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Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Aberdeen, NJ | NJ Sports Spine and Wellness
You know the moment. Your alarm goes off, you swing your legs over the side of the bed, put your feet on the floor - and the second you shift any weight onto your heel, a sharp, stabbing pain shoots up from the bottom of your foot. You stand there for a few seconds trying not to hobble to the bathroom. After a minute or two of walking around, the pain fades to a dull ache and you mostly forget about it... until the next time you've been sitting for a while. Then it's right back.
If that's your morning - or your afternoon, after a long meeting - you probably already have a pretty good guess what's going on. Plantar fasciitis is the single most common cause of heel pain in adults, and it has a signature pattern that almost everyone who has it can describe inside the first minute of a visit.
The problem is that knowing what you have isn't the same as knowing how to fix it. Most people cycle through a few rounds of Dr.-Googled stretches, a new pair of sneakers, and a couple of weeks of taking it easy - and the pain either doesn't improve, or it comes right back the moment they return to normal life.
At NJ Sports Spine and Wellness in Aberdeen, NJ, heel pain and plantar fasciitis are two of the most common reasons patients come through our door. We've seen hundreds of cases - from the weekend runner who's been hurting for three weeks to the nurse who's been dealing with it for two years. Here's what we can tell you up front: this is treatable. And for the overwhelming majority of patients, it's treatable without surgery - even the chronic cases. Let's talk about what's actually going on and what works.
- Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Aberdeen, NJ
- Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Aberdeen, NJ | NJ Sports Spine and Wellness
- What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
- Other Causes of Heel Pain We Evaluate For
- Symptoms That Mean It's Time to Get Evaluated
- Our Approach to Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
- Why Patients Choose NJ Sports Spine and Wellness for Heel Pain
- What to Expect at Your First Visit
- Book Your Heel Pain or Plantar Fasciitis Appointment in Aberdeen, NJ
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, from your heel bone to the base of your toes. It acts like a bowstring, supporting your arch and absorbing shock every time you take a step. When it's working the way it should, you don't think about it. When it's irritated - from overuse, repetitive strain, a sudden jump in activity, or poor foot mechanics - it develops micro-tears and inflammation where it attaches to your heel bone. That's where the pain comes from: not the heel bone itself, but the tissue that pulls on it with every step.
The morning pain has a simple mechanism behind it. While you sleep, your foot rests in a pointed position, which lets the plantar fascia shorten. When you stand up and load that first step, the fascia stretches suddenly - and if it has micro-tears, that first stretch hurts. A few minutes of walking warms the tissue and the pain eases. Sit at your desk for an hour, and the cycle repeats.
The pattern is predictable. The treatment, unfortunately, is not - because what works depends on why your plantar fascia got irritated in the first place, and how long it's been going on.
Other Causes of Heel Pain We Evaluate For
Plantar fasciitis gets most of the blame for heel pain, but it's not the only cause - and treating plantar fasciitis when the real problem is a stress fracture is a good way to make things significantly worse. Other conditions that can present as heel pain include:
- Heel spurs - bone growths on the heel bone that often accompany plantar fasciitis but aren't always the actual source of pain
- Achilles tendonitis - pain at the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches
- Insertional Achilles tendinopathy - chronic degeneration of the Achilles where it meets the heel
- Haglund's deformity - a bony enlargement at the back of the heel, sometimes called "pump bump"
- Retrocalcaneal bursitis - inflammation of the fluid sac between the Achilles and the heel bone
- Calcaneal stress fracture - a small crack in the heel bone, usually from overuse
- Fat pad syndrome - thinning or damage to the natural cushion under the heel
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome - nerve compression that can mimic plantar fasciitis
- Sever's disease - growth-plate-related heel pain in active kids and young teens
Pain location and timing usually tell us a lot. Plantar fasciitis hurts at the bottom of the heel, worst first thing in the morning. Achilles-related pain hurts at the back of the heel. Stress fractures tend to hurt constantly, worsen with every step, and are tender when you squeeze the heel from the sides. Getting the diagnosis right is the first job - the treatments for each of these are different.
Symptoms That Mean It's Time to Get Evaluated
Common signs it's time to come in:
- Sharp pain in the heel with your first steps in the morning
- Stabbing heel pain after long periods of sitting or resting
- Heel pain that eases after a few minutes of walking, then returns later in the day
- Bottom-of-heel pain that's tender to press on
- Heel pain when walking on hard surfaces or barefoot
- Arch pain alongside the heel pain
- A heel that aches after exercise, even if it felt fine during
- Heel pain that's been going on for more than two or three weeks
- Pain at the back of the heel that gets worse with stretching or going uphill
- Heel pain that's started limiting how long you can comfortably stand or walk
- Heel pain that improved before and has now come back
If you've already been rolling a frozen water bottle, stretching every morning, and wearing new sneakers for a month with no improvement, you're past the point where home treatment alone is likely to fix this. That's the moment to come in.
Why Plantar Fasciitis Sometimes Doesn't Heal on Its Own
A lot of plantar fasciitis stories follow the same arc: pain starts, you rest, it improves, you return to your routine - and a few weeks later it's back. That cycle can repeat for months until rest stops helping and the pain becomes something you live with.
Here's what's actually happening. Plantar fasciitis starts as an inflammatory problem, but if the fascia keeps getting stressed without fully healing, the body eventually stops trying to repair it and starts laying down degenerative tissue instead - a condition technically called plantar fasciosis. At that point, anti-inflammatories stop doing much because inflammation isn't the main issue anymore. Degenerated tissue is - and degenerated tissue doesn't heal on its own. It needs a targeted stimulus to re-trigger the repair process, which is the piece most home-treatment approaches can't deliver.
Our Approach to Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
The goal is simple: resolve the pain, rebuild the tissue, and fix whatever caused the problem - so it doesn't come back six months later. For most patients, that's achievable without surgery.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Shockwave Therapy
This is our go-to treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis, and it's one of the main reasons patients travel to our Aberdeen, NJ office. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy delivers high-energy acoustic waves into the damaged tissue, breaking down the degenerative tissue and triggering the body's natural repair response. For patients who've been dealing with plantar fasciitis for months or years and haven't gotten anywhere with stretching and over-the-counter insoles, shockwave is often what finally resolves it. Clinical literature puts success rates for chronic plantar fasciitis in the 70–85% range, and our experience tracks with that.
Targeted Physical Therapy
Plantar fasciitis isn't purely a foot problem. It's usually also a calf problem, often a hip problem, and sometimes a posture problem. Tight calves pull on the plantar fascia every step you take. Weak glutes change how you load your feet. Our in-house physical therapy team works the whole kinetic chain, not just the spot that hurts - which is the piece that keeps plantar fasciitis from coming back after you feel better.
Custom Orthotics
The right orthotic does two things at once: it supports the arch so the plantar fascia isn't bearing the full load, and it corrects any biomechanical issue (flat feet, high arches, overpronation) that was quietly driving the problem. Drugstore insoles help some patients and do nothing for others. Custom orthotics, fitted to your actual foot and gait, are a different tool entirely.
LiteCure Class IV Laser Therapy
Therapeutic laser delivers deep, photobiomodulating light into the plantar fascia to reduce inflammation, speed tissue repair, and calm pain signaling. We frequently pair laser with shockwave for chronic cases, and use it on its own for earlier-stage plantar fasciitis where inflammation is still the driving factor.
Manual Therapy and Soft-Tissue Work
Hands-on techniques, instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM), and cupping release restrictions in the fascia, calf, and intrinsic foot muscles. For patients with very tight posterior chains, this is often what makes stretching effective for the first time.
Night Splints and Taping
A night splint keeps the foot in a neutral position while you sleep so the plantar fascia can't shorten overnight - which dramatically reduces the morning pain that defines this condition. Kinesiology taping gives the arch temporary support during activity and can make day-to-day movement much more tolerable while the tissue heals.
