Chiropractor in Belmar, NJ

Has your quality of life been affected because of back pain? You're not alone - Harvard Health tells us that almost 85% of people in the US have back pain so severe that they see a doctor at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, these problems often start small but end up becoming severe issues like sciatica. For active people and athletes, dealing with back pain isn't just compromising; it's life-changing.

And while many people will tell you that having a "back problem" is something you'll have to deal with for the rest of your life, that's far from the case. The good news is that seeing a chiropractor in Belmar can provide you with the relief needed to live a healthy, active life without giving up the things you love most, like sports and spending time with your family.

Of the millions of Americans who suffer from back pain daily, many have found long-lasting relief through the same chiropractic care offered at NJ Sports Spine & Wellness. But what exactly is chiropractic care, and how does it help?

Service Areas

Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-invasive approach to overall wellness and healing that focuses on correcting issues with your musculoskeletal system. When performed by a licensed chiropractor, it can alleviate and even eliminate common problems such as:

Back Pain
Shoulder Pain
Neck Pain
Headaches
Sciatica

Knee Pain
Automobile Injuries
Sports Injuries
Arthritis
Body Aches

To treat your conditions and help reduce your pain, chiropractors use time-tested, hands-on techniques to adjust your spine, neck, back, and other joints throughout your body to restore proper function, mobility, and alignment. Once your body is in proper alignment, it functions optimally, leading to improved overall wellness and health.

Unlike some sports rehab clinics in The Garden State, chiropractors from NJ Sports Spine & Wellness work with you one-on-one to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific goals and needs relating to your pain and ability to live a normal life. Because our team takes a holistic approach to healthcare, we cover all aspects of your health and wellness when developing your chiropractic treatment plan. That way, we increase your chances of living a fulfilling life free of pain and worry about throwing your back out.

What are the Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor in Belmar, NJ?

Seeing a chiropractor can quite literally change your life for the better. According to the American Chiropractic Association, in general, chiropractic therapy is a more effective solution for back pain than other treatments like addictive pain pills, surgeries, and yoga. When combined with services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and acupuncture, chiropractic care may be the key you need to open the door to a pain-free life.

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Some of the many benefits of seeing a reliable, licensed chiropractor include the following:

Relief from Back Pain

Perhaps the most obvious reason to make an appointment with a chiropractor is for back pain relief. Some people only need to see a chiropractor when they have occasional back pain, such as when they wake up in the morning. Others, such as those who have been in serious car accidents, need regular chiropractic adjustments and therapies, which are often supplemented with techniques like physical therapy and acupuncture.

There are many causes of back pain that range from advanced conditions like having sciatica and herniated discs to everyday issues like poor posture and sleeping in a harmful position. Your chiropractor's job is to pinpoint the cause(s) of your back pain and build a customized plan to address your musculoskeletal conditions. Once that happens, pain relief follows shortly after.

At New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, we craft personalized chiropractic plans for every patient we treat, with the goal of avoiding harmful surgeries and addictive medicines.

Relief from Headaches

If you've never experienced a headache in your life, you're exceedingly rare. Just about every American will suffer from a headache at some point or another. For some, headaches only happen occasionally and are not much more than an annoyance. For others, headaches evolve into crippling migraines that can affect quality of life, ability to work, and much more.

If you find yourself digging into a bottle of Aspirin or something stronger when you have a headache, it might be time to visit an NJSSW chiropractor.

Improved Sleep

Do you wake up in the morning feeling like you didn't sleep a wink the previous night? Do you have to take sleep aides like Ambien in order to drift off to dreamland? If you have chronic back pain, getting a full night's rest is easier said than done. From misaligned spines to improper sleeping posture, your chiropractor in Belmar can use manipulation therapy and other techniques to boost blood flow and align your vertebrae, so your body can heal itself and help you rest better.

Reduced Anxiety and Stress

One of the best things about seeing your chiropractor is that when your session is over, you often feel great. The pain relief feels phenomenal. When you're not in pain, you have a more positive outlook on life, and often enjoy better sleep, blood pressure, and even sexual relations. It makes sense, then, that chiropractic care has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety, which promotes relaxation and improved mental health.

