Pain that builds when I sit
Worse on firm surfaces, and better standing, leaning forward or shifting weight off the tailbone.
Coccydynia is pain at the tailbone, or coccyx. It builds with sitting, especially on hard surfaces or when leaning back. Standing up from a chair can bring a sharp catch. Leaning forward or shifting your weight off the tailbone usually helps.
The coccyx is small, but pelvic floor and gluteal muscles attach to it. When those tissues become sensitive or tight, sitting pressure and the pull of standing up can hurt more than they should. This often starts after a fall, long sitting or childbirth. The nerves around the area can stay on alert well after that.
I treat the pelvic floor and the gluteal attachments with dry needling, a form of acupuncture. If a tight gluteus maximus or coccygeus is pressing on the cluneal or pudendal nerves, I needle that muscle to relieve the pressure. I also give you practical seat and posture strategies so you can keep working.
Most people have had imaging, pain medication, and sometimes an injection. Imaging rules out fractures and other structural problems, but it’s often normal or shows findings that don’t match your pain. Medication can reduce pain without changing pelvic floor guarding or tissue sensitivity. An injection helps some people, but the benefit may fade if muscles or nerves are the main source. Pelvic floor PT for tailbone pain can help, but in New York it can’t include needling. PTs and chiropractors here aren’t allowed to dry needle.
I start with how long you can sit, what happens when you stand up, and how the pain began. Then the exam:
Your doctors and pelvic floor PT stay in the loop. If anything in your tailbone exam suggests one of them should take a look, I’ll let you know and share my notes.
Not always. Much tailbone pain comes from tissue sensitivity, pelvic floor guarding and nerve sensitivity, which imaging doesn’t show clearly. If your history suggests a medical workup, I’ll let you know.
Often both. The coccyx works together with the pelvic floor and gluteal muscles that attach to it. I look at which part is driving your symptoms rather than assuming a single cause.
Most people start with 1 to 2 visits a week. Visits usually space out as sitting becomes more comfortable. The plan depends on how reactive your symptoms are and how long you’ve had them.
No. I don’t treat the tailbone or pelvic floor internally. I reach those muscles from outside the body with targeted dry needling. Where internal work would help, I’ll refer you to a pelvic floor physical therapist.
That’s common, and the plan works around it. I combine treatment with seat and posture strategies and gradual increases in sitting time. The aim is to keep you working while flares become less frequent.
Tailbone pain usually comes from muscles, ligaments and nerves, but some signs need a doctor. Seek prompt care for fever, unexplained weight loss, night pain that keeps getting worse, new numbness or weakness, new bowel or bladder changes, or pain after a major fall.
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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