Activity and Footwear Guidance
We'll tell you specifically what to stop doing, what to keep doing, and what shoes actually fit your foot type. Specific changes based on your case - not generic "rest more" advice.
Minimally Invasive Surgery (Rarely Needed)
A small percentage of patients don't respond to a full course of conservative care. For those cases, we'll discuss minimally invasive plantar fascia release - a procedure using a small incision with less tissue disruption than traditional open surgery.
Honest framing: most patients who've been told they need surgery for plantar fasciitis haven't actually exhausted their non-surgical options. Before any surgical conversation, we make sure shockwave, laser, properly fitted orthotics, and thorough physical therapy have all been tried. Surgery is a last-resort tool - not a first-line one.
Why Patients Choose NJ Sports Spine and Wellness for Heel Pain
A Specialist-Level Approach to a Condition Most Generalists Undertreat
Plantar fasciitis gets treated very differently depending on who you see. A generalist might hand you a pair of insoles, tell you to stretch, and send you on your way. We treat this condition frequently enough that we've built a specific, multi-tool approach - and we've invested in the technology (shockwave, LiteCure laser, custom orthotics) that makes that approach work.
Shockwave Therapy On-Site
Not every practice has it. For chronic plantar fasciitis, it's one of the most effective treatments in use today - and because it's in-house, we can start treatment the day you come in.
Same-Day Appointments
Nobody wants to wait three weeks when they're in pain. We offer same-day appointments whenever the schedule allows.
A Multidisciplinary Team Under One Roof
Plantar fasciitis almost always has contributing factors beyond the foot. Our podiatrist, physical therapists, chiropractors, and soft-tissue specialists all work in the same building, on the same chart, toward the same plan. If your heel pain is really being driven by tight calves and a hip restriction, we don't need to refer you out to figure that out.
A Treatment Plan With an Actual Finish Line
We track progress, adjust what isn't working, and don't keep you on the schedule forever. The goal is to get you back to running, standing, walking, or working - then to stop seeing you except for the occasional check-in.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit to our Aberdeen, NJ office is a real conversation and a thorough exam. We'll ask when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, what shoes you wear, what activities you do, and what you've already tried. Then we'll examine your feet - palpating the plantar fascia to confirm the pain source, checking your calves and Achilles, watching your gait, and assessing your arch structure. If imaging would clarify anything (ruling out a stress fracture, for instance), we can usually do it on the spot.
From there, we'll explain what we think is happening in plain English and walk you through the treatment plan. You'll leave knowing what we're going to do, what you're going to do, and roughly how long it should take to feel real improvement.
Book Your Heel Pain or Plantar Fasciitis Appointment in Aberdeen, NJ
If you've been dealing with heel pain for weeks or months and home treatment isn't cutting it, let's take a look. Plantar fasciitis is treatable, and for the vast majority of patients we can resolve it without surgery.
Call our Aberdeen, NJ office at (908) 866-7246 to schedule. Same-day appointments available.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Every case is different, and your provider will give you a specific timeline at your evaluation. Acute cases caught early and treated with the right combination of orthotics, stretching, and laser or manual therapy often resolve in a matter of weeks. Chronic cases that have been around for months or years typically need a longer arc, and shockwave therapy is usually part of the plan. Most patients notice meaningful improvement early in treatment, even when full resolution takes longer.
There's some discomfort during treatment - most patients describe it as a strong pulsing or tapping sensation rather than sharp pain - and each session runs about 10 to 15 minutes. We can adjust intensity based on your tolerance, and most patients find it very manageable.
Cortisone injections can reduce inflammation and provide short-term pain relief, but they don't address the underlying tissue degeneration in chronic cases. Repeated cortisone in the plantar fascia can also weaken the tissue and increase rupture risk. We rarely recommend them as a primary treatment. Shockwave and laser therapy work on the healing process directly, which is why the results tend to last.
