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 Parlin, 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 Parlin, 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 Parlin, 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 Parlin, 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.
SAYREVILLE, NJ – Parents of all eligible Sayreville preschool and kindergarten students will be invited to visit Sayreville School District's website on Monday, Jan. 27, in order to register their child(ren) for the 2025-26 free Full-Day Project Before Preschool and Kindergarten Programs via the district's online registration software, Oncourse Connect. Eligible students must be three years old for preschool and five years old for kindergarten on or before Sept. 30, 2025.The link to student registration will be clearly identifie...
SAYREVILLE, NJ – Parents of all eligible Sayreville preschool and kindergarten students will be invited to visit Sayreville School District's website on Monday, Jan. 27, in order to register their child(ren) for the 2025-26 free Full-Day Project Before Preschool and Kindergarten Programs via the district's online registration software, Oncourse Connect. Eligible students must be three years old for preschool and five years old for kindergarten on or before Sept. 30, 2025.
The link to student registration will be clearly identified on the district website homepage (www.sayrevillek12.net) as “Student Registration.” Once on this registration page, parents can obtain pertinent information regarding the registration of all students including preschool and kindergarten students, and can begin completing the online registration application by clicking on one of the following links noted in the 2025-2025 Project Before and Kindergarten drop down menu: New Student Registration Linkor Returning Student Registration.
After completing and submitting your application, a representative from the district Registration Office will contact and schedule an appointment with you in order to verify your residence and the age of your child, as well as to collect all the required documents and information listed below. Soon after that, a representative from Project Before (for preschool) or the projected school that your child will attend kindergarten in will contact you in order to schedule a time for you to meet so that the school can verify your paperwork.
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For a child to be considered registered, the following completed documents, written or translated into English, must be submitted:
Please note that if you are registering your child for kindergarten, and they are not currently in the Project Before preschool program, you will eventually need to bring them in for a brief kindergarten screening.
TAPinto Raritan Bay is a free online newspaper serving Sayreville, South Amboy, and other communities along the Raritan Bay in Middlesex County, NJ. Like our Facebook page, visit www.tapinto.net/towns/raritan-bay, and sign up for the daily eNewsletter to get the latest hyperlocal news.
The Sayreville Board of Education has suspended Sayreville War Memorial High School Athletics Director John Kohutanycz with pay, based upon the recommendation of Schools Superintendent Rick Labbe, according to an NJ Advance Media report.Sayreville head football coach George Najjar remains suspended with pay from h...
The Sayreville Board of Education has suspended Sayreville War Memorial High School Athletics Director John Kohutanycz with pay, based upon the recommendation of Schools Superintendent Rick Labbe, according to an NJ Advance Media report.
Sayreville head football coach George Najjar remains suspended with pay from his physical education teaching position at the high school. He was suspended Oct. 16, the day the school district began an internal investigation into his program.
Seven Sayreville football players were charged two months ago with the alleged hazing and sexual assault of four teammates inside the team’s locker room. The school district canceled the season and Labbe has said it is possible that cancellation will extend into next season.
The board voted 8-0 to approve Kohutanycz's suspension after an hour session behind closed doors. One member of the board was not in attendance at the meeting. Neither the board members nor Labbe spoke to the media after the vote. In a statement, Labbe said the investigation into the football program and the alleged incidents will continue.
Kohutanycz, who earned $127,400 last year, according to MyCentralJersey.com’s Data Universe records of New Jersey public employees, will begin his suspension Wednesday, NJ Advance Media reported.
Attempts to reach Kohutanycz on his cell phone Tuesday night were unsuccessful.
Carl Buffalino, president of the Greater Middlesex Conference, of which Sayreville is a member, said while he respected any decision the Sayreville Board of Education may make regarding Kohutanycz’s employment status, he hold the athletics administrator in the highest regard.
“If you are asking me how JK is as a person, he is highly trustworthy,” Buffalino said, noting Kohutanycz, whose peers call him by his initials, has served as Sayreville athletics director for about a decade and previously held the same post at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen.
Kohutanycz was named the GMC’S Athletics Director of the Year in 2006-07.
“If this (suspension) happens, his absence will not only be a loss to the GMC, but I think it will be a loss to the student-athletes and coaches of Sayreville, as well,” Buffalino said, noting Kohutanycz served as the league’s treasurer and as a committee chair for two of the league’s championship tournaments.
Last month, the school board voted to reinstate four assistant football coaches who had been suspended with pay. The seven charged players have been suspended from school.
SAYREVILLE - Construction of the long awaited Bass Pro Shops has begun at Riverton, the 418-acre $2.5 billion development on banks of the Raritan River.Leases have been signed with Bass Pro Shops and QuickChek with a third store in the works, said Himanshu Shah, executive director of the Sayreville Economic and Redevelopmen...
SAYREVILLE - Construction of the long awaited Bass Pro Shops has begun at Riverton, the 418-acre $2.5 billion development on banks of the Raritan River.
Leases have been signed with Bass Pro Shops and QuickChek with a third store in the works, said Himanshu Shah, executive director of the Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Agency (SERA).
It will be the second Bass Pro Shops in New Jersey and the only one in New Jersey north of Atlantic City.
"It's going to be a phenomenal building," Mark Fetah, an executive at Riverton, told the Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Agency (SERA). "It's going to truly be a destination, so we're as excited as ever and more dedicated than ever to see this thing through."
