It's hard to deny that we live in a world where health issues seem to be increasingly common. From allergies that baffle doctors to chronic pain that never seems to go away, it's no secret that many individuals struggle to maintain good health. Respiratory issues, reproductive complications, and other conditions add to the mix, making it clear that we're all susceptible to some kind of malady.
Unfortunately, many modern doctors still believe that throwing pills at the problem or scheduling surgery is the best way to provide long-term relief. While certain serious conditions can warrant such extreme treatments, a large percentage of Americans are looking for something far less harmful and much more holistic. They're looking high and low for a reliable, well-studied solution that doesn't require time off work or sketchy pain medications.
At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, one of the most effective and exciting treatments we've seen work for such patients is acupuncture in Freehold, NJ - a modern take on an ancient treatment that has been used for thousands of years.
If you're new to holistic healing, acupuncture may seem intimidating. You might be wondering how needles pressed into your skin could possibly make you feel better. Wouldn't someone pushing a needle into your back be painful? As it turns out, acupuncture is far from painful and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after treatments for chronic pain and for regulating issues relating to:
In fact, acupuncture has been studied and practiced for over 2,500 years and, more recently, has been researched and supported by many scientific studies. While acupuncture may not be a "miracle" treatment for every type of pain or condition, it has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of issues, from depression and allergies to morning sickness and cramps.
Acupuncture is a therapy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that aims to balance the body's energy, called qi, which flows through pathways called meridians. This balance is crucial for overall wellness, as disruptions to qi can lead to health concerns. According to TCM, inserting small stainless-steel needles into specific points called acupoints along the meridians can help rebalance the flow of qi and restore overall health.
These acupoints are believed to release certain chemicals when stimulated, which can trigger an immune response and promote physiological homeostasis. Recent research suggests that this therapy may help alleviate symptoms of various health ailments.
In fact, the National Institute of Health conducted a survey on complementary health approaches, revealing that acupuncture usage in the United States has increased by 50 percent between 2002 and 2012. As of 2012, 6.4 percent of American adults have reported using acupuncture as a form of treatment.
One of the most common questions from new patients interested in acupuncture typically revolves around whether it really works or whether it's all "new age" malarky. We get it - for most folks, the thought of inserting stainless-steel needles into one's back, arms, or neck sounds loony. However, with the ever-increasing popularity of acupuncture in New Jersey and other locations, numerous studies centering on acupuncture's effectiveness have taken place.
Extensive research has been conducted on the effectiveness of acupuncture for various conditions. A February 2022 analysis published in the BMJ, which evaluated over 2,000 scientific reviews of acupuncture therapies, revealed that acupuncture's efficacy is strongest for:
Additionally, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acupuncture is most effective for pain relief in cases of chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and tension headaches. Additionally, a review of 11 clinical trials found that acupuncture may also alleviate symptoms associated with cancer treatment, as noted by the NIH.
When meeting with your acupuncturist for the first time, they will discuss your condition with you before conducting a physical examination to identify areas of your body that might respond to acupuncture. The needles used in acupuncture are incredibly thin, sterile, and disposable, with your acupuncturist inserting them at different depths ranging from a fraction of an inch to several inches.
Acupuncture needles are less painful than medical needles used for vaccines or blood draws. This is because acupuncture needles are thinner and solid, not hollow. During the treatment, you may experience some muscle sensations like dull aches or tingling.
Your practitioner will ask you to report any deep heaviness or numbness, which are positive signs that the treatment is working. Depending on the condition you're treating and the supplemental treatments you're undergoing, like physical therapy, acupuncture needles will remain in place for several minutes or up to 30 minutes.
Once your first acupuncture treatment is finished, it's normal to feel extra relaxed and calm. For that reason, some patients like to arrange for a ride home after their first or second session. With that said, you shouldn't experience much pain at all, and it's quite possible for you to return to work after acupuncture.
This is another common question that we get at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness. The simple answer is, "It depends." While we understand that that's not a satisfying answer for some, it's important to understand that every patient is different. Everyone has different bodies and, by proxy, different bodily conditions and issues that need to be addressed.
During your initial consultation at our office, your licensed acupuncturist will go over your needs and goals as it relates to acupuncture therapy. Once your therapist has a good sense of the scope of your needs, they can give you a loose idea of how many sessions you'll need.
Generally speaking, most patients have appointments once a week. Others may require more or less frequent sessions. It's important to note that the full benefits of acupuncture may not be immediately evident after the first or even the second session. It's common for normal patients to undergo up to five treatments to realize the full benefits of acupuncture.