Athletic Performance

At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, we work with a long list of athletes who suffer from sports injuries and other problems that can manifest from being active. For professional athletes, having a trustworthy chiropractor to care for them is needed for their careers. But you don't have to be a pro athlete to benefit from chiropractic care. Ordinary people that enjoy active lifestyles can reap tremendous rewards through chiropractic care, such as improved range of motion and relief from compressed discs.

Whether you enjoy impromptu games of tag football or simply want to play with your kids, seeing a chiropractor can help you be healthy and active without fighting back, neck, and joint pain. That's especially true when chiropractic therapy is used in conjunction with acupuncture, physical therapy, or occupational therapy.ies and addictive medicines.

Common Chiropractic Techniques

Your NJ Sports Spine & Wellness chiropractor in Belmar may use a range of techniques to restore function and alignment in your body. Some of the most common techniques our chiropractors use include:

Mobilization: This chiropractic strategy uses gentle movements to help restore joint functionality and proper spinal alignment.
Manipulation: Spinal manipulation uses controlled force and gravity to correct spinal issues and restore healthy alignment.
Electrical Stimulation: With this therapy, electrical currents are used to stimulate your muscles and help heal injuries faster.
Soft Tissue Therapy: This type of massage and other hands-on techniques relieve muscle tension while providing pain relief and promoting soft tissue health.
Trigger Point Therapy: With this therapy, the targeted use of pressure is used to release tension and improve functionality across specific areas of your body.
Ultrasounds: High-frequency sound waves can break up plaque and help stimulate your body's natural healing processes for injuries and wounds.

Reclaim Your Active Life with Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Care

Life has a habit of being unexpected. Sure, some surprises only hurt your bank account, like last-minute renovations in your home. But severe incidents, like car accidents, can inflict physical injuries that cause you long-term pain. These problems, like neck and back injuries, affect many Americans daily. Even worse, many hardworking people turn to risky surgeries and addictive pain medications, only to find themselves deep in a hole that seems impossible to get out of.

If you suffer from serious range-of-motion issues or you're in chronic pain, it's important to know that you have treatment choices. You don't have to put your health at risk to relieve your pain. One of the most successful non-invasive treatments offered for pain is physical therapy. The main goal of physical therapy is to restore movement and function to patients affected by illness, injury, or disability.

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.

Once our PTs have made headway, they will often use our chiropractic therapy to provide the patient with more relief. Having the option of both chiropractic and physical therapy is often very effective, because your chiropractor in Belmar can address nerve irritation and joint dysfunction while your physical therapist helps retrain your musculoskeletal system, allowing your body to heal faster.

Some of the biggest benefits of using physical therapy along with chiropractic care include:

Restoring Mobility After Injury, Surgery, or Illness
Developing Flexibility and Strength for Physical Activities
Safe Relief from Chronic Pain
Improved Spine and Joint Health
Enhanced Knowledge of Your Body and How to Prevent Injuries

Engage in Activities of Daily Living with Occupational Therapy and Chiropractic Therapy

Occupational therapy, or OT, is to help patients of all ages and abilities engage in activities of daily living, or ADL. Often, that means helping patients reclaim the ability to continue working, going to school, accomplishing day-to-day tasks, or other activities common to daily living.

Occupational therapy can benefit individuals going through many conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, and chronic pain. The end goal of occupational therapy is to help patients achieve the maximum level of independence and participation in their daily lives. If pain, discomfort, weakness, fatigue, or fear prevent you from participating in activities you love, an OT from NJ Sports Spine & Wellness could become the MVP of your wellness journey.

To give our patients the most complete pain relief and recovery options, our doctors and practitioners will often lean on the expertise of both a physical therapist and a chiropractor in Belmar. By working together, your PT, OT, and chiropractor can provide you with a comprehensive approach to total-body functionality, from your spine and joints to your mind and range of motion.

