Cramping with deep pelvic pressure
Often worse with long sitting, core exercise or the first days of your period, and it may linger after.
You may have heavy, cramping periods and a deep pelvic pressure that lingers after them. Pain can also spread to the low back, hips and groin, or come with sex.
Adenomyosis means tissue like the uterine lining grows into the muscle wall of the uterus. Repeated pain from the uterus can lead the pelvic floor to tighten and stay tight. It can also make the spinal levels that serve the pelvis more reactive, so pain spreads beyond the uterus.
I work alongside your care team, who manage the adenomyosis. Alongside that care, I treat the pain and its muscle and nerve sources using dry needling, a form of acupuncture. A guarding obturator internus and levator ani can squeeze the pudendal nerve, and needling them is meant to give it room. For pain that has spread, I needle at the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine and the sacrum to help quiet the amplification. Electroacupuncture, a gentle current through fine needles, may help influence the signaling between the brain, ovaries and uterus. Custom herbal formulas can support circulation and hormones.
Most people have had ultrasound or MRI, hormonal treatment or an IUD, and sometimes surgery. These target the uterus and can be essential. They don’t always ease a pelvic floor that has learned to guard, or nerves that stay sensitive. After surgery, guarding and scar sensitivity can continue to limit sitting, sex and exercise.
I ask about your cycle, bleeding, where the pain spreads, and what treatment you’re on. Then the exam:
I collaborate with your care team, and if my exam turns up something worth discussing with them, I’ll let you know and share it.
No. Adenomyosis is diagnosed by your care team, usually with ultrasound and sometimes MRI. Once it’s diagnosed, I treat the pain, use electroacupuncture to help influence hormonal signaling, and use custom herbal formulas to support circulation and hormones.
The uterus shares nerve pathways with the pelvic floor, hips and low back. Ongoing uterine pain can make those areas guard and become more sensitive. Treating them aims to ease that added layer of pain alongside your medical care.
I needle the pelvic floor, hip and abdominal muscles reproducing your pain, which takes tension off the pudendal nerve. Needling near the spine helps when pain has spread widely. Electroacupuncture and herbs support the hormonal side, and most plans use several of these together.
Often, yes. Muscle guarding and nerve sensitivity can persist regardless of hormonal treatment. I plan around your medication and track how symptoms change across your cycle.
Pain after surgery can come from guarding, scar sensitivity or a tight pelvic floor. I treat those, and you stay in follow-up with your surgeon or care team.
Seek prompt care for severe sudden pelvic pain, heavy bleeding with dizziness or fainting, a possible pregnancy, or fever. The same applies to symptoms that are quickly worsening or urinary symptoms that could mean infection.
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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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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