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 Middlesex, 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 Middlesex, 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 Middlesex, 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 Middlesex, 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.
MIDDLESEX, N.J. -- We first told you earlier this week about a number of homes in Middlesex County on the brink of falling into a creek behind them.Residents and local lawmakers tell CBS New York a federal project is causing erosion but that residents' pleas for help have been ignored.CBS New York's Christine Sloan reached out to state and federal la...
MIDDLESEX, N.J. -- We first told you earlier this week about a number of homes in Middlesex County on the brink of falling into a creek behind them.
Residents and local lawmakers tell CBS New York a federal project is causing erosion but that residents' pleas for help have been ignored.
CBS New York's Christine Sloan reached out to state and federal lawmakers to see what they can do to help these homeowners.
"The whole thing just sank like a sinkhole," Middlesex resident Al Platten said.
At least two homes on Heather Lane in Middlesex Borough are on the verge of becoming part of the Green Brook behind their properties. One of the homes has been condemned since 2022.
Neighbors on the street with a half a dozen houses say they're scared because the land's been sinking since Hurricane Ida.
"Every time it rains, you watch," Middlesex resident Sharon Doll said.
Homeowners say it could be devastating if the two homes collapse.
"Any damage as a result of this house getting condemned or falling or construction, I mean, it's already cracked," Platten said.
The erosion is evidenced by a pipe, which used to be underground, sticking out of the ground.
One neighbor says he's lost 35 feet of land behind his home.
"I want them to fix it," Platten said.
The Army Corps of Engineers built a wall a decade ago, but residents say their problems began when a pump station was added two years ago to reduce flooding in nearby Bound Brook.
"The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible," Platten said.
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman has spoken to the Army Corps of Engineers and disputes that.
"This has not been impacted by the pumping stations or the work that the Army Corps of Engineers has done," Watson Coleman said. "The houses were built before there was a requirement that they could only be 150 feet close to a creek. They were within 25 feet."
But Watson Coleman calls this serious, saying she'll get urgent help and talk to the governor to see if the state can fund a new project to fix the problem.
"The Army Corps of Engineers would come in and assess it, and then there would be a determination as to what it costs and should it be done," Watson Coleman said.
New Jersey State Sen. Jon Bramnick is unwilling let the Army Corps of Engineers off the hook.
"We can get the funds, but this is an engineering ongoing situation that was created and caused, allegedly, by the Army Corps of Engineers," he said.
The Army Corps of Engineers has not returned our call.
Middlesex's mayor wants a retaining wall along the homes.
The congresswoman, meanwhile, says money for the original wall can't be used for a new project. She wants homeowners to call her district for any new funding.
Christine Sloan is an Emmy Award-winning reporter, who covers New Jersey for CBS 2 New York. Sloan re-joined the station in January 2023. She also worked at CBS 2 New York from 2004 to 2016.
Weather conditions permitting, the Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission will be conducting mosquito control treatment (spraying via trucks) to control and reduce mosquitoes that can spread viruses (like West Nile Virus) and/or minimize nuisance mosquitoes to tolerable levels, in the following area.Check here to see if you are located in the: Mosquito Spray Zone/Ma...
Weather conditions permitting, the Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission will be conducting mosquito control treatment (spraying via trucks) to control and reduce mosquitoes that can spread viruses (like West Nile Virus) and/or minimize nuisance mosquitoes to tolerable levels, in the following area.
Check here to see if you are located in the: Mosquito Spray Zone/Map.
For information about UltraLow Volume spryaing of approved insecticides using truck mounted sprayers, please review the CDC Website: What You Need to Know About Truck Spraying.
For current information on all spray applications in Middlesex County, please review the Commission's Mosquito Spray Schedule.
For the complete Public Spray Notice, please click here.