There's no question that acupuncture is more popular than ever as a non-invasive, non-addictive way to reclaim balance and well-being. But what types of conditions can this traditional therapy help alleviate in the modern world? Advances in acupuncture techniques and applications have resulted in some very promising benefits.
Did you know that regular acupuncture treatments can help reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis? In May 2017, a meta-analysis was published, which studied approximately 18,000 patients with chronic pain, such as low back, neck, and shoulder pain, knee OA, and headache or migraine. The analysis found that the benefits of acupuncture therapy in reducing pain lasted for more than 12 months.
That's wonderful news for athletes and other people who push their bodies daily to accomplish goals or bring home money for rent and bills. In fact, many medical experts consider acupuncture as a viable option for managing chronic pain in conjunction with traditional methods like physical therapy and chiropractic care. The idea behind this approach is that acupuncture may trigger the body's natural healing response to alleviate pain.
When a licensed acupuncturist in New Jersey inserts an acupuncture needle, it penetrates your fascia, a connective tissue that wraps around your organs and muscles. Like a slight tickle on your arm, your body realizes that something is happening and responds by delivering lymph fluid, blood, and other important nutrients to speed up healing in affected areas like your knees, back, neck, joints, and more.
If you're like other people who suffer from migraines, you know that once one of them hits, it can be next to impossible to function properly throughout the day. Fortunately, acupuncture in Freehold, NJ may be a viable solution if you have to endure migraines often.
A study conducted in 2009 by the Center for Complementary Medicine at the University of Munich analyzed 11 studies involving 2,137 patients who received acupuncture treatment for chronic tension-type headaches. The researchers concluded that acupuncture could be an effective non-pharmacological solution for frequent headaches.
The study compared the effects of acupuncture sessions with sham acupuncture and no treatment at all. Both groups that received acupuncture treatment, whether needles were placed randomly or strategically, reported a reduction in headache symptoms, while the control group reported no change. The group that received real acupuncture treatment also reported a decrease in the number of headache days and intensity of pain in a follow-up survey.
For individuals who struggle with insomnia and other sleep disturbances, acupuncture is a promising therapy. Although sedatives are commonly prescribed for insomnia, long-term use can lead to negative side effects such as dependence and excessive drowsiness.
A study conducted on 72 participants and published in Sleep Medicine in 2017 found that individuals who received acupuncture three times a week for four weeks experienced significant improvements in sleep quality and anxiety compared to those who received sham acupuncture.
Similarly, a review of 30 randomized, controlled trials found that acupuncture was more effective in improving sleep quality and daytime functioning than sham acupuncture.
While many patients choose acupuncture as a way to avoid surgery altogether, those who need surgery also use it for improved recovery. Because, at the end of the day, recovering from surgery is no easy feat. Patients may experience various symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain around the incision, restlessness, sleep troubles, constipation, and sore throat.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, healthcare providers may use acupuncture as a way to alleviate some of these symptoms and help with healing. A study published in Integrative Cancer Therapies in January 2017 involving 172 participants found that patients who received acupuncture after surgery reported significant improvements in sleep, anxiety, pain, fatigue, nausea, and drowsiness.
Did you know that supplementing physical therapy with acupuncture and vice versa can have profoundly beneficial effects for patients in New Jersey and across the country? If you're like most, chances are you didn't.
The truth is that acupuncture and physical therapy have both been proven effective in reducing pain and inflammation. While many people view them as separate methods, combining the two modalities can produce a synergistic effect that enhances pain relief and delivers long-lasting benefits to patients.
Physical therapists work with patients of all ages and abilities, from children to elderly adults, to help them overcome physical limitations and improve their quality of life. At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, our physical therapists help treat a wide range of conditions, from neck pain and spinal cord injuries to back pain and arthritis.
To effectively reduce pain and treat tissue injury, a combination of acupuncture and physical therapy can be very helpful. Acupuncture helps to reduce inflammation and release muscle tightness and trigger points, allowing the patient to better receive manual therapy or exercise-based physical therapy techniques. In doing so, acupuncture can actually create a window of time that allows your body to respond better to other treatments at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, such as physical therapy and chiropractic care.
There are many benefits of combining physical therapy with acupuncture in Freehold, NJ, including the following:
You may be wondering, "Are there any studies showing these benefits?" As it turns out, there are many. One such study, published on the NIH's website, was conducted on patients suffering from frozen shoulder.
