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 South River, 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 South River, 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 South River, 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 South River, 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.
The frenzy of winter storms in New Jersey continued Tuesday night with more than 8 inches of snow falling on parts of the state, and more snow and ice on the way later today.The latest snowfall totals show Cape May as the top spot, with 8.8 inches of snow reported, followed by Galloway Township in Atla...
The frenzy of winter storms in New Jersey continued Tuesday night with more than 8 inches of snow falling on parts of the state, and more snow and ice on the way later today.
The latest snowfall totals show Cape May as the top spot, with 8.8 inches of snow reported, followed by Galloway Township in Atlantic County, with 8 inches of snow measured on the ground.
Atlantic City airport reported 7.8 inches, with several other reports in Atlantic and Cape May counties also topping 7 inches as of late Wednesday morning.
The forecast snowfall totals for Wednesday evening’s storm are expected to be much lower, with around 1 inch in northwestern New Jersey.
But a dangerous coating of ice could make roads treacherous for the Thursday morning commute, the National Weather Service said. Winter weather advisories have been issued for five counties.
The following snowfall totals were reported by the National Weather Service and the volunteer Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network, known as CoCoRaHS as of 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Salem County
Somerset County
Union County
Warren County
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NJ Advance Media staff writer Len Melisurgo contributed to this report.
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SOUTH RIVER – With the leading scorer in the state in Alex Grospe, South River is accustomed to attacking whatever cockamamie defense is thrown at it.So the Rams weren’t too surprised when South Amboy opened Saturday’s Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament employing a triangle-and-two alignment, shadowing Grospe and Anthony Costa.South River, on the other hand, played straight man-to-man with Grospe guarding the Governors prolific John Kelly.More:...
SOUTH RIVER – With the leading scorer in the state in Alex Grospe, South River is accustomed to attacking whatever cockamamie defense is thrown at it.
So the Rams weren’t too surprised when South Amboy opened Saturday’s Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament employing a triangle-and-two alignment, shadowing Grospe and Anthony Costa.
South River, on the other hand, played straight man-to-man with Grospe guarding the Governors prolific John Kelly.
More:Boys basketball rankings: Greater Middlesex Conference and area UCC Top 10, through Feb. 1
More:Boys basketball: North Brunswick bolsters postseason chances with win over Monroe
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South Amboy was in the midst of a run of 12 unanswered points when Grospe picked up his second foul late in the opening quarter which would prove to be the turning point, but not for the reason one might think.
Grospe stayed in the game as South River shifted to a zone to protect him and South Amboy never regained its offensive rhythm before the Rams coasted to a 71-50 triumph.
The Rams (10-9), seeded 22nd, earned a trip to 11th-seeded Middlesex for a rubber game in Tuesday’s preliminary round.
Grospe finished with 29 points to lift his career total to 1,930, but it was his eight steals and exhortations at the defensive end that provided some additional motivation.
Despite yielding several inches, Grospe wanted to guard Kelly, a sophomore who averages 19 points per game.
“Apparently, there were reports that were comparing us two and I’m not a guy who backs down against anyone,” Grospe stated. “When I see another guy who is putting up numbers like I am, I’m going to try and stop him and I guess that’s what we did today.”
Kelly scored 12 points and was able to contribute in other areas, collecting 12 rebounds and four steals. Alex Gantt led the Governors with 14 points. Costa, by the way, had two points.
South River faced a triangle-and-2 for the second game in a row, although East Brunswick Magnet chose to double-team Grospe in the scheme.
“Knowing that (Costa) is the secondary player that they play through we were trying to limit him,” South Amboy coach Matt Wiater explained, noting Costa’s team-leading 43 3-pointers. “We were trying to have our secondary line of defense be ready to cut off Grospe’s drives and make them go to their third, fourth and fifth options. To his credit, he did a really good job of still getting to the basket and we were not able to cut him off as well as we needed to.”
South River jumped out to a 9-2 lead sparked by a pair of buckets and an assist by Grospe, before the 27th-seeded Governors reeled off a 12-0 spurt that gave it a 14-9 advantage and the first of the contest’s two lead changes.
Grospe picked up his second foul with 2:24 left in the first quarter but South River coach Brandon Walsh did not consider removing him from the match.
“We have a really good relationship and I trust him,” Walsh said. “He knows where he is in the game, he has a really high IQ and at that point we just communicate and we’re going to allow him to keep playing and we have full confidence in him to not pick up that third foul.”
Walsh did switch to 3-2 zone in an effort to protect Grospe and the Rams went on a 12-0 rampage of its own, fueled by five points and an assist from the senior guard, for the game’s second and final lead change.
“We took him off Kelly at that point, I thought that they were having a really good matchup back and fourth, and we wanted to put him in a better position to not get in a bad spot,” noted Walsh. “We went to a zone there and ended up getting some good steals and leak outs from it.”
South River split its two Gold Division meetings with Middlesex, the division champion, winning by a point on opening night and losing, 88-54, on Jan. 22.
Grospe has watched his inexperienced teammates grow throughout the season and many of them are playing in a post-season tournament for the first time.
“I’ve watched us grow over time and build our chemistry and that’s really helped me put trust in my teammates,” Grospe explained. “If I show that I trust them it boosts their confidence and that’s what we need.”
Spotswood 63, New Brunswick 41: After suffering the indignity of watching Middlesex celebrate wining the GMC Gold Division title on its own home court on Thursday, Spotswood was ticked off, to say the least.
“We were seeded as the 20th seed in this tournament and we just feel like we have something to prove,” senior forward Joe Nardino revealed. “We just want to go out and prove that we’re underdogs and we can beat anybody in the GMC.”
