an erection. The common nerve sources are the pudendal and ilioinguinal nerves, which can become sensitive to pressure from tight muscle nearby.
Dry needling, a form of acupuncture, is how I treat these muscles. Tight obturator internus and pelvic floor muscles can crowd the pudendal nerve, so I needle them to give the nerve room. If the pudendal or ilioinguinal nerve has become irritable in its own right, I use electroacupuncture. Fine needles beside the nerve carry a gentle current to help change how it signals.
Most people have had a urology workup with tests for infection and sometimes imaging. Those tests matter, because they rule out important causes. They don’t measure muscle tone or show a nerve that has become sensitive to pressure. Antibiotics are often tried for suspected prostatitis, and the pain can continue after cultures come back negative. Pelvic floor PT is another common step. Dry needling adds a different tool, since New York doesn’t allow PTs or chiropractors to dry needle.
I start by asking what brings the pain on, including sitting, training, stress and its timing around sex. Then the exam:
I work alongside urology and pelvic floor PT. If something on exam points back to one of them, I’ll tell you and pass along my findings.
Yes, if you haven’t been evaluated or if the pain is new or getting worse. Urology can rule out infection, injury and other medical causes. I work alongside your urologist and focus on the muscle and nerve sources of the pain.
Seek urgent care for sudden severe testicular pain, significant swelling or discoloration, fever or chills, or visible blood in your urine. The same applies if you can’t urinate, notice new curvature after an injury, or are concerned about a sexually transmitted infection. A painful erection lasting more than 4 hours is an emergency. If you’re unsure, get checked urgently first.
No, not as a rule. Stress can make it worse, but there is usually a physical part too. Tight pelvic floor muscles, trigger points (tender spots in muscle that send pain elsewhere) and sensitive nerves are common. I treat those while keeping in mind how stress adds to the bracing.
It can help ease the muscles and nerves that are often behind this pain. Releasing a tight obturator internus or pelvic floor eases the squeeze on the pudendal nerve beside it. An ilioinguinal or pudendal nerve that stays overreactive can get gentle current through fine needles placed near it. Erection pain usually has more than one source, so most people get both.
It depends on how long you’ve had the pain and how sensitive the nerves are. Many people start with a few closely spaced visits, then spread them out as erections become more predictable.
I don’t do internal work of any kind. Treatment is external, covering the pelvic floor plus the hip and abdominal muscles that feed into it. When internal work would add something, I refer to a pelvic floor physical therapist.
Adults with pelvic floor, nerve and orthopedic pain, along with neurological conditions. Most of my patients come to me after other care hasn't fully settled things. If you're looking for general wellness acupuncture, I'm not the right fit.
We review your history and what you've already tried. I assess the muscles and nerves involved, and you're treated the same day.
It depends on the condition. Pelvic and orthopedic plans usually run 4 to 6 weeks. Neurological plans are usually 2 visits a week for 6 weeks or 3 a week for 4. After that, visits space out so the changes hold. These are typical timelines, not promises.
Yes. I work alongside doctors, physical therapists and specialists. If something I find needs a closer look from one of them, I'll tell you.
I'm an out-of-network provider. You pay at the time of your visit, and my office submits the claim so any reimbursement comes to you. Free benefit checks are available before your first visit through the verification form, and HSA and FSA cards work. I don't take Medicare or Medicaid, though some Medicare Advantage plans reimburse out-of-network care. Full insurance details
Yes. I treat adults, teens and children, though I don't specialize in infants or toddlers.
Yes. Book a free discovery call to ask your questions and see whether we're a good fit.
Dry needling is a form of acupuncture. Fine needles go into tight bands of muscle and trigger points to lower muscle tension and change how the area is signaling.
You may feel a brief twitch or a deep ache as the needle reaches tight muscle. It passes quickly, and any soreness afterward usually fades within a day or two.
It's generally safe with a properly trained practitioner. Needles are sterile and single-use, and I check your health history first, including blood thinners. In New York, dry needling can only be performed by licensed acupuncturists, MDs and DOs. Physical therapists and chiropractors aren't permitted to perform it.
Eat something light beforehand and wear loose clothing that lets me reach the area being treated.
Usually not. Ultrasound helps in a few specific cases, but it hasn't been shown to improve results for common trigger points. A careful hands-on exam is what guides the needle. More on ultrasound-guided dry needling
Dry needling aimed at the pelvic floor and the hip and abdominal muscles around it, for pain, tension and urinary symptoms driven by those muscles and their nerves. More on pelvic floor dry needling
Sometimes, depending on the muscles involved, and you'll be draped throughout. Treatment always follows your consent and comfort. I don't do internal exams or internal treatment.
No, though it helps if you've already seen a doctor or pelvic floor physical therapist. Bring any notes or imaging you have.
Completely. I've heard it all, and there's no judgment here, just a straightforward conversation so we can treat what's going on.
Yes, I treat adults of every gender and identity. After gender-affirming surgery involving the pelvis, bring your surgical notes and we'll decide together what fits.
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Evidence-based acupuncture and dry needling on the Upper West Side. From chronic pain and headaches to pelvic floor dysfunction, Dr. Jordan Barber pairs the highest level of training with care that actually listens.
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