Burning or pressure when sitting
It's often worse after long meetings, commuting or cycling, and eases when you stand.
Healing may be on track, yet sitting, walking, dilation or touch near the scar still hurts. Some people feel burning or electric pain, or a pelvic floor that won’t relax. This is a symptom with more than one possible source, and it says nothing bad about your surgery or your choices.
After pelvic surgery, the pelvic floor and hip muscles often tighten to protect the area. Tissue near the scar can stay sensitive and stiff. Nearby nerves, especially the pudendal and genitofemoral nerves, can become sensitive and send stronger signals than the situation calls for.
I treat the muscle and nerve sources with dry needling, a form of acupuncture, planned around your surgeon’s timeline. A tight obturator internus and pelvic floor can press on the pudendal nerve, so I needle those muscles to give it room. An irritable genitofemoral nerve in the groin gets electroacupuncture instead: fine needles near it with a gentle current to help shift its signaling.
Most people have had follow-up exams with their surgical team, sometimes medication, and often pelvic floor PT or dilation guidance. Exams confirm healing and rule out complications, which matters. They don’t measure muscle guarding or nerve sensitivity, and medication can lower pain without changing either. If you’ve done pelvic floor PT, dry needling adds something new. New York doesn’t permit physical therapists or chiropractors to needle.
I ask about your procedure, your surgeon’s current restrictions, and what sets the pain off. Then the exam:
I coordinate with your surgical team and pelvic floor PT. If my findings point toward checking back with them, I’ll let you know and share the details.
It can be. Clearance means the tissue is healing and complications are unlikely. Pain can still come from muscle guarding, sensitive tissue near the scar, or nerves that have become sensitive.
I plan treatment around your surgical timeline and current restrictions. I don’t needle unhealed tissue. If timing is unclear, I’ll check with your surgeon or pelvic floor PT first.
No. My pelvic floor treatment is entirely external. If internal work would benefit you, a pelvic floor physical therapist is the right referral, and I’ll connect you.
I needle the tight muscles reproducing your pain, which also frees up the pudendal nerve beside them. For a groin nerve that stays sensitive, I add a gentle current through needles placed nearby. Both are often needed together.
That pattern usually points to an irritated nerve. I trace where you feel it and what triggers it, then treat both the nerve and the muscle around it.
Often, when they’re linked to a tight pelvic floor. Seek medical care promptly for signs of infection, fever, unusual bleeding or wound problems. The same applies to sudden swelling or new numbness or weakness.
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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