Pelvic pain that changes with position or stress
Aching, burning or pressure that flares with long sitting, cycling, heavy lifting or busy periods.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can show up as aching or pressure in the pelvis, urgency, trouble emptying, constipation, or pain with sex. It often gets worse with sitting, exercise or during stressful periods.
The pelvic floor needs to switch between holding and letting go. In many people it stays tight and guarded, or relaxes too late. Irritated nerves and trigger points, which are tight spots that send pain elsewhere, often add to it. These can sit in the pelvic floor, hips, abdomen or low back.
I treat the muscle and nerve sources with dry needling, a form of acupuncture. If a tight obturator internus or pelvic floor is compressing the pudendal nerve, needling those muscles helps take that pressure off. When retraining would help, I work with a pelvic floor physical therapist.
Most people have had imaging, lab work, medication, and often a set of Kegel exercises. Those tests are good at ruling out serious problems, but they don’t show trigger points, guarding or nerve sensitivity. Medication may ease symptoms without changing muscle tension. Kegels can make things worse when the muscles are already too tight. Pelvic floor PT is a good fit for retraining, but it won’t include needling here. New York does not let physical therapists or chiropractors dry needle.
I start by asking what sets off your symptoms, how they behave through the day, and what testing you’ve had. Then the exam:
Your doctors and pelvic floor PT are part of the team I work with. If your bladder, bowel or pain pattern points back to one of them, I’ll let you know and send along what I found.
No. Weakness can be part of it, but many people have muscles that are too tight or slow to relax. In those cases, strengthening before restoring relaxation and timing can increase symptoms.
No. Internal treatment isn’t part of my practice. I work externally with dry needling, and if internal work would help, I refer you to a pelvic floor physical therapist.
That varies with how long you’ve had symptoms, how sensitive things are, and how many sources are involved. For pelvic floor dysfunction, a course usually lasts 4 to 6 weeks before visits spread out. I set frequency based on your exam and how you respond.
It may help when those symptoms are driven by tight pelvic and hip muscles or trigger points. Relaxing the obturator internus and pelvic floor can also ease pressure on the pudendal nerve that runs between them. If symptoms suggest infection, obstruction or another medical problem, you need a medical evaluation as well.
That is common. Those tests rule out structural problems but don’t show trigger points, guarding or nerve sensitivity. A hands-on exam is how those are found.
Done by a trained clinician with careful screening, it is generally well tolerated. I review your history and medications first. See a doctor first if you have fever, unexplained bleeding, sudden numbness or weakness, suspected infection, or new severe trouble emptying your bladder.
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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