At the Borough Council's reorganization meeting earlier this month, Mayor Kennedy O'Brien said that "we continue working closely with the developers at Riverton, which finally – and let me reemphasize finally – began construction a few weeks ago."
"For many of us who have eagerly awaited for construction to commence on this former industrial site, the moment that Riverton began pouring concrete and foundations, we knew that all the work of so many from Sayreville over the years is bearing fruit," O'Brien said. "Riverton, as they say, is finally going vertical. We look forward to celebrating the commencement of this major mixed-use project – the largest of its kind in the state – with a ceremony in the spring."
The mayor thanked members of SERA for overseeing "the right type of investments" coming to Sayreville.
"SERA and I share a vision," O'Brien said. "Redevelopment is all about minimizing impact and maximizing returns for the people of Sayreville."
The mayor said his office daily receives phone calls from major investors across the country interested in coming to Sayreville.
More:Sentencing delayed for NJ man convicted of killing teenage girl 26 years ago
"We carefully balance each and every proposal we hear," he said. "We are only interested in projects that help our town become more affordable to you, creating both jobs and stabilizing taxes for the long-term."
O'Brien also said his administration is making good on the pledge to improve the borough's parks and recreation programs.
There will be see new walking paths and renovated restrooms at Kennedy Park. The parking lot at Veterans Park has been improved and lighting has been installed, the mayor said.
The borough will be going out to bid for two new athletic fields at the Ust Recreational Complex.
In addition the mayor said, the borough will be applying for grants for a "large scale revitalization" of Bailey Park.
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Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com
Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
SAYREVILLE, NJ – While some families are lucky to have one child earn the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, the Bouchard family from Sayreville had four boys (three brothers and one cousin) complete their Eagle Projects and earn Eagle Scout rank over the past three years.Bryce, Cody, Blake, and Ryan Bouchard all completed projects that will help improve the different schools within the Sayreville School District. Kimberly Flanagan-Bouchard, mother of Bryce, Cody, and Ryan and aunt of Blake, supported the four boys from Cub Scouts...
SAYREVILLE, NJ – While some families are lucky to have one child earn the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, the Bouchard family from Sayreville had four boys (three brothers and one cousin) complete their Eagle Projects and earn Eagle Scout rank over the past three years.
Bryce, Cody, Blake, and Ryan Bouchard all completed projects that will help improve the different schools within the Sayreville School District. Kimberly Flanagan-Bouchard, mother of Bryce, Cody, and Ryan and aunt of Blake, supported the four boys from Cub Scouts in Pack 97 all through to Eagle over the past ten years. Kimberly was one of many others who helped the boys with the Eagle Scout projects, which included support from Troop 97 Scoutmaster Rich Perkins and Sayreville Superintendent Dr. Richard Labbe.
Kimberly's youngest son, Byrce Bouchard, a senior at Sayreville War Memorial High School and a member of both the school's football and wrestling teams, is the most recent scout in the family to complete his Eagle Project and will be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at Troop 97's Court of Honor on Sunday, Jan. 19 at the Knights of Columbus in Parlin.
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Bryce Bouchard (July 2024)Bryce built a 20' diameter Gaga Dodge Ball Pit, an octagon-shaped court with eight 3' walls, for the Sayreville Middle School. Gaga Ball is an elimination game that involves every person that is in the pit, using a kick-ball to tag their legs to get them out, until the last man standing wins. It is a unique game that is often played at Boy Scout campgrounds and is new to town. Students can play during recess or gym, get them moving for improved physical fitness.
Ryan Bouchard (July 2022)Ryan built four 4.5' benches outside the Sayreville War Memorial High School, along the west wall where students exit through three main doors. The benches were made of pressure-treated lumber, and cemented into the ground. He felt student athletes needed a safer place to wait for rides home. The adjacent parking lot is very busy, with parked school buses. There is reduced visibility between vehicles coming and going, so students were at risk waiting along the curb.
Blake Bouchard (November 2021)Blake built two 6' high x 4' wide lacrosse rebounders for Sayreville War Memorial High School. The rebounders act as a wall for athletes to develop and practice their lacrosse skills. They were made to be mobile, adjustable and stowable. He built these for what was a brand-new sport for the HS, as a club for the first year until they developed as a varsity team. This new lacrosse club did not have any equipment to start, and needed support to grow into a team that could compete with other schools. It was also a means to help students build physical fitness and engage in something new.
Cody Bouchard (March 2021)Cody built a 5' x 5' outdoor Scrabble Board table to be used by the older Special Education students (18-21) at the Sayreville Public Schools. The table is handicapped-accessible, and includes a screen-printed copy of the game board (with copyright permission from Hasbro), and wood-carved tiles. The intent was to provide a game that helps students who struggle with grammar, spelling, etc., and provide a way to play and interact with others.
Eagle status is the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting. To earn the rank, a Scout must progress through the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life Scout and earn 21 merit badges or more. Only about 7% of Scouts attain the rank of Eagle. Famous Eagle Scouts include astronauts Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, and James Lovell of Apollo 13 fame, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, former NJ Senator Bill Bradley, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, and President Gerald R. Ford.
The family thanks Sayreville Schools Superintendent, Dr. Richard Labbe, and Scoutmaster Rich Perkins of Troop 97. for their support and guidance.
TAPinto Raritan Bay is a free online newspaper serving Sayreville, South Amboy, and other communities along the Raritan Bay in Middlesex County, NJ. Like our Facebook page, visit www.tapinto.net/towns/raritan-bay, and sign up for the daily eNewsletter to get the latest hyperlocal news.