Patients who received acupuncture experienced a significant reduction in pain, while those who underwent physical therapy saw an improvement in range of motion. However, the best outcome was observed in patients who received a combination of both treatments, with reduced pain, increased their range of motion, and improved quality of life. This study highlights the potential benefits of using acupuncture and physical therapy as complementary treatments for frozen shoulder.
It makes sense, then, that people from all walks of life are combining acupuncture with chiropractic treatments at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, including:
At New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, our doctors, practitioners, occupational therapists, and physical therapist specialize in a range of therapies and treatments. Much like physical therapy and acupuncture, combining chiropractic care with acupuncture therapy gives patients a new way to reclaim their mobility, reduce chronic pain, and maintain a healthy quality of life.
Chiropractic care and acupuncture in Freehold, NJ are natural healing practices that don't rely on drugs to improve the body's health. They focus on correcting imbalances in the body's structural and supportive systems, promoting natural healing, and ultimately leading to better health. These practices have a proven track record of helping patients improve their quality of life and overcome physical difficulties.
Integrating chiropractic and acupuncture as a dual-modality treatment offers the most efficient solution for removing blockages from the body, promoting balance, and accelerating healing. Rather than using these treatments sequentially, a combined approach allows for maximum benefits at one time.
Chiropractic targets subluxations in the nervous system through manual adjustments, facilitating the central nervous system to promote healing, while acupuncture removes blockages that may hinder the body's internal balance. Together, these treatments work synergistically to optimize energy flow and restore harmony in the body.
When our physical well-being becomes imbalanced, and our innate healing mechanisms are compromised, illnesses can manifest. The integration of acupuncture and chiropractic practices can effectively address a wide range of health conditions that they individually target, such as:
Curious if combining chiropractic care or physical therapy with acupuncture is right for your body? The best way to find out is to make an appointment at our sports rehab clinic in New Jersey. Once our team of medical professionals has a chance to evaluate your conditions, we can explore the best options to provide the most relief in the shortest amount of time possible.
New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness consists of a team of athletic trainers, chiropractors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other professionals. We're very proud and passionate about caring for our patients, many of whom are suffering from debilitating conditions like back and neck pain, plantar fasciitis, sports-related injuries, and more. If you're trying to get on the road to pain relief and recovery, acupuncture may be the non-surgical solution you need to reclaim your life. Contact our office today to learn whether this exciting treatment is right for you.
732-526-2497A family-owned nursery and garden center in Freehold Township is selling 128 acres of land to one of the largest homebuilding companies in the nation, paving the way for a sprawling subdivision and affordable housing development.The Brock Farms property at the intersection of M...
A family-owned nursery and garden center in Freehold Township is selling 128 acres of land to one of the largest homebuilding companies in the nation, paving the way for a sprawling subdivision and affordable housing development.
The Brock Farms property at the intersection of Monmouth Road and Siloam Road is slated to be purchased by Hovnanian Enterprises, according to a purchase agreement.
The open space will be turned into a subdivision called the Preserve at Freehold, with 128 single family rate market homes and 32 duplex affordable homes, according to planning documents and sources familiar with the agreement.
“The purchase agreement was entered into in the spring of 2022,” said Michael Weisslitz, division president at K. Hovnanian Northeast Division.
Weisslitz said the sale is pending and the company has yet to close on the property.
The agreement includes five lots on Block 91 in Freehold Township. Property records show the lots are owned by E. Brock Limited Partnership and E. Brock Limited, based in Colts Neck.
Ed Brock Jr., Linda Brock and Ed Brock Sr. are the longtime owners of Brock Farms Nursery and Garden Center, a Freehold-based, family-owned plant nursery and garden center with a second location in Colts Neck, according to the Brock Farms website.
Brock Farms’ Freehold location on Route 9 is at a separate location and is not part of the sale with Hovnanian Enterprises.
The owners did not respond to multiple requests to comment.
Hovnanian Enterprises designs, constructs and markets housing in 128 communities in 14 states, according to its website. The company’s homes are marketed and sold under the trade name K. Hovnanian Homes. It’s among the largest homebuilding firms in the country, with a total revenue of $2.92 billion in 2022, according to the company.
K. Hovnanian has housing developments throughout New Jersey, including projects in Asbury Park, Far Hills, Farmingdale, Howell, Manalapan, Morris Township, Wall and Wharton.