Some of the most common benefits of using OT with chiropractic care include:

Chronic Pain Relief
Improvement of Both Physical and Mental, Emotional, or Developmental Disabilities
Improved Development of Fine Motor Skills
Better Spine and Musculoskeletal Health
Help with Sensory Processing Disorders
Much More

Request Appointment

732-316-5895

Boost Self-Healing Processes with Acupuncture and Chiropractic Care

Acupuncture boosts your body's functions and helps improve its ability to heal through anatomic site stimulation - usually called acupuncture points or acupoints. To stimulate these points, acupuncturists at NJ Sports Spine & Wellness insert fine, sterile needles into your skin. Most patients don't feel any pain as needles are applied. Typically, needles are left in the skin up to 30 minutes. After your session, it's normal to feel incredibly relaxed.

While some practitioners still adhere to traditional philosophies, modern acupuncturists take an integrative approach to the therapy. Today, professional acupuncturists use these techniques to stimulate your body's natural healing and pain-fighting processes. When coupled with personalized care from a chiropractor in Belmar as well as physical or occupational therapy, you can find real relief from the physical and emotional roadblocks holding you back. Some of the most reported benefits of acupuncture treatment include:

Back, Neck, and General Pain Relief
Improved Digestion and Relief from IBS and Acid Reflux
Relief from Menstrual Cramps
Treatment for Allergies and Asthma
Enhanced Blood Flow
Much More

During an acupuncture session, you may feel a slight sensation of warmth or tingling at the needle's site of insertion. Generally speaking, acupuncture is painless and perfectly safe for you to consider. In fact, many practitioners and doctors recommend combining acupuncture with other treatment options like chiropractic adjustments.

Though acupuncture and chiropractic therapies come from different origins, both include non-invasive, holistic, and gentle approaches that don't require drugs to work. They also both facilitate total-body healing by addressing the underlying causes of your symptoms - not just the symptoms themselves.

Because acupuncture is known to release endorphins and improve blood flow, having a session prior to a chiropractic adjustment can be very beneficial. That's because, after acupuncture, your muscles are less stiff, more relaxed, and easier to adjust effectively. Over time, as you combine acupuncture and chiropractic therapy, you'll benefit from less inflammation and less pain as you heal from injuries or musculoskeletal conditions. That same truth applies to patients who undergo serious chiropractic adjustments.

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Shedule An Appointment Chiropractor Belmar, NJ

Trust the NJ Sports Spine & Wellness Difference

At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, our staff consists of licensed and highly-trained professionals, including specialists focusing on:

Pain Management
Sports Medicine
Chiropractic Therapy

Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Acupuncture

Contact Us

732-316-5895

Every member of our team believes that the path to wellness and a pain-free life begins with customized treatment plans that cater to your needs and body. Unlike some chiropractors in Belmar, we do not treat on-the-surface symptoms with one-size-fits-all therapies. We do not rely on powerful pain medications to mask your pain or invasive surgeries that require weeks of recovery. Instead, we address the root causes of your pain so that we can help you live the happy, healthy life you're craving.

To achieve that goal, we'll conduct an in-depth evaluation to learn about your medical history. We'll also perform diagnostic tests and speak with you one-on-one to get a better sense of your needs. From there, we'll recommend the therapies that can give you a new lease on life and be there for every milestone you hit.

If you're fed up of living with the limits of pain and lack of mobility, we're here to help you break free. Contact our office today to get started.

Historic Jersey Shore hotel demolished to make room for luxury townhouses

A local landmark, or an eyesore?For the past five years, The White House in Belmar was both — until a demolition crew arrived this week to tear down the old hotel at the corner of Ocean and Second avenues.It took less than a day for an excavator from Greg Lertch Demolition to plow through the 34 rooms of wood, wire, and brick, as the curtain fell on the big hotel with the wrap-around porch.A developer, Down to Earth Construction, recently received court approval to build six luxury townhouses, ending a four-year co...

A local landmark, or an eyesore?

For the past five years, The White House in Belmar was both — until a demolition crew arrived this week to tear down the old hotel at the corner of Ocean and Second avenues.

It took less than a day for an excavator from Greg Lertch Demolition to plow through the 34 rooms of wood, wire, and brick, as the curtain fell on the big hotel with the wrap-around porch.

A developer, Down to Earth Construction, recently received court approval to build six luxury townhouses, ending a four-year court battle that left The White House an empty and boarded-up eyesore.

