Ache between the legs after sitting
It often builds after 10 to 30 minutes and eases when you stand or walk.
The surgery may have gone well, but sitting still brings on a deep ache, burning or pressure between the legs. Some men also have urgency or pain with orgasm. Like most pelvic pain, it can come from more than one source.
After surgery, the pelvic floor often shifts into a tight, protective holding pattern. Scar tissue can stop nearby layers from sliding freely. Nerves in the area, mainly the pudendal nerve and its perineal branch, can become sensitive to pressure and stretch.
Dry needling, a form of acupuncture, is how I treat these sources. Where the obturator internus and levator ani squeeze the pudendal nerve along the pelvic wall, I needle those muscles to free up space. If the perineal branch stays irritable on its own, electroacupuncture, fine needles placed near it with a gentle current, helps change how it signals.
Most men have had follow-up with their urologist, medication, and sometimes imaging or pelvic floor PT. Imaging confirms there is no major complication but doesn’t explain why sitting or orgasm still hurts. Medication can lower the pain without changing pelvic floor tone, scar movement or nerve sensitivity. Pelvic floor PT is valuable, but it can’t include dry needling here: Dry needling is off limits to PTs and chiropractors in New York.
I ask about your surgery date, your urologist’s guidance, and when sitting, activity or sex brings on the pain. Then the exam:
My work runs alongside urology and pelvic floor PT. Should anything I find suggest a check-in with either, I’ll tell you and send along what I found.
Pain can last even when the surgery went well. It often comes from pelvic floor guarding, scar tissue or nerve sensitivity rather than a new problem. Contact your urologist promptly for sudden worsening, fever, wound changes, significant bleeding or urinary symptoms that change quickly.
Yes. I plan treatment around your precautions and recovery timeline. If you’re already in pelvic floor PT, my work focuses on tight muscles and sensitive nerves to support that plan.
Dry needling uses a very thin needle to release tight, tender spots in muscle. None of it is internal; I work externally and walk you through the plan first. For internal work, I’ll refer you to a pelvic floor physical therapist.
I start with the tight pelvic floor muscles, which relieves pressure on the pudendal nerve running between them. For a nerve branch that stays sensitive, I add a gentle current through needles placed beside it. Most men need both, since muscle and nerve tend to be involved together.
Imaging rules out major complications. It doesn’t show pelvic floor tone, tender spots in muscle, or a nerve that has become sensitive to pressure. That’s why I rely on a hands-on exam.
I can’t promise specific outcomes for continence or sexual function. The aim is to ease guarding and pain so your rehabilitation has a better chance of working. Medication and medical care stay with your urologist.
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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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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