If approved, the Preserve at Freehold would be K. Hovnanian’s second housing development in Freehold in recent years. The company also built the Brooks at Freehold on Three Brooks Road, which features 51 single-family homes. The development began selling units in December 2023.
The proposed subdivision on Monmouth Road and Siloam Road would also help the township meet its obligation to provide affordable housing.
In 2020, Freehold adopted an ordinance to help meet its affordable housing obligations. Officials identified the Brock’s parcel at the corner of Route 537, otherwise known as Monmouth Road, and Siloam Road as one of the possible locations for affordable housing.
MORE: N.J. real estate forecast shows home prices still rising in most towns. See latest list.
The application for the Brock Farm subdivision is under review by the planning board, said Weisslitz, the division president of K. Hovnanian Northeast Division.
Hovnanian had not received a date to appear before the planning board as of last week, Weisslitz said.
The subdivision must also be approved by the Monmouth County Development Review Committee. It has the authority to review all major subdivisions in Monmouth County and site plans affecting county roads and drainage facilities or properties owned or maintained by the county.
Located in Monmouth County, Freehold Township is crisscrossed by several major highways, including Route 9 and Route 33. The township is home to the Freehold Raceway and the Freehold Raceway Mall, the state’s third-largest mall.
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Dick’s Sporting Goods is planning to relocate and enhance one of its New Jersey stores.The sporting goods retailer is looking to move and remodel its Freehold Raceway Mall store, according to...
Dick’s Sporting Goods is planning to relocate and enhance one of its New Jersey stores.
The sporting goods retailer is looking to move and remodel its Freehold Raceway Mall store, according to Asbury Park Press. The store is currently located at 650 Trotters Way.
Dick’s submitted a proposal to the Freehold Township Planning Board to open Dick’s House of Sport. The larger store will include batting cages, sports training equipment, an outdoor field, a climbing wall, golfing bays and a “House of Cleats” section.
This would be the first Dick’s House of Sport location in the Garden State. Dick’s currently operates 12 House of Sport locations and plans to open 75 to 100 House of Sport spots by 2027.
The new sporting goods emporium would occupy the building that formerly housed Lord & Taylor before it closed in 2020.
The two-story building encompasses 133,644 square feet of space at 3710 Route 9 in Freehold.
Freehold Township Planning Board is expected to vote on the matter Nov. 30.
Dick’s Sporting Goods originally opened at the Freehold Raceway Mall in 2004.
There are 21 Dick’s Sporting Goods stores in New Jersey and over 850 stores nationwide.
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The 150th anniversary Freehold Memorial Day Parade this year has a special T-shirt for sale, to raise funds and community spirit. Patch StaffFREEHOLD, NJ — It's a big year - the 150th - for the 2024 Freehold Memorial Day Parade.And in its first fundraising/community spirit initiative, the public can become part of the excitement with an official 150th anniversary parade T-shirt.Parade vice chairperson Amanda McCobb, whose mother Alice has chaired the Parade Committee for decades, said the shirts help provi...
Patch Staff
FREEHOLD, NJ — It's a big year - the 150th - for the 2024 Freehold Memorial Day Parade.
And in its first fundraising/community spirit initiative, the public can become part of the excitement with an official 150th anniversary parade T-shirt.
Parade vice chairperson Amanda McCobb, whose mother Alice has chaired the Parade Committee for decades, said the shirts help provide funds for the event and also bring the community together.
"We'd love to see everyone in the parade shirt," Amanda McCobb said.
The Freehold Memorial Day Parade site has an order form for the shirt, which costs $20.
"Honoring the Fallen for 150 Years" is the message on the shirt - from Decoration Day of 1874 to Memorial Day of 2024.
Alice McCobb has been a member of the committee for more than 40 years and will be chairing her 36th parade in May of 2024.
She was recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature in October 2022 for her dedication, as you can read in this past Patch article.
Freehold's Memorial Day Parade is one of the most elaborate parades in the state, and Alice McCobb has said it is one of the top 11 oldest parades in the nation, based on the committee's research.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, participation information and other upcoming fundraisers, go to http://www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com/.
Here is the order form:
Two-minute readAsbury Park PressFREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - School administrators are investigating a cybersecurity incident that forced the district's schools and offices to close on Monday, officials said.Assistant Superintendent Dianne Martello Brethauer, assistant superintendent for Freehold Township Schools s...
Asbury Park Press
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - School administrators are investigating a cybersecurity incident that forced the district's schools and offices to close on Monday, officials said.
