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 Green Brook, 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 Green Brook, 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 Green Brook, 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 Green Brook, 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.
By Jake NemcekGREEN BROOK, NJ -- Green Brook Recreation Summer 2023 CONCERTS IN THE PARK at Arthur Lewis Park continue with: THE FLOODFRIDAY Aug. 18 7:00 PM Homegrown! 70's to Today's Rock Outback will be on hand with food and drinks for purchase. Don't forget to bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks!Read More Arts & Entertainment...
By Jake Nemcek
GREEN BROOK, NJ -- Green Brook Recreation Summer 2023 CONCERTS IN THE PARK at Arthur Lewis Park continue with: THE FLOOD
FRIDAY Aug. 18 7:00 PM Homegrown! 70's to Today's Rock Outback will be on hand with food and drinks for purchase. Don't forget to bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks!
Read More Arts & Entertainment
SOMERVILLE, NJ - Somerset County will observe the annual Veterans Day ceremony at ...
By Jake NemcekPublishedJuly 4, 2023 at 3:50 PMGREEN BROOK/ NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ -- Fourth of July afternoon storms caused flash flooding in the area with multiple vehicles in water on Route 22 and a partial building collapse. The roof collapsed at the Gulf station at Rock Avenue and Route 22. Avoid the area.Recent Articles Nearby...
By Jake Nemcek
PublishedJuly 4, 2023 at 3:50 PM
GREEN BROOK/ NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ -- Fourth of July afternoon storms caused flash flooding in the area with multiple vehicles in water on Route 22 and a partial building collapse. The roof collapsed at the Gulf station at Rock Avenue and Route 22. Avoid the area.
SOMERVILLE, NJ - Somerset County will observe the annual Veterans Day ceremony at ...
BOUND BROOK – Construction will soon begin on the latest apartment building going up downtown.A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for The Rail at Bound Brook, a 143-unit building on Hamilton Street at the site of the former strip mall that once housed a convenience store and later, the Salvation Army.Construction is estimated to be completed in the third quarter of 2024.The building, which will abut the Brook Art Center and is a block away from the train station, is being developed by ...
BOUND BROOK – Construction will soon begin on the latest apartment building going up downtown.
A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for The Rail at Bound Brook, a 143-unit building on Hamilton Street at the site of the former strip mall that once housed a convenience store and later, the Salvation Army.
Construction is estimated to be completed in the third quarter of 2024.
The building, which will abut the Brook Art Center and is a block away from the train station, is being developed by Denholtz Properties, a Red Bank real estate development and investment company, and Redwood Real Estate Group, a fourth-generation privately held real estate investment company.
“We are excited to celebrate the first steps in writing the next chapter in Bound Brook’s impressive turnaround story,” Steven Denholtz, CEO of Denholtz Properties, said in a statement. “The Rail at Bound Brook’s unmatched location, meticulous design and impressive amenity package will set a new standard for luxury living in Bound Brook. We are confident that this investment will further embody our commitment to contributing to the revitalization of the neighborhoods we serve and help welcome new residents to experience all that Bound Brook and Somerset County have to offer.”
Denholtz Properties, which also owns the Bridgewater Business Park on Chimney Rock Road in Bridgewater, developed the Rail at Red Bank Station, a 57-unit apartment community a block from the train station in that Monmouth County community.
The Rail at Bound Brook will include a mix of studios, one-bedrooms, one-bedrooms plus dens, and two-bedrooms with extra-work-from-home space and outdoor balconies and terraces in select units. In addition, the six-story building will have amenities including a courtyard with outdoor grills and seating, an indoor fitness and yoga studio, a game room and bike storage.
The apartment building will be at the northern end of the proposed block-long pedestrian plaza on Hamilton Street between Main and Second streets that borough officials have seen as a major key to the continuing revitalization of downtown.
Real estate:Here are the latest home sales in the Central Jersey market
The borough received a $1 million federal grant administered by the New Jersey Department of Transportation in partnership with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority to undertake the pedestrian plaza project.
Bound Brook is looking at the success that Somerville experienced transforming a block of Division Street from Main Street toward the train station into a pedestrian plaza.
The developers also will renovate the two-story Morecraft Building that separates the apartment building from the entrance to the Brook Arts Center.
In addition, the developers have agreed to improve the exterior of the three multifamily residences on the east side Hamilton Street north of the apartment building. The multifamily building next to the apartments served as Bound Brook's borough hall until the new facility was built two blocks away in the late 1980s.
Assigned parking spaces, with seven spaces for electric vehicles, will be on the ground floor with the apartments above. There also will be 44 spaces in a lot behind the theatre.
The developer also has agreed to lease 75 parking spaces from the borough in the commuter lot on Main Street at a cost of $105 per space per month for eight years. The developer also will set aside $480,000 for future parking needs in the borough.
There will be 650 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.
Minno & Wasko, of Lambertville, is the project architect.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account.
This post is sponsored and contributed by Thumbtack, a Patch Brand Partner.Seasonal & HolidaysTaking care of your home can be scary! Tackle those household demons with professional help this fall.The arrival of fall not only marks a change in season, but also reminds us of spine-chilling spider webs, ghoulish decor, and the thrill of Halloween. While many of us like our homes to be festively scary this time of ye...
This post is sponsored and contributed by Thumbtack, a Patch Brand Partner.
The arrival of fall not only marks a change in season, but also reminds us of spine-chilling spider webs, ghoulish decor, and the thrill of Halloween. While many of us like our homes to be festively scary this time of year, we certainly don’t want it to give our neighbors the creeps year-round. Fortunately, Thumbtack, a home services app used by millions, has Watchung-Green Brook residents covered.
Burst water pipes, the dryer that shakes, and creaks in the floorboards are household woes that can turn up the scary factor in your home. But with a reliable partner like Thumbtack, these house horrors can be handled — no exorcist required!
Thumbtack connects homeowners with local professionals who can fix malfunctioning appliances, tame unruly landscaping, and repair structural troubles that haunt your everyday life. Whether you're looking for a one-time home improvement project or regular lawn maintenance services, Thumbtack makes it simple to search for and hire a professional who caters to your specific needs.
The Watchung-Green Brook community has plenty of pros ready to handle the horror and help with:
You can contact pros and request free cost estimates, allowing you to compare prices and choose the professional that best fits your budget. You can also read reviews, view how many times a business has been hired by others, and identify how long a business has been open.
Remember: It may be Halloween, but that doesn’t mean your home has to be scary! With regular, proactive maintenance, Thumbtack can help you continuously care for your home so it’s in perfect shape all year long.
This post is sponsored and contributed by Thumbtack, a Patch Brand Partner.
CALDWELLS, NJ — A developer’s plan to turn a 100-year-old golf course in North Caldwell into a housing complex is moving forward – but there are some big changes that may reduce its footprint and impact on borough resources, officials say.North Caldwell Mayor Joshua Raymond recently gave an update on the plans for the Green Brook Country Club on West Greenbrook Road, which was founded in 1923.Raymond offered a brief summar...
CALDWELLS, NJ — A developer’s plan to turn a 100-year-old golf course in North Caldwell into a housing complex is moving forward – but there are some big changes that may reduce its footprint and impact on borough resources, officials say.
North Caldwell Mayor Joshua Raymond recently gave an update on the plans for the Green Brook Country Club on West Greenbrook Road, which was founded in 1923.
Raymond offered a brief summary of the situation in a letter to the community:
“In 2018, the members of Green Brook Country Club (GBCC) elected to sell their property to a real estate developer. Shortly after the sale, the borough's prior administration entered into a settlement agreement which authorized the development of the GBCC. As a result of the borough's previous approval of the development (over five years ago) and a prior vote (in July 2020) to authorize residential zoning at this site, the GBCC can, and will, be developed by its owners.”
“Please know that I and the council would like nothing more than for GBCC to remain a golf course and an open green space,” Raymond continued. “However, the developer has informed us that it has every intention of proceeding under their legally binding settlement agreement to develop the site.”
According to Raymond, the developer – Green Brook Realty Associates LLC – has operated the GBCC “in good faith” for far longer than it was contractually obligated.
“The developer purchased the land with the intention to develop it, and it is their legal right to do so,” Raymond said.
The last year the club will be in operation as a golf course will likely be 2024, he added.
THE NEW PLAN
Raymond said he and other town administrators have been trying to improve the settlement agreement that they inherited from the previous administration.
After seven months of negotiations with Green Brook Realty Associates, a revised agreement has been hammered out that will “drastically limit” the impact of the new development, which will mostly be open to people over the age of 55 and up.
The new proposal includes:
The impact to the local school system would be reduced from 124 units with potential school-aged children to 25 such units, according to municipal data.
In addition, the development would bring in an estimated $5.57 million in tax revenue to the borough with the new plan, as compared to $4.69 million in the 2018 agreement. The taxes generated by the current golf course come to $188,395.
“This revised agreement represents a victory for the borough and a greatly improved future,” Raymond said.
“While we cannot undo the sale, the borough has negotiated a far better outcome than that which was signed in 2018,” the mayor opined. “Additionally, my administration continues to focus on preparing the borough for the physical impact of the GBCC development and doing whatever it can to mitigate disruption to residents' daily lives.”
See the memorandum of understanding between the borough and GBCC here.
See architectural renderings of the proposed development and housing here.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
In his letter, Raymond emphasized that there’s also another reason to support the project: affordable housing.
North Caldwell signed an agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center in 2018 in order to settle litigation forcing the borough to provide more affordable housing. The GBCC development will allow the town to meet this affordable housing requirement under the Mount Laurel doctrine, the mayor said.
“It is very important to note that the existing settlement agreement with the GBCC and Fair Share Housing protects the borough and satisfies our affordable housing obligations,” Raymond said.
“If development of these affordable housing units is not completed, then there is a risk that a builder's remedy lawsuit could be brought against the borough,” the mayor continued. “This type of lawsuit could result in significantly increased development being enforced by a court order in an uncontrolled manner and in uncontrolled locations.”
CRITICISM
Not all North Caldwell residents are on board with the plan to develop the Green Brook Country Club, however. Nearly 900 people have signed an online campaign against the proposal titled: “Save North Caldwell - A petition to halt the building of houses on the Green Brook property.”
The petition reads:
“Green Brook Country Club is an essential property in North Caldwell. As you know, many residents enjoy the country club for open space and recreation. The whole community enjoys the country club for the intrinsic value that North Caldwell receives by being a ‘country club’ community. The development of Greenbrook is NOT just an issue for golfers – it impacts everyone. It would mean higher taxes, busier schools, a loss of green space, and a more crowded community.”
The petition continues:
“The undersigned residents of North Caldwell sign this petition to oppose any construction which would eliminate the 18-hole golf course at Green Brook country club. First, we ask the mayor and council to use every effort to prevent any development at Green Brook Country Club that would jeopardize the 18-hole golf course. And, we ask the town to preserve the 12 acres of buildable land that was given to North Caldwell in the Superior Court settlement.”
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