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 West Long Branch, 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 West Long Branch, 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 West Long Branch, 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 West Long Branch, 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, NJ — On March 11, Shore Regional High School will ask residents in four towns (Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright and West Long Branch) to raise property taxes to make school improvements.Shore Regional seeks to pass a $51-million bond (borrow the money) to make improvements to the high school building and facilities. The original Shore Regional High School building was built in the early 1960s; the school district said it will use the increased tax revenue to make "program enhancements, building and syst...
MONMOUTH BEACH, NJ — On March 11, Shore Regional High School will ask residents in four towns (Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright and West Long Branch) to raise property taxes to make school improvements.
Shore Regional seeks to pass a $51-million bond (borrow the money) to make improvements to the high school building and facilities. The original Shore Regional High School building was built in the early 1960s; the school district said it will use the increased tax revenue to make "program enhancements, building and system improvements, as well as upgrades to safety and security."
On March 11, voters will be asked to yay or nay a bond referendum. If residents vote "yes" to approve the referendum, their property taxes will go up. Here's how much by town:
Shore Regional High School is the public high school for students from four towns: Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright and West Long Branch, where the school is located.
Here's the referendum website: www.shoreregional.org/vote
Here's an overview video, which gives a breakdown of the proposal in under five minutes. Also, watch this video from the meeting held Feb. 19 at the high school, where residents heard directly from Shore Regional superintendent Lisa English, who wants the referendum to pass.
If residents have questions, here's a list of FAQs or email shorevote@vote.shoreregional.org.
If voters approve the referendum, the state of New Jersey will also contribute approximately $14 million in state aid to help fund the work. Repayment of the debt will be spread out over the next 20 years, the district said.
Last week: Shore Regional Asks Voters To Approve $51Million Bond On March 11 (Feb. 14)
The school district launched a website to answer questions, and will host a Feb. 19 meeting for residents to ask the district questions.Patch Staff|Updated Fri, Feb 14, 2025 at 10:50 am ETMONMOUTH BEACH, NJ — Shore Regional High School just launched this website: ...
Patch Staff
|Updated Fri, Feb 14, 2025 at 10:50 am ET
MONMOUTH BEACH, NJ — Shore Regional High School just launched this website: shoreregional.org/vote to inform voters about the upcoming March 11 bond referendum vote.
On March 11, Shore Regional will ask voters in four towns (Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright and West Long Branch) to approve passing a $51 million bond (borrowing the money) to make improvements to the high school building, and facilities.
School districts borrow money to fund capital projects by issuing bonds. If voters approve the referendum on March 11, the state of New Jersey will also contribute approximately $14 million in state aid to help fund the work.
Also, if residents approve the referendum, their property taxes will go up. How much by town is listed below.
Shore Regional will also host a Feb. 19 meeting for residents to ask the district questions. Know the Facts: Chat with Shore Regional, will take place on February 19 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Shore Regional High School (132 Monmouth Park Hwy, West Long Branch, NJ 07764).
Repayment of the debt will be spread out over the next 20 years, the district said.
The $51-million project is focused on program enhancements, building and system improvements, as well as upgrades to safety and security. The original Shore Regional High School building was built in the early 1960s and the school district said it will use the increased tax revenue to do the following:
Shore Regional High School District services students across four municipalities: Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright and West Long Branch, where the school is located. The estimated average tax increase for the new school debt would be:
Shore Regional teachers, administrators, board members, parents and members from the broader community collaborated in the district’s strategic planning process. The needs they identified in those meetings guided the projects proposed in the March 11 bond referendum.
Shore Regional superintendent Lisa English said:
“Our top priority is ensuring that every community member is informed about the vote and how the referendum plays a major role in our strategic approach to upgrade infrastructure and facilities to enrich the overall student experience. This website is the starting point for our efforts to inform the community of the proposal. It is the informational hub to find more details about the proposed projects, how they can vote and more.”
Monmouth County school districts have begun calling for closures and delayed openings for Wednesday due to snow from a winter storm expected to hit the state overnight.Winter storm warnings and advisories were issued for 10 counties in the southern half of New Jersey expected to get...
Monmouth County school districts have begun calling for closures and delayed openings for Wednesday due to snow from a winter storm expected to hit the state overnight.
Winter storm warnings and advisories were issued for 10 counties in the southern half of New Jersey expected to get the most snow from this storm with 4 to 8 inches possible in some spots.
This is the first of two storms in the forecast for the next couple days.
Another quick storm on Wednesday night into Thursday is expected to drop 1 to 3 inches of snow across the northern part of the state along with a dangerous coating of ice across a larger area.
The following school districts have announced schedule changes for Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025:
Asbury Park School District
Atlantic Highlands School District
Belmar Elementary School District
Bradley Beach School District
Colts Neck Township School District
Deal Boro School District
Eatontown Public School District
Fair Haven School District
Freehold Borough School District
Freehold Regional High School District
Freehold Township School District
Hazlet Township Public School District
Henry Hudson Regional School District
Holmdel Township School District
Howell Township Public School District
Keansburg School District
Keyport School District
Little Silver Boro School District
Long Branch Public School District
Manalapan-Englishtown Regional Schools School District
Marlboro Township School District
Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District
Middletown Township Public School District
Millstone Township School District
Monmouth Beach School District
Monmouth County Vocational School District
Monmouth Regional High School
Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission School District
Neptune City School District
Neptune Township School District
Oceanport School District
Red Bank Borough Public School District
Red Bank Regional School District
Roosevelt Borough Public School District
Rumson Borough School District
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School District
Sea Girt Borough School District
Shore Regional High School District
Shrewsbury Borough School District
Spring Lake Borough
Spring Lake Heights School District
Tinton Falls School District
Township of Ocean School District
Union Beach Public School District
Upper Freehold Regional School District
Wall Township Public School District
West Long Branch School District
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
Anthony Johnson reports from West Long Branch, New Jersey.WEST LONG BRANCH (WABC) -- It was a touching moment when 11-year-old Ben Santos got to hug and thank Officer David Brosonski who saved him after he fell through the ice at Franklin Lake in West Long Branch on Monday. Santos and Officer Brosonski were reunited on Thursday and Santos presented the pat...
