My wrist hangs down
Holding the wrist up against gravity is hard, and a brace that props it up makes daily tasks easier.
Radial nerve palsy often starts suddenly. Some people wake up after sleeping on the arm, and others notice it after an injury or long pressure on the upper arm. The wrist drops, the fingers won’t open fully, and the back of the hand may feel numb.
The radial nerve runs the muscles that lift the wrist and straighten the fingers and thumb. When it is compressed or irritated, those extensor muscles get a weak or patchy signal. Grip feels weak too, because the hand can’t hold the wrist steady while the fingers close. Over weeks, the arm learns to work around the weakness, and that habit can linger.
Your doctor or neurologist confirms the diagnosis and decides on splinting, nerve testing or imaging. I work alongside that care with dry needling, a form of acupuncture, and electroacupuncture. The triceps and the supinator both sit along the radial nerve’s route, and when they’re tight they can press on it. I needle those two muscles to take that pressure off. For the nerve itself, electroacupuncture places fine needles near the radial nerve and its forearm branches with a gentle current. It is an approach grounded in neuroscience, aimed at supporting the signal to your wrist and finger extensors.
Most people have been given a wrist splint and told to rest while the nerve recovers. Some have also had a nerve conduction study. Those are sensible first steps. Waiting on its own doesn’t give the nerve or the extensor muscles any added input, and the arm can settle into compensating. Physical therapy, including hand therapy, may already be part of your plan. Dry needling is something it can’t add here, since New York bars physical therapists and chiropractors from using it.
I ask how the weakness started, what testing you’ve had, and which daily tasks are hardest now. Then the exam:
I work alongside neurologists, orthopedists, hand therapists and primary care doctors. If what I find suggests checking back in with one of them, I’ll let you know and share what I found.
Your doctor or neurologist does, usually with an exam and sometimes a nerve conduction study. They also decide on splinting, imaging and any further workup. I work alongside them and send my findings back when it helps.
It may help, and treatment is usually a combination when both the muscles and the nerve are involved. Releasing the triceps and supinator takes some pressure off the nerve’s path. Electroacupuncture aims to support the nerve’s signal to the wrist and finger muscles.
I plan in weeks rather than a set number: either two visits weekly for six weeks or three weekly for four, depending on how severe the palsy is and how it responds. A recovering nerve tends to do better with regular input to the wrist and finger extensors. When strength holds between visits, I taper. I can’t promise how fast the nerve heals.
Yes. Follow your doctor and therapist on the splint and exercises. Treatment with me is meant to sit alongside that work, and I’m glad to coordinate with your therapist.
Starting early can be helpful, since the nerve and extensor muscles get support while recovery is underway. It doesn’t guarantee a faster result. It is still worth coming in if the weakness began months ago.
Wrist and finger weakness needs a doctor’s evaluation before treatment, to rule out causes in the spinal cord, brain or elsewhere. Call 911 for sudden weakness with slurred speech, facial droop or confusion. Get seen promptly for weakness that spreads or worsens over days, severe pain after an injury, or fever.
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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