What can residents do to reduce exposure?Please note, neither the USEPA nor the CDC requires relocating or taking special precautions during spraying. However, any possible exposure risk can be reduced by following some sensible actions: (1) Pay attention to notices about mosquito spraying found through newspapers, websites, automated telephone messages or notices distributed by municipal, county or state agencies. (2) Stay indoors during spraying with doors/windows closed and with air conditioners turned off to outside air. The EPA recommends that people remain indoors for at least one-hour after mosquito spraying to allow the spray to settle and dissipate. (3) Plan your activities to limit time spent outside during spray operations. Cover outside items like furniture and grills before the spraying takes place. Bring pets and items like pet food dishes and children’s toys indoors. Rinse any uncovered items left outside during spraying. (4) Consult your doctor or local Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222, if you think you have a reaction to the insecticide spray.
You are receiving this notice because you have indicated in the past that you would like to be notified by e-mail regarding any mosquito control spray operations in and around your area (or within 3 miles of your address if a beekeeper). If for any reason, you no longer wish to receive these notifications, you may respond to this e-mail requesting so.
Sincerely,Superintendent (NJDEP CPA License #50245B)Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission200 Parsonage RoadEdison, NJ 08837Phone: (732) 549-0665
Approaching the ending of our summer plans and activities, it seems that there were more things that we wanted to accomplish. Even with the best laid plans, this epilogue becomes the very reprise of each passing summer.How do we break this persistent cycle? Do we attempt to plan more efficiently or leave off some of these items from our bucket list? I have always tried to live by the old adage; “if you fail to plan then you will plan to fail”.This conundrum seems to pervade both outside as well as inside of Borough ...
Approaching the ending of our summer plans and activities, it seems that there were more things that we wanted to accomplish. Even with the best laid plans, this epilogue becomes the very reprise of each passing summer.
How do we break this persistent cycle? Do we attempt to plan more efficiently or leave off some of these items from our bucket list? I have always tried to live by the old adage; “if you fail to plan then you will plan to fail”.
This conundrum seems to pervade both outside as well as inside of Borough Hall. In other words, some positive and some not-so-positive events do occur every year. The similarities are striking.
For instance, although years in the making, our streetscape, along Bound Brook Road, plan is finally coming to fruition.
On the flip side, we have spent many hours in conversation, meetings and emails attempting to resolve the erosion problem with the folks on Heather Lane. I call this an urgent environmental emergency (one of two lingering in the Borough). The agencies that initially offered to help were FEMA, Army Corp, Green Brook Flood Control Commission, DEP, State OEM and the list goes on. One by one they all bowed out. I have called Senator Bramnick to come out and take the tour. He was quite surprised to see the damage. Next, I called Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman to also come out to see the problem. Hopefully she will visit soon.
I urge residents to contact your representatives to remedy this issue as one house has already been condemned and if nothing is done, the domino effect will claim the other homes. I believe that federal funds can be available in this case. Unfortunately, the Borough cannot get involved with private property.
On a positive note, we have recently purchased the Foreign Express property at 302 Union Ave. The vision is that this will be a nice addition to enhance the Victor Crowell Park entrance, including parking and rest rooms.
On the flip side, we are still facing the ecological and environmental damage of our historic Creighton Lake, which occurred when on August 1, 2021, a major N.J. American Water main burst, bringing to our lake much debris and chemical discharge causing a massive fish kill and extremely high E. Coli contamination (in my opinion). One month later we were hit with storm Ida, further exacerbating the damage. This is now a “swirling vortex of entropy). N.J. American Water has absolved all responsibility for the damage. Again, Senator Bramnick took the tour to view the ongoing problems with our lake.
The road to success in these two problem areas, in my opinion, is to scour every possible related resource and inundate them with persistence until resolved.
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston S. Churchill, former Prime Minister.
Mayor John L. Madden
In honor of 9/11 and the upcoming remembrance ceremony at the park, Victor the Rock Snake is asking everyone to paint patriotic rocks. Please hold on to your rocks for when the park is re-opened.T-shirts are available for purchase! Proceeds support the Plainfield Area Humane Society. Purchase Online Now Mid-week Update August 29Many friends stopped by for Vic...
In honor of 9/11 and the upcoming remembrance ceremony at the park, Victor the Rock Snake is asking everyone to paint patriotic rocks. Please hold on to your rocks for when the park is re-opened.
T-shirts are available for purchase! Proceeds support the Plainfield Area Humane Society.
Many friends stopped by for Victor photos – including Rocky!
Victor continues to wind his way around the grassy area past the 3rd lamp post!
We met several friends who stopped by for a picture! Thank you to our Middlesex Borough BOE, who stopped by and added their rocks with a Back to School theme!
Check out our Rock Photo Gallery, graciously created by our own, Rob Morris. Thank you, Rob! Photos are free to download. If you can't get to the park, you can always view them here. We believe there are over 600 rocks!
Our t-shirt fundraiser is over, but we DO have extra t-shirts for anyone who missed out! Drop a comment in the Facebook post if you’re interested.
Enjoy and paint a rock!
See Rob Morris’s Smugmug Gallery Here
08/26
08/26
Victor, week #7 (Aug-12th)
7/30 a Victor segment
Week of 7/16... Where Victor Begins
7/16 - Almost to the Boat House
Victor, week of 7/8
Happy 4th!
Wednesday, 6/28
Tuesday 6/27
Sunday 6/25: Victor is somebody
Victor gets ahead
Victor is ready to lead
Victor the Rock Snake will remain in Victor Crowell Park until September 23rd! Feel free to continue to contribute. We’re currently brainstorming ways to preserve Victor. We originally asked everyone to collect their rocks at the end of the project. We have some time to come up with ideas. Also, if we’re going to have bad weather where the park may flood, we’ll ask everyone to come get their rocks.
The kids’ group picture will be this Saturday, August 26th, between Noon and 1:00pm. Please let us know if you’ll be attending by commenting on Facebook here.
The 9/11 Remembrance will soon be upon us. We thought it would be nice to add some patriotic rocks to Victor for the occasion.
Enjoy and paint a rock!
Victor the Rock Snake is officially past the 3rd lamp post and growing!
Although we said we'd be ending the project next Saturday, August 26th, there has been a lot of interest in letting Victor stay for a little while longer. Our intrepid volunteer project leader is working on making that happen and we will make an announcement soon.
We'd still like to get a group photo of the kids that added rocks to Victor on August 26th, maybe between noon/1:00pm. As always, you can follow Victor's progress here. Enjoy and paint a rock!
August 12, 2023| Victor continues to grow – we made it to the 3rd lamp post! Look for the yellow tshirt at Victor's tail in the photo here.
We have approximately 2 weeks left of this project. We may be doing a rock take-back day on Saturday, August 26th. If you're available, we'd like to get a group photo of the kids that added rocks to Victor.
ONLY 1-week remaining to purchase a Victor the Rock Snake tshirt! We need to make it to 15 shirts for them to be printed. Please help us make our goal! Don't forget to support Victor's fundraiser to help his fellow animals. Proceeds to support the Plainfield Area Humane Society. You can buy a shirt or make a donation, or both! Enjoy and paint a rock!
Victor continues to grow! The end of his tail is approximately 10 feet from the 3rd lamp post! We have approximately 3 weeks left to see if we can make it to the boat house.
Don't forget to support Victor's fundraiser to help his fellow animals! Proceeds to support the Plainfield Area Humane Society! You can buy a shirt or make a donation, or both! Visit our CustomInk fundraising page here.
August 1, 2023 | And now we are a fundraiser! Victor the Rock Snake would like to help his fellow animals by supporting the Plainfield Area Humane Society! Buy a tshirt to help Victor! Our community has risen to the occasion in helping Victor grow, so Victor would like to give back to his fellow animals with this fundraiser.