Almost certainly not. The large majority of plantar fasciitis cases resolve with conservative treatment when the treatment is the right match for severity and duration. Surgery is a last-resort option for a small subset of patients who haven't responded to a full course of non-surgical care. If you've been told you need surgery and haven't tried shockwave therapy or properly done physical therapy yet, it's worth a second opinion.
They're related but not the same. A heel spur is a bone growth on the heel bone - often visible on X-ray - that forms in response to long-term plantar fascia strain. Plenty of people have heel spurs and no pain; others have classic plantar fasciitis without any spur on imaging. The spur itself usually isn't what hurts. The inflamed or degenerated plantar fascia is. Treatment targets the fascia, not the spur.
Latest News in Aberdeen, NJ
Sayreville Bass Pro Shop May Open In Early October: Report
Carly Baldwinhttps://patch.com/new-jersey/matawan-aberdeen/sayreville-bass-pro-shop-could-open-october-report
It's looking more and more like October, according to news site the Sayreville Insider. Other websites report a late September or early October opening."You're gonna blink and the store's gonna be open," the store's general manager told News 12 in this sneak peek video tour of the store this summer while it's still under construction.Sayreville Insider attended the August meeting of the Sayreville Economic & Redevelopment Agency (SERA), and at that meeting, a SERA engineer reported that the store is working...
It's looking more and more like October, according to news site the Sayreville Insider. Other websites report a late September or early October opening.
"You're gonna blink and the store's gonna be open," the store's general manager told News 12 in this sneak peek video tour of the store this summer while it's still under construction.
Sayreville Insider attended the August meeting of the Sayreville Economic & Redevelopment Agency (SERA), and at that meeting, a SERA engineer reported that the store is working towards an October opening.
A spokeswoman for Bass Pro Shop would not confirm the October opening date, only saying they are anticipating to open sometime this fall.
Find out what's happening in Matawan-Aberdeenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The store will be located at Riverton, the 400-acre town home community planned to be built at the mouth of Raritan Bay. In addition to condos, Riverton will have a boat marina, walking trails along the Raritan River and an outdoor plaza. A QuickChek and Starbucks plan to open at Riverton. Sayreville town hall will relocate there, too.
The Bass Pro Shop is the first part of Riverton that will open and it will be an anchor of the development.
The 200,000-square-foot Sayreville store will be the largest single-level Bass Pro Shop in the country. The only other Bass Pro Shop in New Jersey is in Atlantic City.
The store will be really neat inside: It will have a 65,000-gallon indoor aquarium and a 12,000-gallon touch pool with sting rays, which children will be able to touch. There will be a hunting section, a firearms section and the store will sell boats. The store will have an archery range.
Bass Pro Shops said they've designed their Sayreville store to welcome kids and will have hands-on learning opportunities for kids and teens.
Riverton will take up 418 acres of what is currently marshland. The developer of Riverton is Cincinnati-based North American Properties, working with PGIM Real Estate, the global investment arm of Prudential bank.
The developer previously said Riverton could not be built without "critical" financing from the state.
That's why it was such big news when, in 2023, the state of New Jersey announced Riverton was approved for tax breaks of up to 50 percent of project's costs, up to $400 million total. It was given the tax breaks under the state's Aspire Program, which is meant to increase affordable housing in New Jersey.
A big chunk (20 percent) of the 1,300 condos planned there will be affordable housing.
Riverton will have:
Behind the Scenes as Misfits Theatre Co. prepares for their Inaugural Book Musical Production: "She Loves Me"
John Posadahttps://www.newjerseystage.com/articles2/2026/05/20/behind-the-scenes-as-misfits-theatre-co-prepares-for-their-inaugural-book-musical-production-she-loves-me/
originally published: 05/20/2026(MATAWAN, NJ) — . is currently rehearsing for their inaugural book musical production, She Loves Me, which will be presented July 10-12, 2026 at Matawan Regional High School. Photographer John Posada was at a rehearsal to take photos.She Loves Me features music by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof) and book by Joe Masteroff (Cabaret), It’s a charming and heartfelt musical comedy set in a 1930s perfume shop in Budapest. The story f...
originally published: 05/20/2026
(MATAWAN, NJ) — . is currently rehearsing for their inaugural book musical production, She Loves Me, which will be presented July 10-12, 2026 at Matawan Regional High School. Photographer John Posada was at a rehearsal to take photos.
