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 Monmouth Beach, 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 Monmouth Beach, 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 Monmouth Beach, 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 Monmouth Beach, 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.
MONMOUTH BEACH — The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners recently congratulated County Administrator Teri O'Connor, a Monmouth Beach resident, for receiving the “County Administrator Lifetime Achievement Award” from the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) during their conference May 4.“Teri is the catalyst that helps move Monmouth County forward,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “The way she works w...
MONMOUTH BEACH — The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners recently congratulated County Administrator Teri O'Connor, a Monmouth Beach resident, for receiving the “County Administrator Lifetime Achievement Award” from the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) during their conference May 4.
“Teri is the catalyst that helps move Monmouth County forward,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “The way she works with not only the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and staff, but with other counties to provide County-level perspective is why she is so deserving of this award. On behalf of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, congratulations to Teri on this well deserved honor.”
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award and I may be up here by myself but this is a credit to the dedicated staff that I rely on day in and day out to make Monmouth County the great place it is,” said County Administrator O’Connor. “I stand here today because of my great County Commissioners, my senior staff and my family who have all been supportive and I want to thank NJAC for this incredible honor.”
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“Teri has worked tirelessly for the County of Monmouth throughout her career and it is an honor to work with her every day to make Monmouth County the best it can be,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Nick DiRocco, who serves as the Alternate member of the NJAC Board of Directors and formerly served as the Legislative Director for NJAC. “Congratulations to Teri for receiving the County Administrator Lifetime Achievement Award.”
“County Administrators are like the CEOs of the County and I really admire the work they put in to make their counties successful,” said John Donnadio, Executive Director of NJAC. “This award is unique because it is decided by the past recipients and I want to thank Teri for being a strong advocate for county governments.”
NJAC is committed to advocating for legislation, regulations, and policy directives that empower county governments to operate more effectively and efficiently. As a non-partisan organization that represents the only true regional form of government in the State with a unified and proactive voice, NJAC is committed to advancing innovative programs and initiatives that enhance the level of service provided and save valuable taxpayer dollars.
New Jersey is known for a lot of things — especially the Jersey Shore area and its residing beaches. Going to a New Jersey beach in the summer makes the perfect idea for a bucket list. However, when it comes to beaches, some of them require beach tags whether for a daily, weekly, or monthly fee. Don’t fret, because there are actually beaches in New Jersey that are completely free — from Union Beach to Wildwood Cre...
New Jersey is known for a lot of things — especially the Jersey Shore area and its residing beaches. Going to a New Jersey beach in the summer makes the perfect idea for a bucket list. However, when it comes to beaches, some of them require beach tags whether for a daily, weekly, or monthly fee. Don’t fret, because there are actually beaches in New Jersey that are completely free — from Union Beach to Wildwood Crest. Here’s our list of New Jersey beaches that have no admission fee.
The Atlantic City beaches are famous for a reason. The destination boasts casinos, restaurants, shopping, concerts, a fun boardwalk, and of course, expansive beaches. Beach and boardwalk activities include surfing, kayaking, fishing, and windsurfing.
This Lower Township beach in Cape May stretches from W. Miami Avenue to Lincoln Boulevard and offers free admission and also permits food. This space is peaceful and has a lot of wide open space.
This spot is located in Great Egg Harbor Bay in Upper Township. The waters are calm here, and this is a popular kayaking spot.
This state park is tranquil and quiet, and it has freshwater meadows, the Cape May Lighthouse, as well as a free beach. It’s a great spot to walk along the beach and spot some birds.
Established in 1969, the shoreland was preserved from development — resulting in a beautiful beach. The area is known for hiking, boating, interpretive tours, saltwater fishing, and crabbing. Locals also canoe and kayak.
This Stafford Township spot on Manahawkin Bay has a lifeguard from 10AM-5PM during the summer.
These scenic beaches overlook the skyline of lower Manhattan — plus, Keansburg is also home to a fun amusement park and water park to make it a full day of outdoor activities. Just be warned, beaches have no lifeguards.
These two Middletown Bay beaches are great spots for a chill afternoon. There aren’t restaurants or boardwalks in the area, so you’re not going to see the crowds that other beaches draw.
Great for surfing, fishing, and hiking, Strathmere Beach is a must-visit. The town is located in Upper Township in Cape May County, known for its grand Victorian houses.
Union Beach is in Monmouth County, and its salt marshes are an excellent place to see birds and go for walks along the bay shore.
A visit here is practically a rite of passage for Jersey natives. The Wildwood beaches span over five miles. The spacious sand areas make for a great space for beach sports like volleyball, frisbee throwing, soccer, and more. The boardwalk is one of the best in the state, boasting rides for adults and kids alike, restaurants, and bars, shopping, and more.
Founded in 1910, Wildwood Crest is a borough in Cape May County. Swimming, sailing, and sunsets are what visits experience at Wildwood Crest Beach. Locals like to jet ski, fish, and ride in sailboats. The atmosphere is peaceful and family-friendly.