Assistant Superintendent Dianne Martello Brethauer, assistant superintendent for Freehold Township Schools said on the social media platform X Sunday night that schools would be closed for the day due to "technical difficulties related to a cybersecurity event."
School board members had little information beyond what the district said. And they didn't yet know how long the district would be closed.
School closed:Freehold Township schools closed Monday because of 'cybersecurity event'
Michael Amoroso, president of the Freehold Township Board of Education, said Monday morning that he had little information beyond the school's statement and didn't yet know how long the school would be closed.
"There’s an ongoing investigation," Amoroso said. "We’ll certainly make an announcement about (Tuesday's schedule) when the time comes. There’s people working on it throughout the day.”
The school district serves students kindergarten through eighth grade in Freehold Township. It had nearly 3,500 students in the 2021-22 school year at five elementary schools, two middle schools and an early childhood learning center.
Cyberattackers try to gain access to information — bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers — that is kept on organizations' computer systems, essentially by trying to steal money from other accounts or by collecting a ransom.
They often gain access to the system by convincing users to click on a disguised link.
The attacks aren't uncommon. CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township about a year ago said it briefly diverted ambulances and alerted some 600,000 customers that their information might have been compromised because of a cyberattack.
CentraState cyberattack:Why are hospitals so vulnerable to hackers?
Educational and research institutions were the most targeted industry in 2022, with nearly 2,300 attacks each week, according to a report by Check Point, a technology company.
Another report by technology company Sophos found 80% of lower education providers had cyberattacks in 2023, up from 44% two years earlier. Nearly all of the schools regained their data in part because 73% reported they had backups. But 47% also said they paid a ransom.
Last March, the New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell said it had high confidence that educational institutions worldwide would be attractive targets for cyberattacks.
"Students are spending more time online than ever before, using technology to complete homework, communicate with peers, and engage with teachers and school staff," the agency said. "As we become more (dependent) on technology, cybercriminals are becoming more advanced and evolving their cyberattacks techniques, and they will continue to target universities and school districts as many of them do not have adequate resources, funding, or staffing to properly protect and defend their networks."
Analysts said the Freehold Township schools breach is a reminder for organizations to back up their data and train their staff to be aware of tactics used by cyberattackers.
"They don't just look at a school, they don't just look at an industry, they go across the board," said Bruno Tirone, president and chief executive officer of MRA International, a Long Branch-based cybersecurity company.
Michael L. Diamond is a business reporter at the Asbury Park Press who has been writing about the New Jersey economy and health care industry for more than 20 years. He can be reached at mdiamond@gannettnj.com.
FREEHOLD, NJ — The Borough Council on Monday approved some modifications to the paid parking management system in borough lots for a six-week "holiday" to address certain concerns of local businesses.The paid parking holiday includes the following changes, according to the borough:Borough Administrator Stephen Gallo explained ...
FREEHOLD, NJ — The Borough Council on Monday approved some modifications to the paid parking management system in borough lots for a six-week "holiday" to address certain concerns of local businesses.
The paid parking holiday includes the following changes, according to the borough:
Borough Administrator Stephen Gallo explained the resolution adjusting paid parking times to the Borough Council at its meeting on Monday. It was the only item on the agenda, and you can hear the full discussion here. The resolution expires April 1 unless extended by the borough.
Gallo said local businesses expressed concern about losing lunchtime business since the paid program went into effect in September, saying customer volume has decreased.
Gallo said this is also a good time to evaluate how the program is running and make adjustments as needed to any "glitches." This time of year also is a slower one for businesses, he added.
Mayor Kevin Kane said the borough knew the parking management system would be a "learning experience" going in, although it is committed to the program.
"It's a partnership with the downtown businesses - and we'll listen to them and we are not afraid to make the changes we need to make," Kane said.
The council voted unanimously to approve the holiday.
Gallo said if anyone is confused about if they have to pay, the meters will be locked during free periods and a message will come up saying "parking holiday; no payment due."
There will be a meeting with the parking management company and the borough and borough businesses to discuss the program further.
Funds raised by the parking management system will be "dedicated to repaving parking lots, continuing maintenance, line striping, way-finding signage, landscaping, litter control, snow removal, public safety and land acquisition for new parking opportunities so these costs do not have to be born by Freehold Borough residential and commercial property taxes," the borough says.
For more information call the Freehold Parking Utility at 732 462-4200, x234.
You can read a past Patch article on the introduction of the system here.
This is an updated article that corrects the name of the borough administrator.