Visit our Fundraising page on CustomInk to purchase your “I ROCKED MIDDLESEX” tshirt !
July 30, 2023 | Victor continues to grow! We're getting closer to the 3rd lamp post and the boat house! Great job, Middlesex! You Rock! You can see how long Victor is in our photo gallery below, with one of Victor's helpers standing at the end of the snake. There's also a very special message on one of the rocks.
There is another month left of Summer, so let's see how much more we can get Victor to grow!
July 16, 2023 | Victor is really moving aLONG!! He is 100 feet long (thank you, DPW!) and is made up of over 300 rocks! We are now past the second lamp post and we can see the boat house!
Also, photographer, Robert Morris did an album for us (thank you, Robert!). Visit the smugmug gallery to enjoy the rock-artwork up close! All files in the Smugmug Gallery are unlocked and can be downloaded at no cost. https://robert-morris.smugmug.com/MiddlesexRocks2023/
…here at www.middlesexboro-nj.gov/latest-news/rock-snake-2023, on the Borough Facebook page facebook.com/middlesexboroughnj, and now at the SmugMug Gallery page, too!
We’re creating a “rock snake” along the walkway in Victor Crowell Park and we’ll need your help. Add your painted rock to “Victor” the rock snake. Let’s see how long Victor can grow by the end of the summer!
Look for Victor just past the gate and past the picnic tables. You’ll find our sign – and Victor's head!
September 6, 2023
A group of homeowners in New Jersey are experiencing a nightmare firsthand: homes are being condemned because they're at risk of falling into a creek.One house, specifically, in the Borough of Middlesex has been condemned. The mayor on Wednesday acknowledged it's only a matter of time before it gives way and the homes goes down."It's a dire emergency, we have to do something," Mayor John Madden said.One man put it simply -- they're paying property taxes on properties that essentially don't exist anymore....
A group of homeowners in New Jersey are experiencing a nightmare firsthand: homes are being condemned because they're at risk of falling into a creek.
One house, specifically, in the Borough of Middlesex has been condemned. The mayor on Wednesday acknowledged it's only a matter of time before it gives way and the homes goes down.
"It's a dire emergency, we have to do something," Mayor John Madden said.
One man put it simply -- they're paying property taxes on properties that essentially don't exist anymore.
The mayor's not the only one hitting the panic button in Middlesex. Families in this quiet cul de sac are too, as backyards are quite literally shrinking, crumbling and falling down the side of a cliff into the creek below.
"There are numerous people in this town that are furious," neighbor Ken Beck said.
The home along Heather Lane next to Beck's has already been condemned; the backyard is practically non-existent.
"I've lost over 35 feet of my backyard also," Beck said.
Neighbors say the issue started getting bad about two years ago, around the time of Hurricane Ida. Many in the tri-state are still recovering from the remnants from that storm.
Some believe a nearby pumping station has only made things worse as the rushing waters claws away at the earth beneath.
"It wasn't even a slow erosion, it was a few feet a week or every major storm. It just fell, like a complete collapse," neighbor Al Platten said. "You woke up one day and 30 feet of your property is gone."
The mayor says he's appealed to various government agencies for help, but nothing is getting done.
"This is critical. This house, the family room is gonna to be lost probably in another 2-3 heavy rains. And then the structure will be very unsafe, it'll have to be torn down," Mayor Madden said.
In a statement, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who oversees the district, says her office "is aware of the erosion along Heather Lane and has been in touch with the Mayor, the Governors team and both Senators Bramnick and Scutari to see if there are resources available to dedicate to this matter. This is a multifaceted issue that needs all levels of government working together from the local to the state to the federal."
While neighbors remain hopeful a solution can be found soon, they say for now, it's too little, too late.
"I don't think I can sell my house, period. I have to disclose this house is condemned," Beck said.
"I'm worried about the entire neighborhood, we have good people here, they're turning for help and no one is helping them," Platten said.