She Loves Me features music by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof) and book by Joe Masteroff (Cabaret), It’s a charming and heartfelt musical comedy set in a 1930s perfume shop in Budapest. The story follows two feuding coworkers, Georg and Amalia, who have no idea they are falling in love through anonymous letters.Filled with wit, romance, and unforgettable melodies, this beloved musical reminds audiences that true love might be closer than they think.
It was nominated for five Tony Awards in 1964 and the 1993 Broadway revival won the Olivier Award for Best Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the 1994 Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.
The production is directed by Christopher J. Guell, with musical direction by David F. Shirley, and choreography by Lizbeth Mongone.
Performances take place Friday, July 10 at 8:00pm; Saturday, July 11 at 8:00pm; and Sunday, July 12 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $25 and online. Matawan Regional High School is located at 450 Atlantic Avenue in Aberdeen, New Jersey.
Follow New Jersey Stage on social mediaFacebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky
Dedicated to producing bold, entertaining, and accessible theater for audiences of all ages, the “Misfits” celebrate the unexpected while embracing the beautifully imperfect. The company brings together talented local performers and artists to create memorable live theatrical experiences for the community.
“With a live orchestra, original choreography, and a passionate cast and creative team, She Loves Me marks an exciting new chapter for Misfits Theatre Co.,” said Dr. Angela Ronan. “We are thrilled to present a production that celebrates both artistry and community.”
Here are some more photos from the rehearsal.
Founded in 2022, . is a nonprofit community theater company serving Monmouth County. The organization was established by Dr. Angela Ronan along with fellow Manalapan residents Diane Greaves, Nichole Lorusso, Susan Garland, and Margaret Saulon. Together, they sought to create a welcoming creative outlet for adults ages 18 and over.
“We created Misfits Theatre Co. to be a welcoming home for anyone who loves theater,” said Dr. Angela Ronan. “Our goal has been to foster creativity, collaboration, and connection in a judgment-free environment.”
She Loves Me is licensed by Music Theatre International.
About the author:
John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.
EVENT PREVIEWS
(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- In 2022, as the world was finally coming out of COVID-19, Aaron Lazar was invited to return to the stage to lead the cast of The Bridges of Madison County, playing opposite Kate Baldwin at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal. Just days into rehearsal, Lazar received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurological disease with no known cure. Thus began Lazar's "extraordinary" journey. (HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- What happens when fantasy meets 50-something reality? Find out when Haddonfield Plays & Players presents Marrying George Clooney: Confessions from a Midlife Crisis from September 4-6, 2026. This is a sharp-witted, satirical play written by Amy Ferris and adapted from her best-selling memoir. (MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- SOMA Stage presents the fifth annual Broadway in the Park concert on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026 at the Memorial Park Amphitheater in Maplewood. This year's concert, Broadway in the Park: Let's Rock!, features Broadway's biggest rock and pop hits from the 1950s through today. Showtime is 4:30pm. (NUTLEY, NJ) -- Fifteen years after leaving her family and stagnant marriage, Henrik Ibsen's Nora returns home in Lucas Hnath's A Doll's House Part 2. Nutley Little Theatre presents this sequel to Ibsen's classic play across three weekends from September 11-26, 2026. (OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Center Players of Freehold will present The Realistic Joneses by Will Eno as its first Signature Series production of the 2026-27 season. Directed by Center Players’ Artistic Director Michael Tota, the production will run from October 2-4 at the Herbst Theatre at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove, marking the first time Center Players has performed in the venue. (ORADELL, NJ) -- Fresh off being named the #1 Theater Venue in Bergen County by (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen poll, the Bergen County Players (BCP) will open its 2026/27 season with Mel Brooks' The Producers. As one of America's longest-running little theater companies, BCP returns for its 94th season to present this area premiere at the Little Firehouse Theatre from September 19 through October 10, 2026. (MILLVILLE, NJ) -- Following sold out performances and rave reviews across the country, The Golden Girls are back and better than ever with a stage show that's more exciting than a trip to the Rusty Anchor. Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue is returning with a US Fall Tour in 2026 that comes to The Levoy Theatre on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Doors are at 6:00pm, showtime is 7:00pm. (UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) presents the East Coast premiere of Destroying David at the DMK Theater at Union Arts Center from October 9-18 and at the Sieminski Theater from October 23-25, 2026. Destroying David is a thrilling, witty and heartfelt solo show about the power of art to help us through our darkest hours. The play is written and performed by Emmy Award-nominee Jason Odell Williams. ATG's new Producing Artistic Director Charlotte Cohn will direct.