Nardino went out and scored 10 of his 17 points in the first quarter as the Chargers (14-8) forged an 18-10 advantage it would never relinquish and steadily increase. New Brunswick (3-16), seeded 29th, made things interesting late in the third quarter as back-to-back 3s by Xavier Stokes and Michai Coffee reduced the deficit to 44-31, and the Zebras had the opportunity to further whittle the gap but missed a pair of free throws. Spotswood closed the period with five unanswered points, ending with a trey by Nardino and the lead hovered around 20 points until game’s end.
Spotswood will roll into Perth Amboy’s old high school gym at 5:30 Tuesday for the GMCT preliminary round with wins in nine of its last 10 outings and a ton of confidence.
“We started the year 1-5 and we just had to talk to each other and have that teamwork and feel like we have to get it together,” said Nardino. “Now I think we’re back on track.”
Nardino also grabbed 10 rebounds while front-court mate Se’mir Tolbert-Brimage matched his point total and claimed 13 boards. Chris Moronta led New Brunswick with 13 points and six steals.
SOUTH RIVER - Mayor Peter Guindi said the borough will concentrate on improving its water mains, sewers and drainage in 2025."It's not about winning, it's about succeeding," the mayor said at the borough's Jan. 1 reorganization meeting.Guindi said the borough received more than $2 million in grants in 2024 and will continue working on securing grants for projects, including water lines and infrastructure.The borough will start replacing water mains throughout South River 2025, the mayor said."We hav...
SOUTH RIVER - Mayor Peter Guindi said the borough will concentrate on improving its water mains, sewers and drainage in 2025.
"It's not about winning, it's about succeeding," the mayor said at the borough's Jan. 1 reorganization meeting.
Guindi said the borough received more than $2 million in grants in 2024 and will continue working on securing grants for projects, including water lines and infrastructure.
The borough will start replacing water mains throughout South River 2025, the mayor said.
"We have the plans in play," Guindi said. "No more talking about brown water. Now we're going to start doing what we said we would do last year. We're moving forward on it."
The water meter replacement project will continue, Guindi said.
The mayor also gave a progress report on the Battery Project, which allows the borough to save on the costs of electricity during the five hottest days of the year.
Phase II of the Battery Project is expected to be online by the summer so residents can save on electricity bills in 2026, the mayor said.
OnSite Partners has installed a battery energy storage system to meet nearly 50% of South River’s peak power needs. The project provides South River with the flexibility to store electricity when prices are low, and then utilize that locally stored energy when transmission grid is stressed and electricity costs are at their highest.
"We are trying to cut down on the costs on the hottest days and that's what dictates what we pay the following year," CFO Joseph Zanga said. "When we believe it will be one of the hottest days, we flip on the battery instead of buying power from the outside market, which is extremely high. It cuts costs on how much we pay for transmission and capacity. We've done it significantly over the last couple of years."
"Since we are adding more to the substation, it will help us even more in the future," Guindi said.
The borough will also be continuing to work on plans for a recreational facility, with Councilman Matthew DeSantis leading that effort, Guindi said.
"It's not an easy process, but it's a process that we need to get done for the kids," he said.
The borough is also working on more redevelopment projects for 2025 to expand the business district and start projects on the waterfront, the mayor said.
Guindi also said park improvements and road repavings will continue in 2025.
The park projects include a new turf field at Grekoski Park for baseball.
The borough also received a $554,250 Green Acres grant and a $79,000 DCA grant for an all-inclusive playground at Grekoski Park.
The borough will also be applying for grants for an all-inclusive playground and other improvements at Volunteer's Park.
The borough will also be working on a pickleball court and upgrading the field at Varga Park.
Guindi also recapped some of last year's projects, which he said were just "a scratch on the surface."
More:South River apartment plan hearing delayed until next year
The borough paved five roads in the borough, including part of Leonardine Avenue, and Beryl , Dailey, Darrow and John streets.
New basketball courts were installed at Dailey's Pond and Leonardine Park.
Water, sewer and drainage improvements, including repairs to fire hydrants, cost close to $2 million. This also included the chemical project and uni-directional flushing to help with the brown water issues.
The borough also purchased a new fire truck and DPW vehicles.
Two redevelopment projects on Main Street are underway and three projects, which involve renovations and improvements, were approved, Guindi said.
More:Governor frees NJ woman from prison for killing sexually abusive relative
Guindi urged residents to reach out to borough officials if they have a complaint. He promised residents that he will show up at their doors if they have a complaint.
During the meeting, Councilmen Matthew DeSantis and Nick Giannakopoulos were sworn in to their council terms.
Oaths of office were administered to Fire Chief William Smith, First Assistant Fire Chief Scott Wolf and Second Assistant Fire Chief Steven Drugos.
Councilman Tony Ciulla was selected as Council President.
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.
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LATEST REPORT: Updated snow totals for Monday’s winter storm. Town-by-town reports.A winter storm that has been drifting across the country has already dropped more than 7 inches of snow on pa...
LATEST REPORT: Updated snow totals for Monday’s winter storm. Town-by-town reports.
A winter storm that has been drifting across the country has already dropped more than 7 inches of snow on parts of New Jersey, and the storm still has as much as 12 hours to go.
Preliminary reports from the National Weather Service show heavy accumulations in Jersey Shore towns as of Monday morning.
Cape May is the top spot with 8.1 inches, followed by Ocean City at 7.4 inches. Snow has continued to fall in those areas since those reports were filed.
Snow is expected to continue throughout the afternoon before winding down Monday night, with the heaviest accumulations expected in the South Jersey.
Seven counties remain under a winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories advisories because of slick road conditions and low visibility.
Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency in those seven southern New Jersey counties.
Dozens of schools announced closures or delayed openings on Monday. See the full county-by-county lists.
The following snowfall totals are as of 4 p.m. and will be updated as additional reports are posted by the weather service.
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Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality.