Pain with penetration
Burning or sharp pain at the opening or deeper in, often worst at first contact.
Vaginal pain is a symptom with more than one possible source. It may show up with penetration, tampons, wiping or tight clothing. Sitting can make it worse, and once it starts it can be hard to settle.
Once medical causes are ruled out, the common muscle source is a pelvic floor that stays tight and guarded. Tight muscle can press on and irritate nearby nerves, mainly the pudendal and perineal nerves. After an infection, a hormonal change or repeated pain, these nerves can become more reactive. Ordinary pressure or stretch can then feel painful.
My main tool is dry needling, a form of acupuncture, for the pelvic floor and surrounding hip muscles. Where the levator ani and obturator internus are tight enough to crowd the pudendal nerve, needling those muscles frees up space around it. An irritable pudendal or perineal nerve calls for electroacupuncture. A mild current through fine needles near the nerve aims to change how it signals.
Most people have had a gynecologic exam, swabs and sometimes imaging. These are the right first steps to rule out infection, skin conditions and structural problems. Treatment then often includes medication or topical creams. These may not change pelvic floor tone or how sensitive the nerves have become. They also may not reach trigger points, tight, tender knots that refer pain to other areas. Pelvic floor PT may already be part of your care. PTs and chiropractors in New York can’t offer dry needling, so it adds a different tool.
I start by asking what brings the pain on, including sex, sitting, exercise and clothing. Then the exam:
I work alongside gynecology and pelvic floor PT. When something I find suggests a return visit to one of them, I’ll say so and share my exam notes.
Yes, it is. Normal labs and imaging are reassuring, but they don’t measure muscle tone, trigger points or nerve sensitivity. Persistent vaginal pain often comes from these, and a hands-on exam can find them.
I treat the pain and the muscle and nerve sources that often come with these diagnoses. Diagnosis, skin care and hormonal treatment stay with your gynecologist or specialist. I work alongside them.
I place fine needles into the tight pelvic floor and hip muscles that reproduce your pain. As the levator ani relaxes, the pudendal nerve running alongside it is under less strain. If that nerve still overreacts, I add a gentle current, and vaginal pain often needs both.
That depends on how irritable the pain is and how long you’ve had it. Many people start once or twice a week, then come less often as symptoms settle.
Brief soreness or a short rise in sensitivity can happen when treating irritable tissue. I start gently, track how you respond and adjust the intensity and spacing of visits.
Often, yes. Gynecology manages medical, tissue and hormonal factors, and PT helps with retraining. See a doctor promptly for new unexplained bleeding, fever, rapidly worsening symptoms or concerning skin changes. I work alongside both and share what I find.
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.
We also offer house calls and after-hours appointments by arrangement.
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118 W. 72nd St, Rear Lobby, New York, NY 10023
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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