FEATURED EVENTS
Matawan-Aberdeen School District Survey Open Until Sept. 25
Carly Baldwinhttps://patch.com/new-jersey/matawan-aberdeen/matawan-aberdeen-school-district-survey-open-until-sept-25
It includes discussions about a potential bond referendum next year. That means the school district may borrow money to make improvements.Updated Tue, Aug 18, 2026 at 8:37 pm ETMATAWAN-ABERDEEN, NJ — The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District is inviting all community members to complete a brief survey to help shape the future of the school district, and inform the district’s long-range planning.This includes discussions about a potential bond referendum next year. That means the school district may borr...
It includes discussions about a potential bond referendum next year. That means the school district may borrow money to make improvements.
Updated Tue, Aug 18, 2026 at 8:37 pm ET
MATAWAN-ABERDEEN, NJ — The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District is inviting all community members to complete a brief survey to help shape the future of the school district, and inform the district’s long-range planning.
This includes discussions about a potential bond referendum next year. That means the school district may borrow money to make certain capital improvements.
Will property taxes go up to pay for it? Since the school district is at the very early planning stages of this process, it doesn't know yet if there will be a tax increase. The MARSD school district is nearing the end of payments on debt from a previous bond referendum. Timing new borrowing as existing debt declines may help reduce the tax impact of a potential referendum, says the school district.
The survey will remain open until Friday, Sept. 25: English and Spanish.
The survey is part of the district's long-range planning process to evaluate needs and determine whether a bond referendum should be considered to fund future improvements. The district is also working with an architectural firm to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all school facilities and identify current and future project areas.
Find out what's happening in Matawan-Aberdeenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
No final project list, cost estimate, financing plan or referendum question has been determined or approved.
“This community engagement process is about more than facilities,” said Superintendent Dr. Nelyda Perez. “It is an opportunity to identify strategic improvements that can enhance teaching and learning, expand opportunities for students, support student success, strengthen safety and security, and ensure our schools are prepared to meet the evolving needs of students and staff for years to come.”
Throughout this process, the Board of Education and district administration remain committed to fiscal responsibility while maximizing available state aid to offset local costs. If a referendum is pursued, renovation projects may qualify for state funding, which would reduce the local share of construction costs.
The timing of this planning also presents a unique opportunity. The district is nearing the end of payments on debt from a previous bond referendum. Timing new borrowing as existing debt declines may help reduce the tax impact of a potential referendum.
“The Board of Education is committed to being thoughtful stewards of taxpayer dollars, and that starts with listening to our community,” said MARSD school board President Sheetal Werneke. “To determine the most responsible path forward, it's important to evaluate how best to both preserve and enhance our schools, so they remain well-positioned to serve the community for years to come. The survey helps us understand community priorities and where residents believe investments should be made as part of this early planning process.”
After the survey closes, the school board and administration will carefully review all responses. The community will be regularly updated on next steps.
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