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It probably started in your lower back. Weeks ago, maybe months ago - possibly from lifting something the wrong way, possibly after a long drive, possibly from no obvious trigger at all. You iced it, took some ibuprofen, waited it out. The back pain got better.
And then the pain showed up somewhere new.
Shooting down your glute. Into your hamstring. Burning through your calf. Sometimes all the way to your foot. It flares when you sit at your desk for more than fifteen minutes. It wakes you up when you roll over at night. Bending to put on your shoes has become a genuine ordeal.
That's sciatica. And if you're dealing with it right now, you already know two things: it's miserable, and it doesn't resolve on its own the way regular back pain does.
At NJ Sports Spine and Wellness in Aberdeen, NJ, sciatica is one of the most common reasons patients walk through our door. It's also one of the conditions we're best positioned to treat. Our combination of DRX9000 spinal decompression, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and advanced therapeutic modalities - all under one roof - gives us a wider set of tools than most practices have. For the overwhelming majority of patients, we can resolve sciatica without surgery, without injections, and without long-term pain medication.
Let's talk about what's actually causing your pain and what we can do about it.
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body. It starts as a bundle of five nerve roots in your lower spine, exits through small openings between the vertebrae, merges in your pelvis, and runs down the back of each leg all the way to your foot. When any of those nerve roots - or the sciatic nerve itself further down - gets compressed, irritated, or inflamed, the signal it carries gets disrupted. The result is the very specific pattern of symptoms we call sciatica: pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates from the lower back into the buttock and down the leg.
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The real question is: what's compressing or irritating the nerve in the first place? Because the answer determines what actually works to fix it.
One of the reasons sciatica doesn't respond to generic treatment is that "sciatica" covers several very different underlying problems.
The most common cause. When the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes out against the fibrous outer layer - or breaks through it entirely - it can press directly against a nerve root. That compression, combined with the chemical irritation from the disc material itself, creates classic shooting leg pain.
A narrowing of the spinal canal or the small openings where nerves exit the spine. Common in patients over 50. Usually causes leg pain that's worse with standing or walking and eases when you sit down or lean forward on a shopping cart.
Age-related wearing of the spinal discs reduces cushioning between vertebrae and can lead to nerve compression over time.
One vertebra has shifted forward relative to the one below it, narrowing the space where a nerve exits.
The small joints at the back of the spine become inflamed or develop bone spurs that encroach on nearby nerves.
The sciatic nerve passes under (and in some people, through) the piriformis muscle deep in the buttock. When that muscle is tight, spasming, or inflamed, it can compress the nerve - creating sciatica symptoms that have nothing to do with your spine. This one gets missed a lot, and the treatment is completely different from disc-related sciatica.
Weight distribution changes and hormonal ligament laxity during pregnancy can put new pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Our Aberdeen, NJ team evaluates for all of these, because treating a disc herniation like it's piriformis syndrome (or vice versa) is how patients end up stuck in treatment that isn't working.
Sciatica has a signature pattern, but it shows up differently in different patients. Common symptoms:
If your symptoms appear on both sides at once, or you're experiencing loss of bladder or bowel control, saddle-area numbness, or rapidly progressing leg weakness - that's a red flag. Those symptoms can indicate cauda equina syndrome or another urgent spinal issue, and you should go to an emergency room, not a clinic.
A lot of patients have been through a standard treatment cycle before they walk into our Aberdeen, NJ office. Rest, anti-inflammatories, maybe a round of muscle relaxants. Physical therapy somewhere that treated the back generically. Maybe an epidural injection that helped for a few weeks, then wore off. By the time they get to us, they're frustrated, skeptical, and often being nudged toward surgery.
Here's why that cycle is common. Epidural steroid injections reduce inflammation around the nerve, which can provide real short-term relief - but they don't address the mechanical compression that's causing the inflammation in the first place. When the steroid wears off, the compression is still there. Generic physical therapy helps some patients and frustrates others because it doesn't distinguish between a compressed disc that needs decompression and a piriformis issue that needs completely different work.
Effective sciatica treatment has to do two things: identify the specific source of the nerve compression and address it mechanically. That's what our approach is built around.
For disc-related sciatica, the DRX9000 is one of the most effective non-surgical tools available. It uses precisely calibrated, computer-controlled traction to gently separate the vertebrae, creating negative pressure within the disc. That negative pressure can help retract disc material away from compressed nerve roots and improve circulation to the disc itself, supporting healing. The treatment is comfortable, drug-free, and has strong clinical evidence behind it for herniated discs and lumbar radiculopathy - which is why it's our primary treatment for most disc-related sciatica cases.
Not generic back exercises. Our physical therapists identify whether your sciatica responds better to flexion-based or extension-based movement (disc patients and stenosis patients often need opposite approaches), rebuild core and hip stability, and retrain the movement patterns that put recurring strain on your lower back. This is the piece that keeps sciatica from returning after the acute symptoms resolve.
Specific, targeted spinal adjustments restore proper motion to segments that have become restricted and are contributing to nerve compression. For many patients, chiropractic is the piece that relieves acute symptoms fastest.