“This is one of the last of the grand old houses,” said Rickey Stein, a trustee with the Belmar Historical Society. “Everyone who has been to Belmar knew that house, right smack there on Ocean Avenue. It’s heartbreaking to see it go.”

Located just off the Shark River Inlet, The White House was once a private Victorian-era mansion that opened as a hotel in 1931. For more than 80 years, The White House opened its doors to summer vacationers and weekend warriors who stayed for the wrap-around porch, cool breeze and ocean view.

Visitors came from near and far, and from all walks of life. The local newspaper, The Coast Star, reported that the noted psychologist from Fort Lee, Dr. Joyce Brothers, was a frequent guest. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards also stopped by in a limo one day around 2005, to pick up his nephew and take him to dinner, the newspaper reported.

“That building has a long and interesting history,” said Patricia O’Keefe, who was working at the Belmar Museum when the excavation crew arrived. She did not watch.

“It’s a little sad to see these historic buildings go,” she said. Although it was familiar to many, the building was not a designated landmark and was not protected.

Belmar once had many hotels, but most of those buildings have been torn down and replaced by private dwellings. Oceanfront real estate is so valuable that it’s more profitable to sell a building for a tear down than to keep fixing it.

“You have to have a ton of money to build on Ocean Avenue,” Stein said. He added the only hotel left on Ocean Avenue is the Mayfair at the corner of 10th Avenue.

The owner of The White House, Tom Wagner, sold the building after the Belmar zoning board approved a set of variances to allow construction of six luxury townhouses. A lawsuit followed, filed by two adjacent property owners, Joseph Puleo and Rita Puleo, and Joel Russell, who challenged the zoning board’s approval process.

The White House sat boarded up for five summers while the lawsuit crawled through the courts, an omnipresent eyesore at the entrance to Belmar, just south of the Shark River bridge. Finally, last month, an appellate court upheld the original lower court ruling that allowed the project to go forward, giving Down to Earth Construction the green light to demolish The White House.

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Belmar Unveils Plan for ADA-Compliant Skatepark

Shown above is a rendering of Belmar's newest skatepark design, which according to engineers will be ADA-compliant.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Friends of Belmar Skatepark's Instagram By Jack SlocumPublishedJuly 27, 2023 at 8:24 PMBELMAR, NJ — The Mayor and Council heard a presentation at its most recent meeting about the latest plans for the long-awaited skatepark remodel. According to officials, the new skatepark will be a massive upgrade from the o...

Shown above is a rendering of Belmar's newest skatepark design, which according to engineers will be ADA-compliant.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Friends of Belmar Skatepark's Instagram

By Jack Slocum

PublishedJuly 27, 2023 at 8:24 PM

BELMAR, NJ — The Mayor and Council heard a presentation at its most recent meeting about the latest plans for the long-awaited skatepark remodel. According to officials, the new skatepark will be a massive upgrade from the original, and will also be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.

The skatepark, located at Dempsey Park (16th and Railroad avenues,) has been closed for several years after the previous administration and its insurance company deemed the park unsafe. Since then, several residents and visitors have urged local officials to take another look at the park. As a result, the borough has put together the Belmar Skate Park Committee, spearheaded by engineer Nicholas DeCotiis who is donating his time to create the plans.

“The park was designed to be inclusive for as many people as possible. In addition, the park is designed for all ages and all skill levels,” DeCotiis said. “We’re going to also be doing some other things in terms of making it more accessible to everybody. That’s kind of the signature part of the goal of the project, is to make an experience that is open to everybody.”

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According to DeCotiis, the park will remain in Dempsey Park, however, will be placed further away from the street, closer to the recycling center. The park will be 18,000 square feet, double what the original park size was. It will also feature a 1,900-square-foot bowl that will be 4-6 feet deep, as well as a 10,500-square-foot “street area.”

ADA measures have been put into the design as well to assist people like Anthony Ferraro, a blind skater who has been advocating to reopen the park for years now. According to DeCotiis, the park’s features will be longer, allowing people like Ferraro to properly feel them out before skating them.