Anthony Johnson reports from West Long Branch, New Jersey.
WEST LONG BRANCH (WABC) -- It was a touching moment when 11-year-old Ben Santos got to hug and thank Officer David Brosonski who saved him after he fell through the ice at Franklin Lake in West Long Branch on Monday.
Santos and Officer Brosonski were reunited on Thursday and Santos presented the patrolman who pulled him from the frigid lake with a handwritten letter.
Santos said he was so happy that Officer Brosonski was unwavering in his determination, walking some 75 feet out to reach the stranded boy.
"I'm really thankful for him to save me and how he risked his life to help me. And it's just. I'm very thankful for that," Santos said.
He said he walked across the lake that had been frozen last week, but parts had thawed by Monday afternoon, to get home to walk the family dog.
"So it sounded like wind, snow like crackles and stuff like that. So I tried to step back and when I stepped back, it broke and I just plunged into the water," Santos said.
His father had been talking to him on the phone, but his intuition kicked in when Ben stopped answering calls.
Santos is fully recovered from a touch of frostbite.
"I couldn't feel my legs and my body started to freeze," Santos said.
Officer Brosonski was joined by his colleagues who helped in Monday's rescue and was touched by Santos' letter of appreciation.
"It's definitely heartwarming reading. It's it's nice to hear," Brosonski said.
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2025 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
PHILADELPHIA - The Dragons begin their second split conference weekend in a row on Friday night at Monmouth. Action from West Long Branch, N.J. is slated for 7 p.m.Last Time Out The Drexel women's basketball team extended its winning streak to five games after defeating the Towson Tigers, 53-49, on Sunday afternoon at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.Amaris Baker and ...
PHILADELPHIA - The Dragons begin their second split conference weekend in a row on Friday night at Monmouth. Action from West Long Branch, N.J. is slated for 7 p.m.
Last Time Out The Drexel women's basketball team extended its winning streak to five games after defeating the Towson Tigers, 53-49, on Sunday afternoon at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.
Amaris Baker and Chloe Hodges each contributed 16 points to the final stat sheet. Hodges, went 6-for-11 from the field and corralled seven rebounds and dished out six assists. The senior also went 4-for-5 from the charity stripe.
Grace O'Neill finished with 10 assists and six rebounds. Hodges and O'Neill were the only players to tally assists for the Dragons, who finished with 20 field goals and 16 assists.
The difference in the game was free throws. Both teams made 20 field goals and Towson made one trey more than Drexel. However, Drexel got to the free throw line 12 times, while Towson visited 10. The Tigers only made four, while Drexel made nine.
Scouting Monmouth The Hawks enter Friday's contest just a game over .500 at 11-10. In conference play, the Hawks are 6-4 and currently are in sixth place.
The Hawks have two players who average north of 10-points per game. Damaris Rodriguez leads Monouth with 14.7 points per game. While she leads the team in treys, she produces the most inside the perimeter, shooting around 43%. Taisha Exanor adds 11.9 per game. Both of Monmouth's leading scorers average more than 30 minutes per game.
The Hawks are coached by Cait Wetmore, who is in her first season. Wetmore comes to New Jersey from UNC Charlotte, where she was the associate head coach.
All-Time Series Friday night will be the 11th meetup between the two teams. Drexel dropped four straight games before defeating the Hawks in the CAA Quarterfinals in 2024.
Last Time Against Monmouth The Drexel women's basketball team has clinched a spot in the semifinals of the 2024 CAA Championships, after defeating the second-seeded Monmouth Hawks, 58-56. It was the third time in four years that the Dragons have appeared in the semifinals of the CAA Championships.
Four Dragons scored more than 10 points against Monmouth. Amaris Baker led the team with 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Hetta Saatman, Brooke Mullin and Grace O'Neill all checked in with double-digit performances. It is the second time this season that the Dragons received double-digit scoring performances by four players.
The Dragons kept some of Monmouth's top scorers at bay. Kaci Donovan was held to six points, while Belle Kranbuhl and Jania Hall were also held to less than 10 points. The Hawks only had one player who scored double digits.
Drexel never conceded the lead. The Dragons held the lead for over 38 minutes. Monmouth tied the game twice. Once in the first quarter when it was 7-7, then again in the fourth quarter with 56 seconds remaining.
Looking Ahead The Dragons finish the weekend at home on Sunday, where they host the UNCW Seahawks at 1 p.m. The Dragons will also celebrate Girls & Women in Sports Day, where all youth girls (ages 12 and under) will be given admission for free.
About Sunday Drexel Athletics is set to honor 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, Gabriela Marginean during its women's basketball game on Sunday, February 9 at 1 p.m.
Sunday's game is also the teams' annual Girls & Women in Sports Day, where all youth girls (ages 12 and younger) receive free admission into the game. Drexel is also offering an Eagles Gameday Ticket Special on Sunday. All fans wearing green who buy a ticket at the ticket booth on game day will receive a 50% discount on tickets. After the game, fans can join the Drexel women's basketball team for a postgame autograph session.