Therapeutic laser reduces inflammation around irritated nerve roots and soft tissue, supports cellular repair, and can significantly reduce pain. We often use it alongside spinal decompression to accelerate relief during the early phase of treatment.
For piriformis-related sciatica, and for the muscular tightness that almost always accompanies disc issues, hands-on work - including instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization and cupping - releases restrictions that are contributing to compression.
A meaningful evidence base exists for acupuncture in sciatica, particularly for patients who haven't responded well to other approaches or who are looking for additional pain modulation alongside their primary treatment.
When needed, our pain management team can provide targeted interventions to help control acute pain while the mechanical treatment takes effect. The goal is always to get you moving out of the pain cycle, not to build dependence on medications or injections.
What you do in the 23 hours a day you're not in our office matters more than the one hour you are. We'll give you specific guidance on posture, work setup, sleep position, and which movements to avoid or embrace - based on your specific type of sciatica.
For a small subset of patients, surgery genuinely is the right answer. Progressive neurological weakness, cauda equina syndrome, or severe sciatica that hasn't responded to a thorough course of conservative care are legitimate surgical indications. In those cases, we coordinate with spine surgeons who use minimally invasive techniques - smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, and lower infection risk than traditional open procedures.
The honest reality: most sciatica patients do not need surgery. Most studies and clinical guidelines now recommend conservative treatment as first-line for disc-related sciatica, with surgery reserved for cases that fail to respond or involve significant neurological compromise. Before any surgical conversation, we want to know that spinal decompression, chiropractic, targeted PT, and laser therapy have all been genuinely attempted.
The word "spine" is in our name. Sciatica and disc-related conditions are a core focus of what we do, not a side service. Our team sees these cases every day and has built a specific, multi-tool approach around them.
Not every practice has it. The DRX9000 is one of the most evidence-supported non-surgical options for herniated discs and lumbar radiculopathy, and having it in-house means we can start treatment the day you come in.
Nobody dealing with sciatica wants to be told to wait three weeks for an opening. We offer same-day appointments whenever the schedule allows.
Sciatica responds best when multiple approaches work together. Our chiropractors, physical therapists, pain management specialists, acupuncturists, and podiatrist work in the same building, on the same chart, toward the same plan. If your sciatica is disc-related but has a piriformis component on top of it (a very common combination), we can address both at once without sending you to a second practice.
We track progress, adjust what isn't working, and don't keep you coming back indefinitely. The goal is to get you back to sitting through dinner, sleeping through the night, and doing the things you've been avoiding - then to stop seeing you except for the occasional check-in.
Your first sciatica evaluation at our Aberdeen, NJ office is thorough. We'll ask when it started, what makes it better or worse, how it's affecting your daily life, and what you've already tried. Then we'll do a comprehensive physical and neurological exam - testing reflexes, sensation, strength, and range of motion, and running specific orthopedic tests to help identify whether your sciatica is disc-related, stenosis-related, piriformis-related, or something else. If imaging would clarify the picture, we have X-ray on-site.
From there, we explain what we think is going on in plain English and walk you through your treatment options. You'll leave knowing what the plan is, what it involves, and roughly how long it should take to feel real improvement.
If you've been dealing with sciatica for weeks or months - and nothing you've tried has actually resolved it - let's take a look. For the vast majority of patients, we can get sciatica resolved without surgery, without long-term medication, and without waiting it out indefinitely.
Call our Aberdeen, NJ office at (908) 866-7246 to schedule. Same-day appointments available.
It depends on the cause and how long it's been going on. Acute disc-related sciatica caught early often responds to spinal decompression, chiropractic, and targeted PT within a few weeks. Chronic cases with long-standing disc involvement typically need a longer treatment arc. Most patients feel meaningful improvement in the first few weeks, even when full resolution takes longer. Your provider will give you a more specific timeline after your evaluation.
No. Most patients describe it as a gentle stretching sensation, and many find it genuinely relaxing. You lie on a specialized, computer-controlled table while it applies precise, calibrated traction. Sessions typically run 20â30 minutes, and most patients are comfortable throughout.
Not always. A thorough physical exam and targeted orthopedic testing can identify the cause of most sciatica cases. If imaging is needed - to distinguish between possible causes, rule out a serious issue, or confirm a surgical indication - we'll let you know. We don't order imaging reflexively, because it often doesn't change the treatment plan for conservative care.
In most cases, yes. Current clinical guidelines recommend conservative treatment as the first line for disc-related sciatica, with surgery reserved for cases that don't respond or involve progressive neurological weakness. Many patients who've been told they need surgery find that spinal decompression, chiropractic care, and proper physical therapy resolve their symptoms without it. If you've been told surgery is your only option, a second opinion is almost always worth getting.
A lot of conditions mimic sciatica - hip issues, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, piriformis syndrome, and certain nerve entrapments lower in the leg can all produce similar patterns. Getting the right diagnosis is the first step. If what you thought was sciatica hasn't responded to standard treatment, there's a good chance the original diagnosis was incomplete. We'll work out exactly what's driving your pain before recommending any treatment.
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.
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:
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.
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
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...
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.
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.