“We’re really excited about the designs going on. Growing up blind, I learned how to skate at Belmar’s skatepark, and it was very convenient because I didn’t have to get a ride or anything. Now I have to pay for Ubers or bug my pregnant wife for rides to the skatepark, it’s a little trickier,” Ferraro said. “Skateboarding is becoming more accessible to everyone. People in wheelchairs, with all types of abilities, are skating. It’s a way to stay out of trouble and have a community in your area, and have a safe place to go… I think it’s really important how everyone’s behind making an ADA-adaptive skatepark, which will be, I think, just incredible for the area.”

Ferraro added that the park would not only assist skaters with special needs but also bring a great deal of visitors and publicity to the borough. He said that with the rise of accessible skateboarding, it’s possible that the park could potentially host competitions with an adaptive skating division.

“It’s really important, and it means the world to me that our community is doing this and how far we’ve already gotten,” Ferraro said. “I think it could be a really positive thing for the community.”

According to DeCotiis, fundraising has already begun, and once the funds are raised it should take two to three months for the park’s completion. The cost estimate for the park is around $1 million to $1.5 million. The committee is still working on the means to receive online donations, however, you can keep up to date by visiting its Instagram page.

Belmar Library Lays Out Several October Events

The Belmar Public Library announced several programs for October, including a live animal event with penguins and a concert for children.Photo Credit: TAPinto Staff By Jack SlocumPublishedSeptember 25, 2023 at 8:30 PMBELMAR, NJ — The Belmar Public Library has announced several events for the month of October. From hanging out with penguins to a children’s concert, here’s what to expect from the library this month.On October 3 at ...

The Belmar Public Library announced several programs for October, including a live animal event with penguins and a concert for children.Photo Credit: TAPinto Staff

By Jack Slocum

PublishedSeptember 25, 2023 at 8:30 PM

BELMAR, NJ — The Belmar Public Library has announced several events for the month of October. From hanging out with penguins to a children’s concert, here’s what to expect from the library this month.

On October 3 at 6 p.m., the library will be hosting author Jo Anna Dressler Kloster who will discuss her newest book “Lily Unleashed.” The coming-of-age novel revolves around Lily Grabowski and her relationship with her teacher’s puppy mill rescue dog. Lily must either surrender the dog because his needs are bigger than her ability to help him or stand up for what she believes will save him.

“Jo Anna Dressler Kloster is a former elementary teacher, an author, and a Humane Policy Volunteer Leader with the Humane Society of the United States. She works to better the lives of animals,” a library statement read. “(The novel) focuses on an underdog whose love inspires one girl to speak up for this puppy mill rescue and all the other dogs locked in puppy mill cages. Themes of friendship, bullying, and loss are explored.”

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There will be another author at the library, featuring Mick Bennett, on October 11 at 6 p.m. Bennett will be discussing his book "Take the Lively Air."

"In Take the Lively Air, a minor traffic collision escalates into a confrontation between two families haunted by their pasts and apprehensive of their futures," a statement reads. "Rage and regret butt heads against the background of America’s toxic cultural climate.But saner voices discover that human frailties are best viewed through the microscope of compassion, and our common humanity must be acknowledged to make way for our futures."

The library will also be hosting a live animal event on Saturday, October 7, featuring penguins at the Taylor Pavilion. Jenkinson’s Aquarium will provide the penguins and will be answering questions from participants.

“Waddle into the world of Penguin biology, geography, care, feeding, and conservation,” a library statement read. “Do all penguins live in cold weather? What does a penguin eat? Why can’t penguins fly? How can we tell our penguins apart at the aquarium? Find out the answers, and more, with the help of our knowledgeable keepers!”

Registration is required, and participants will have to sit six feet away from the birds because of state law.

There will also be a concert for kids on October 28 at noon at the Taylor Pavilion. Mr. Ray’s Concert for Kids is for youngsters in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. Participants can expect a “live, energetic, engaging performance featuring original and pop songs.” The songs will focus on themes including kindness, respect, diversity/inclusion, learning, and more.

Mr. Ray, Ray Anderson, has been performing for children since 1994. In his career, he has played with the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Meatloaf. He also had formed a band in the '90s that toured in Europe. He’s also a representative of Pathways to Peace, an international peace-building, educational, and consulting, non-political organization.