This beach is located in Somers Point, sprawling between Higbee and New Jersey Avenues. It has lifeguards, restrooms, free parking, outdoor showers, a children’s playground, and a fishing pier.
Know of another New Jersey beach town that we missed? Email us at hello@themontclairgirl.com and we’ll add!
LONG BRANCH — A New Jersey beach that's considered to be one of the most vulnerable to storms is about to get the makeover it needs.Beach replenishment in the Elberon section of Long Branch is expected to begin in the new year and wrap up by March 1, officials announced on Tuesday.During a press conference along the beach, Joseph Seebode with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said dredges are expected to arrive in the area and begin pumping sand on or about Jan. 10. A third dredge may be used to ensure that the project is ...
LONG BRANCH — A New Jersey beach that's considered to be one of the most vulnerable to storms is about to get the makeover it needs.
Beach replenishment in the Elberon section of Long Branch is expected to begin in the new year and wrap up by March 1, officials announced on Tuesday.
During a press conference along the beach, Joseph Seebode with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said dredges are expected to arrive in the area and begin pumping sand on or about Jan. 10. A third dredge may be used to ensure that the project is completed by spring.
"Let's all hope for calm seas, no nor'easters, and good weather, so project delivery will be smooth," Seebode said.
The Army Corps plans to drop 1.2 million cubic yards of sand, starting at Lincoln Avenue and working north to Takanassee Lake at North Lake Drive.
"It's always cheaper to do beach replenishment than it is to wait for the storm to occur," said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J. 6th District.
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Pallone noted that while projects like these may temporarily make beaches wider, tourism is "not even a consideration" during the beach fill process.
New Jersey Coastal Alliance was on hand for the Tuesday event to declare its opposition to this and other beach replenishment projects.
"We have seen these Army Corps projects result in destruction of marine life, the appearance of sand cliffs as much as 15 feet high, and even life-threatening sinkholes," Kushner, of the Alliance, told New Jersey 101.5 in an emailed statement. "Little is actually protected but the beachfront mansions of the ultra-rich at the expense of hardworking taxpayers."
The federal government is picking up 65% of the project's tab, Pallone said. That funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed last year. The other 35% is split between New Jersey, Monmouth County, and Long Branch.
Depending on how long it takes for the Elberon project to be completed, the Army Corps may decide to continue beach replenishment into Monmouth Beach or the West End section of Long Branch.
"Projects like this help us to better prepare and protect our communities," said Shawn LaTourette, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
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LaTourette said New Jersey is ground zero for some of the worst impacts of climate change.
State officials and the Army Corps conduct surveys on an annual basis to determine which beaches are most at risk.
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MONMOUTH BEACH — In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Red Bank Catholic High School senior Madeleine Carpenter, a Monmouth Beach resident, has curated an Ecuadorian art exhibit to be featured at Frameworks Gallery, located at 135 Monmouth Street in Red Bank.The opening reception, open to the public, takes place Friday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit will run from Sept. 15 – Oct. 27 thanks to the support of Frameworks owner, Stephen McMillion.The idea...
MONMOUTH BEACH — In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Red Bank Catholic High School senior Madeleine Carpenter, a Monmouth Beach resident, has curated an Ecuadorian art exhibit to be featured at Frameworks Gallery, located at 135 Monmouth Street in Red Bank.
The opening reception, open to the public, takes place Friday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit will run from Sept. 15 – Oct. 27 thanks to the support of Frameworks owner, Stephen McMillion.
The idea of an exhibit came to Madeleine after a visit to Ecuador last summer. She grew up surrounded by her Ecuadorian grandmother’s art collection, often wondering what many of the pieces signified. In Ecuador, she was able to research and meet with several artists, and discovered what an incredible collection of pieces her grandmother has brought to New Jersey over the last 50-plus years.
“Growing up surrounded by these pieces in my grandma’s home, I never understood what they really were," Madeleine said. "They mostly just scared me or were in the background. However, going to Ecuador and speaking with these artists, I learned their significance. They are powerful expressions of a country’s historical oppression, geographic importance and a look into day-to-day life. For me personally, they were the same paintings on the walls of my mom’s childhood home. Learning about them helps me connect to my family’s heritage."
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The title of the exhibit “Con Ojos Propios” which translates to, “Through our Own Eyes” stemmed from an interview Carpenter did in July of 2022 with Pablo Cabrera, an important Ecuadorian artist and professor to a thriving young artist community. Cabrera expresses the importance of the country’s art community to break free from the tradition of following European influences, and encourages Ecuadorian artists to create their own aesthetic using their own perspective and experiences.
