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 Rumson, 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 Rumson, 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 Rumson, 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 Rumson, 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.
RUMSON, NJ — Forrestdale School in Rumson found a place in the top 10 of new education rankings from U.S. News & World Report for New Jersey's best K-8 schools - the only Monmouth County school on the list.The news outlet based its 2024 Best Elementary and Middle School rankings on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education, focusing on student proficiency in core subject areas, it notes.Forrestdale School, 60 Forrest...
RUMSON, NJ — Forrestdale School in Rumson found a place in the top 10 of new education rankings from U.S. News & World Report for New Jersey's best K-8 schools - the only Monmouth County school on the list.
The news outlet based its 2024 Best Elementary and Middle School rankings on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education, focusing on student proficiency in core subject areas, it notes.
Forrestdale School, 60 Forrest Ave., ranked No. 7 in New Jersey Elementary Schools and ranked No. 3 in New Jersey Middle Schools, according to the report.
Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare their students for high school.
In New Jersey, the top 10 public elementary schools are:
The top 10 public middle schools in New Jersey are:
The student population of Forrestdale School is 551 and the school serves grades 4-8, the report said. At Forrestdale School, 74 percent of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 77 percent scored at or above that level for reading. Student/teacher ratio is 10:1. You can see more details here.
Deane-Porter School is the other elementary school in the district and serves grades PK-3. It was ranked No. 58 in that category in the same report.
The U.S. News list includes data on more than 79,000 public elementary and middle schools nationwide, according to a Patch article.
In the analysis, U.S. News looked closely at state assessment of students who were proficient or above-proficient in mathematics and reading/language arts, while also accounting for student backgrounds, achievement in core subjects, and how well schools are educating their students. Student-teacher ratios are applied to break ties in the overall score.
LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News, said the state and district-level rankings are intended to give parents a snapshot of their child’s school and how well it’s doing within its community.
“Easily accessible data on student-teacher ratio, district spending, and the number of school counselors available at the school can keep parents informed and involved,” Jones said.
Patch Editor Michelle Rotuno-Johnson contributed to this report.
Point Pleasant Boro vehemently silenced its soft-schedule critics Saturday with a 42-28 victory over Rumson-Fair Haven at Al Saner Field in Point Pleasant.Barring an upset between now and the cutoff for the public state playoffs on Oct. 21, Point Pleasant Boro should get the No. 1 seed in the South Jersey Group 2. If a rematch with Rumson-Fair Haven in the group semifinals comes to be, it would be played in Point Pleasant.The Panthers accumulated more than 500 yards of offense. Point Boro has now outscored opponents 212-82....
Point Pleasant Boro vehemently silenced its soft-schedule critics Saturday with a 42-28 victory over Rumson-Fair Haven at Al Saner Field in Point Pleasant.
Barring an upset between now and the cutoff for the public state playoffs on Oct. 21, Point Pleasant Boro should get the No. 1 seed in the South Jersey Group 2. If a rematch with Rumson-Fair Haven in the group semifinals comes to be, it would be played in Point Pleasant.
The Panthers accumulated more than 500 yards of offense. Point Boro has now outscored opponents 212-82.
Point Boro, now 5-0, has won 19 of its last 20 games, but none of those victories was as impressive as the one Saturday. That one loss was an unexpected 50-30 beatdown by Willingboro in the sectional semifinals last November, which has fueled the Point Boro onslaught in 2023..
Matt Oliphant, know for his ability to efficiently and expertly run Point Boro’s option offense, proved he can throw it as well as run it.
Oliphant, a senior, finished the day a perfect, 7-for-7 with a career-high 156 yards passing and three TDs — as many as he had all of last season. He also rushed for 145 yards and a TD.
Oliphant had a 40-yard touchdown run and threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Colin Obser, an 8-yard touchdown pass to Brayden Forfar, and a 61-yard touchdown pass to Brian Simoes.
Jake Croce added 195 yards on the ground and scored twice. He provided the icing on the cake with a 65-yard TD run with 6:25 left to play.
Point Boro also perfectly executed an onside kick to start the second half leading to a touchdown.
Point Boro led 14-0 before Rumson rallied to tie the score at 14 with 3:13 left in the first half. However, Point Boro broke the tie with an 80-yard drive punctuated the TD reception by Forfar with eight seconds left in the first half.
The recovered insides kick by Forfar set up a short scoring run by Croce, giving Point Boro a 28-14 lead. Point Boro maintained the two TD lead the rest of the way.
Joe Zedalis can be reached at
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RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN, NJ — Independence Day is quickly approaching, which means it's time to fire up that barbecue and find out what Fourth of July fireworks and festivities are going on in and around the Rumson-Fair Haven area for 2023.We gathered up all the fireworks shows, parades and festivals happening in and around the Rumson area so you can start planning now.Here's what's in store this July 4 in and around the Rumson area:July 4 FestivitiesLONG BRANCHOceanfest at...
RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN, NJ — Independence Day is quickly approaching, which means it's time to fire up that barbecue and find out what Fourth of July fireworks and festivities are going on in and around the Rumson-Fair Haven area for 2023.
We gathered up all the fireworks shows, parades and festivals happening in and around the Rumson area so you can start planning now.
Here's what's in store this July 4 in and around the Rumson area:
July 4 Festivities
LONG BRANCH
Oceanfest at Long Branch is Tuesday, July 4, from noon to 10 p.m., on the Boardwalk, 1 Ocean Boulevard, Long Branch
Oceanfest combines community and cultural events and tops off with spectacular fireworks. Visitors can stroll the boardwalk, enjoy performances by dancers, musicians, clowns and carnival acts, and sample foods from a variety of vendors. There will be crafters form all over the Northeast. There is also a sand sculpture demonstration.
This event rakes place rain or shine.
SHREWBSURY
The Monmouth County Historical Association will have a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 9 a.m. on July 4 at the Allen House, at the northwest corner of the Historic Four Corners at Broad Street and Sycamore Avenue. Tours of the Allen House will be offered after the reading. The house is furnished as a tavern to reflect its 18th-century reputation as the Blue Ball Tavern when it served as the very popular and “most noted tavern in Shrewsbury.”
HOLMDEL
A Celebrate Freedom Fireworks Display will take place Wednesday, June 28, starting at 9:15 p.m. at Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road. Gather early at Bell Works for the event that runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Organizers say you can park at the retail/business complex, previously Bell Labs, and bring a chair to watch the show from the parking lot. Park in the purple and blue lots, and head over to the yellow and red lots to enjoy fireworks, planned for around 9:15 p.m.
The Block is open, organizers say, so you can come inside to cool down, use the restrooms, grab a bite, try out some entertainment concepts, and grab a drink from Bar Bella Inverno while enjoying live, all-vinyl music by DJ Ayotay from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Chairs are welcome in viewing lots, but no open flames are allowed.
The Roof Deck is closed for a private tenant event. However Bar Bella will be open indoors.
You can vote for Shane Sullivan, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional HS, for USA Football's Heart of a Giant program. He supports Middletown charity.|Updated Mon, Oct 9, 2023 at 4:03 pm ETRUMSON, NJ — Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s Shane Sullivan learned firsthand of the need for support for childhood cancer victims when his own cousin faced the illness.Now Sullivan, of Rumson, has been nominated for USA Football’s Heart of a Giant Award, presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Gia...
|Updated Mon, Oct 9, 2023 at 4:03 pm ET
RUMSON, NJ — Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s Shane Sullivan learned firsthand of the need for support for childhood cancer victims when his own cousin faced the illness.
Now Sullivan, of Rumson, has been nominated for USA Football’s Heart of a Giant Award, presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants.
And he was praised by his coach for his support of Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer, based in Middletown.
Now in its 10th year, the Heart of a Giant program announced this series of nominees.
"These Tri-State area high school football players, mascots and team managers have all been nominated for the award by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and and dedication," the organization said.
And Shane Sullivan seems to certainly fit the bill, according to his coach.
In his nomination, Coach Jeremy Schulte said "Shane has consistently shown a high character level since his freshman year of high school. Since then, Shane has worked tirelessly as a three-sport athlete at a competitive school, which recently ranked second in the state in overall athletics.
"Shane has also remained dedicated to his school work, maintaining a 3.4 GPA in a rigorous academic setting. Even while doing all of this, Shane has found time to volunteer with an organization very close to his heart," he said.
And Shane Sullivan is hoping to support an organization that helps young people who have cancer, Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer.
The coach recalled that "I was approached by Shane in the summertime and he asked if we as a team could do something to honor this month as a means of giving back to a local charity, Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer, that helped his little cousin (now five-years cancer free) during her two times fight against Wilms tumor.
"Infinite Love is a local, 100 percent volunteer-run, 501c3 foundation that provides research grants to our country’s leading hospitals as well as prides itself in helping childhood cancer families both financially and emotionally. Shane has worked with Infinite Love and as of today’s date, has helped raise over $6,000 in a short amount of time," the coach said.
He said that "Grit, compassion, and dedication are all characteristics coaches love to see in their athletes, and Shane continues to display all of the characteristics. We are incredibly proud of Shane and feel that he exemplifies everything the Heart of a Giant represents."
There are nine other nominees from elsewhere in New Jersey and New York states. Sullivan is the only Central Jersey candidate.
The voting period for these nominees is now open until Sunday, Oct. 22, at 11:59 p.m., with the final vote tally determining who will be named the weekly group’s finalist.
The link to vote for the nominee is here.
At the end of the six-week voting process, six finalists and five wild card finalists will be named, for a total of 11 finalist honorees, according to the organization.
Each finalist will receive $1,000 grant for their high school’s football program, with the grand prize winner’s school getting an additional $9,000 equipment grant.
The grand prize winner and his coach will be honored on the field at a future New York Giants game this season. The grand prize winner will be selected based on video submissions stating why they have the Heart of a Giant, the organization says.
For more information on the program, click here.
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