Heaviness or fullness
Often worse later in the day or after long sitting or standing.
Rectal pressure can feel like heaviness, fullness, or as if something is stuck. It can come with urgency that doesn’t match how much stool there is. It’s a symptom with more than one possible source, including bowel, organ support and muscle causes.
When it’s muscular, the pelvic floor is commonly holding steady tension or not relaxing during bowel movements. That tension can make normal signals from the rectum register as pressure or fullness. Over time, the area can become more protective and more sensitive. Hip and low back mechanics can add to it.
I treat the muscle side with dry needling, a form of acupuncture, to the pelvic floor, deep hip rotators and nearby muscles. Along the side wall of the pelvis, a tight obturator internus can press on the pudendal nerve. I needle that muscle and the deep hip rotators so the nerve is less crowded. Medical evaluation stays with your doctors.
Most people have had imaging or a scope, sometimes medication, and sometimes pelvic floor PT. Testing is essential to rule out disease, but it doesn’t measure muscle tone, trigger points or nerve sensitivity. Medication may change stool or ease spasm for a while without changing coordination. If pelvic floor PT is part of your history, needling still adds something new. In New York, PTs and chiropractors aren’t permitted to dry needle.
I start by asking about your bowel habits, what brings on the pressure, how long you can sit, your training, and what testing you’ve had. Then the exam:
My work sits alongside gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, urology, primary care and pelvic floor PT. I don’t decide who needs a doctor, but if my exam raises a question for one of them, I’ll tell you and share my notes.
No. It can be medical, structural or muscular. A medical exam matters for persistent symptoms. Many cases also involve pelvic floor tension, muscle referral or nerve sensitivity that doesn’t show on routine imaging.
See a doctor promptly for rectal bleeding, fever, unexplained weight loss or new anemia. The same goes for nighttime symptoms that are quickly getting worse, or sudden severe pain. New numbness, weakness or other nerve symptoms also need medical evaluation first.
If tight pelvic floor muscles or trigger points reproduce the pressure during the exam, needling them can ease tension and sensitivity. Loosening the obturator internus in particular can also ease its pressure on the pudendal nerve. I pair it with simple strategies for sitting and bowel movements.
Sometimes the main source hasn’t been pinned down, such as a specific muscle, nerve path or hip pattern. Sensitivity can also linger. I reexamine and needle what I find, which often works well alongside PT.
It depends on how long you’ve had it, how sensitive the area is, and what is contributing. Usually that’s a short series first, with longer gaps once the pressure eases. I base the plan on changes in sitting, triggers and exam findings.
Yes. With your permission, I’ll share what I find and line up goals with them. This symptom often does best when medical care and muscle treatment work together.
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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