The exhibit will include various paintings, sculptures, ceramics and tapestries, most of which are from Madeleine’s grandmother’s personal collection. Madeleine’s grandmother, Berthalina Vincent Moore, who migrated to the United States in the 1960’s has amassed a collection of pieces from some of Ecuador’s most prestigious artists, including, Oswaldo Guayasamin, Eduardo Kingman, Gonzalo Crow, Jose Unda and Pablo Cabrera. Additionally, Carpenter invited several young, up and coming artists to display some of their pieces, to showcase the next generation of talent in Ecuador. Select pieces will be available for sale. Artists such as Cristian Mera, Pamela Corrales and Luis Alvear, who painted the title piece for the exhibit, were excited for the opportunity. “While I have a very diverse group of friends, no one I grew up with was Ecuadorian," Madeleine said. "I wanted to curate this exhibit to show my friends and the community the richness of the beautiful pieces that I grew up with. I see no better way to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month than by showcasing the work of these amazing artists. I am inviting Spanish classes from my school to visit the exhibit and hope other schools will take advantage of this opportunity for students to learn from this important historical treasure.”
Teachers are encouraged to reach out for a guided tour of the exhibit for their students during school hours by emailing maddiemcarpenter@gmail.com.
No R.S.V.P is necessary for the opening reception. Ecuadorian food and drinks will be served at the reception, compliments of FUZE eatery in Eatontown.
National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 and celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
It's been a roller coaster of a winter season so far from single digit temperatures Christmas weekend to highs in the 50's and 60's to open up 2023, and curious as that may be, comes some concern for how the temps and weather conditions are impacting our Jersey Shore beaches.Tom Herrington, Associate Director at Monmouth University's Urban Coast Institute, explains that there are a few areas of concern across Ocean and Monmouth County after so...
It's been a roller coaster of a winter season so far from single digit temperatures Christmas weekend to highs in the 50's and 60's to open up 2023, and curious as that may be, comes some concern for how the temps and weather conditions are impacting our Jersey Shore beaches.
Tom Herrington, Associate Director at Monmouth University's Urban Coast Institute, explains that there are a few areas of concern across Ocean and Monmouth County after some big waves in the fall have caused some shorter looking beaches.
"The beaches, particularly in Monmouth and Ocean County, are what we would consider in their winter state, they're narrower, lower because of larger storm waves that occur in the fall," Herrington said. "In particular, we have a couple of hotspot areas that we're concerned about, in terms of erosion, Ortley Beach in particular in (Toms River) Ocean County, Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach and a little bit of the Elberon section of Long Branch are more eroded than usual, but, they're kind of our hotspots, when we get a coastal storm like we had in October, we tend to see those areas erode quicker than the surrounding areas."
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Dr. Stan Hales, Director of the Barnegat Bay Partnership, explains that following a mild winter last year that still produced 8-10 weather events resulting in significant erosion, has since led to some concern for this winter with what the water could do in storms both large and small.
"I won't say the worst is yet to come, it's hard to say with the changing weather, but we do know that sea level continues to rise and with a rise in sea level over time, it takes fewer extreme events to create the level of erosion that we've seen in the past," Hales said. "We have higher water more regularly now and that does contribute to additional erosion events."
The erosion to beaches across the Jersey Shore is one of the more utmost concerns facing the local environment right now even with the protection of sand dunes.
"There's a lot of sand in the system, the dunes are pretty strong in many, many areas, so, it's just being able to weather a series of storms for instance that may come back-to-back so that you have that protection throughout the entire winter season," Herrington said. "What would concern me now is the kind of weather pattern we're entering into where we have these very strong storm systems coming in from the west coast and eventually those storm systems reach the east coast and, in some cases, can redevelop into significant coastal storms."
It's really what types of storms and how many of them come through the Jersey Shore this winter, Herrington explains, and hopefully by the spring things will be in good shape.
"Once we get through April into May, then the beaches start to naturally recover as we begin to enter the summer season," Herrington said.
The weather in the winter, especially when it gets warm, can not only bring surging storms, sea level rise, and beach erosion to communities across Monmouth and Ocean County, but, to plants and marine life.
"We live in the temperate zone and one of the things that the temperate zone is characterized by is greater annual change," Hales said. "We have winters almost as cold as they have at the poles (north and south), we have summer heat waves that are almost as warm as those seen in the tropics, so, we have tremendous seasonal variations, we have a greater range of temperatures and weather variations than you see in some other places where it's always colder or generally warmer."
As a result, Dr. Hales explains that these weather variations are what bring certain animals to the Jersey Shore.
"Winter and summer events affect the distribution and interactions of animals," Hales said. "We're seeing more southern species in New Jersey, for example, we're seeing southern pine beetle in the Pine Barrens, and it doesn't have very low temperature tolerance, but, with warmer winters, we're seeing the beetles spread through the pine barrens and cause extensive to the forests."
Dr. Hales explains that mild weather aids some things more than others as does the typical winter weather, and, if things keep changing between those two extremes, things are at risk.