Pelvic pressure when sitting or standing
A heavy, full feeling that builds through the day, often with breath holding or bracing you may not notice.
You may feel a heavy, full pressure that builds through the day, cramping that spreads into the back and hips, or pain with sex. Symptoms don’t always match fibroid size.
Pressure and bleeding can lead the pelvic floor, lower abdomen and hip muscles to brace. Over time those muscles can become tender and less tolerant of sitting, sex, bowel movements or exercise. Tight muscle can also irritate nearby nerves, so pain spreads beyond the midline.
I work alongside your gynecologist, who manages the fibroids and any procedure decisions. With dry needling, a form of acupuncture, I treat the pelvic pain and the muscle and nerve sources feeding it. A tight piriformis and obturator internus can press on the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve. That nerve serves the back of the thigh and perineum. Needling those muscles aims to give it room. After a myomectomy, embolization or other fibroid procedure, I also treat tender scar tissue in the lower abdomen and the muscles that guard around it. I also use electroacupuncture, a gentle current through fine needles, to help influence how the brain and nervous system signal to the uterus. Custom herbal formulas are chosen to support circulation and hormonal health.
Most people have had ultrasound or MRI, medication for bleeding, and sometimes a procedure or surgery. These address the fibroids and can be essential. They don’t always ease the bracing, tender muscle and nerve irritation that build up around them, or the scar sensitivity a procedure can leave behind. Imaging confirms fibroids but can’t show pelvic floor tone or tender spots in muscle.
I ask about your cycle, bleeding, where you feel pressure, and how bladder and bowel symptoms change. Then the exam:
Fibroid care stays with your gynecologist. When something in my exam seems worth their attention, I’ll tell you and share what I noticed.
Your gynecologist manages the fibroids themselves, including any procedure. I treat the pain and the muscle and nerve sources that come with them. I also use electroacupuncture to help influence signaling to the uterus, and custom herbal formulas to support circulation and hormones.
Pain doesn’t depend on size alone. Tight pelvic floor muscles, bracing through the abdomen and hips, and irritated nerves can all add to pressure and pain.
If you already have ultrasound or MRI results, they’re helpful. New or heavier bleeding, a quick change in symptoms, or signs of anemia such as dizziness or unusual fatigue need your gynecologist first.
I needle the pelvic floor, hip and abdominal muscles that reproduce your pain. Releasing the piriformis and obturator internus also frees the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve. Electroacupuncture and herbs are usually added, since fibroid pain rarely has a single source.
Often, yes. Before a procedure, I can work on muscle guarding. Afterward, I time treatment around your recovery and your doctor’s guidance.
No. I don’t do internal treatment. My pelvic floor work is external, together with the hip and abdominal muscles involved. If internal work would help, a pelvic floor physical therapist is my referral.
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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