The Belmar Public Library is also still offering its weekly events, including Tai Chi, storytime, meditation, knitting club, and more. To learn more about these events and registration, visit the library’s website here.

Belmar, NJ residents fight beachfront 5G towers

BELMAR — A resident leading the fight in a Jersey Shore town against a plan to install over two dozen 30-foot cell phone towers along a boardwalk had to adjust her battle plan.Verizon has been trying to install towers along the mile-long boardwalk for several years and went to court after the borough delayed approval.A settlement in 2022 allowed Verizon to install 20 "small wireless facilities," each 30 feet tall, at street lights located at each block along Ocean Avenue.Caitlin Donovan created a website,...

BELMAR — A resident leading the fight in a Jersey Shore town against a plan to install over two dozen 30-foot cell phone towers along a boardwalk had to adjust her battle plan.

Verizon has been trying to install towers along the mile-long boardwalk for several years and went to court after the borough delayed approval.

A settlement in 2022 allowed Verizon to install 20 "small wireless facilities," each 30 feet tall, at street lights located at each block along Ocean Avenue.

Caitlin Donovan created a website, BelmarAgainst5GTowers.com, and an online petition expressing her opposition. She has used social media to gain support.

"We think they're excessive and we're worried about environmental damage, damage to the character of our beach, and even for a lot of peoples and health concerns," Donovan told New Jersey 101.5.

Donovan contends that the towers will be an eyesore and could decrease property values. There is also concern about health risks posed by long-term exposure to the 5G towers.

However, after Donovan focused her efforts on elected borough officials it was discovered that the property along Ocean Avenue where the towers would be placed is actually the county's land.

Donovan addressed the county commissioners on June 8. County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone said that the county is also opposed to the towers.

He said Verizon's application is being reviewed by county attorney Mike Fitzgerald.

"We're making sure they go through the whole process," Arnone told Donovan. "Mike has reached out and let them know we are obviously against it and in support of you guys in Belmar."

Arnone declined to comment for this report.

In a statement, Verizon spokesman Andrew Testa said the poles were custom designed as a "concession to the township" as part of a plan to optimize network coverage and capacity.

"Verizon’s deployment of new small cells in Belmar provides customers and emergency service providers in our community with enhanced and more reliable wireless voice and data services to meet not only today’s needs, but also those of the future," Testa said.

Belmar Dairy Queen owner fined after being accused of shortchanging underage workers

The owner of the Dairy Queen franchise in Belmar has been fined $14,006 for violating federal child labor laws that involved nearly two dozen employees, the U.S. Labor Department said Monday.Konstantine Menegatos, who also operates Dairy Queen franchises in Rutherford, West Milford and Emerson, paid a total of $9,764 to 15 employees in back wages, the department said.“Fast food franchises like Dairy Queen offer minor-aged workers valuable work experience, but federal law ensures that experience does not com...

The owner of the Dairy Queen franchise in Belmar has been fined $14,006 for violating federal child labor laws that involved nearly two dozen employees, the U.S. Labor Department said Monday.

Konstantine Menegatos, who also operates Dairy Queen franchises in Rutherford, West Milford and Emerson, paid a total of $9,764 to 15 employees in back wages, the department said.

“Fast food franchises like Dairy Queen offer minor-aged workers valuable work experience, but federal law ensures that experience does not come at the expense of a young worker’s education or related activities,” Paula Ruffin, director of the Labor Department's wage and hour division in Mountainside.

New Jersey business owners have been squeezed by a labor shortage that became acute during the COVID-19 pandemic. It prompted Gov. Phil Murphy to ease some restrictions, allowing teens to work longer hours during the summer.

Labor violations:Lakewood drywall installer nailed by fines after underpaying workers on big NJ project

But federal law still limits the hours that teens can work. For example, 14- and 15-year-olds can't work later than 9 p.m. during the summer or 7 p.m. during the school year. And they can't work more than three hours on a school day or eight hours on a non-school day.

Menegatos didn't return a call for comment.

The Labor Department's investigation found:

The Labor Department didn't disclose where the violations occurred.

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Michael L. Diamond is a business reporter who has been writing about the New Jersey economy and health care industry for more than 20 years. He can be reached at mdiamond@gannettnj.com.

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