Blog Articles

It hurts when you stand, aches when you sit, and zings you when you reach for something — back pain makes everyday life unbearable. When you’ve tried everything short of surgery, it may be time to give epidural injections a shot.

Most people deal with some form of ankle pain at various points in their lives, especially if they’re involved in sports or regular exercise. But chronic ankle pain often signals a moderate to severe ankle injury requiring physical therapy or even surgery.

Sharp shooting and burning sciatica pain can come on without warning. It can dramatically affect a person’s quality of life and the ability to perform daily functions.

As the body ages, it changes — sometimes in a positive way, and sometimes in a negative way. The best way to stay ahead of the game is to be aware of what some of the common injuries are and learn how to prevent them altogether.

If you’ve ever dealt with chronic shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. From daily pain to impaired range of motion, shoulder pain is a problem a medical professional needs to address if it persists, as it could be a sign of...

Knee pain is one of the most frequent joint-related complaints orthopedic surgeons hear from adults. While common, knee pain can become debilitating if ignored for too long, as it is often a sign of a joint issue which requires surgery.

Addressing your back pain with surgery can be a serious step toward your recovery. You’re ready for relief, and you want to put your procedure in the hands of someone you trust.

Back pain is a frustrating experience most people will go through at some point in their lives. Even a minor ache in your lower back can be distracting. Typically, back pain is linked to common issues, like strained muscles.

Whether you have musculoskeletal pain or other chronic conditions, you want a solution to restore your lifestyle. When your doctor recommends surgery, it’s natural to stop and consider if the procedure is the best option possible.

A small herniated disc in your back can cause life-disrupting pain throughout your body. Though not everyone needs surgery, if your doctor has recommended this procedure for your back pain, you need to learn more about it.

If you have lower back pain, you should have the best treatment for the longest-lasting results. Treatment options are not all equal. Some may not work as well, and the best relief for your back pain will depend on the cause.

Your brain and spinal cord work together to form the central nervous system, a complex mechanism that controls everything the body can do. With a system this complicated and crucial,...

When it comes to any injury, including those to your neck, surgery should be your final option. There are plenty of more conservative methods to treat pain and try to restore normal function to the neck.

Your upper spine, more commonly known as your neck area, consists of a series of cervical vertebrae that connect your spine to your skull. These vertebrae and connected spinal roots nerves provide a significant nerve supply to your head, neck,...

We often take our necks for granted, forgetting the crucial role they play in supporting our heads, aiding in motion and keeping our bodies functional and alert. Of course, once the natural movement of our necks becomes compromised,...

A cervical bone break — more commonly known as a broken neck — happens when there’s a break in one of the vertebrae that run from the spine into your neck. It should go without saying that cervical bone breaks are a significant issue.

If you have ever experienced any sort of collision or sudden jolt — situations typically involving a car accident of some sort — you may have sustained a residual pain in your neck and upper shoulders.

Long-term pain requires innovative intervention like radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to get relief. This treatment is one of the newest options available for doctors to ease the severity of back or neck pain.

With age and with some types of trauma to the spine, bone spurs can occur. These bony growths can put pressure on the nerves or spinal cord, causing pain and affecting your range of movement.

Discectomy is a surgical treatment option for some patients who have a herniated disc which is causing pain by pressing on the spinal cord or nerve root. In this procedure, some of the disc material is removed, relieving pressure and pain.

Microdecompression spine surgery is one solution for patients with herniated lumbar discs. This minimally invasive surgery, also sometimes known as a microdiscectomy, involves removing part of the herniated disc.

Cervical discs provide cushioning between the cervical spine and the vertebrae. Over time these discs can degenerate or can even be damaged through impact or other trauma. When this happens,...

Whether your pain is caused by a work injury, sports injury, car accident or another cause, pain can affect every area of your life, from your mental state to your ability to work or even enjoy personal activities.

By Bryant Acquaro PT, DPT The holiday season is often a time of joy and is supposed to be about spending quality time with family and friends; however, it’s also one of the most stressful times of the year and can take a toll on your mental and...

No matter how much we plan for the future, sometimes life will intercept and grab ahold of the steering wheel, putting us in situations beyond our control. We plan on getting a job.

Sciatica is a common, but misunderstood, type of pain. Up to 40% of inpiduals will get it in their lifetime, and the chances of you developing it increase with age. Most inpiduals with acute sciatica have a favorable prognosis, but around 20 to 30% have ch

Spinal decompression is a medical procedure used to relieve back pain. When back pain is caused by compression or pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, spinal decompression may be an effective method of stretching the spine and taking...

A pinched nerve develops when there is too much pressure exerted on a nerve by cartilage, bones, tendons and muscles. This pressure affects the functioning of the nerve and causes weakness, numbing, tingling and pain.

Physical therapy uses special equipment and exercises to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities that may be impaired by an injury.

When part of your body is in pain, injured or making movement difficult, you need the best orthopedic care available to get you back to your daily activities.

For fitness enthusiasts, experiencing some muscle soreness is a sign of a good workout. However, continuous or increasing pain may be an indication of an underlying injury, which might get worse if left untreated.

Functional medicine is rapidly gaining popularity with its unique approach of focusing on the inpidual lifestyle and biochemical factors of each patient to determine the root cause of your health issue.

Stem cell therapy has shown promising results in better understanding various diseases, health issues and their treatments.

Experiencing brain trauma, like a concussion, can abruptly and significantly alter the life of an inpidual. It can also result in unbearable side effects, including dizziness, memory loss and headaches, which can further disrupt their daily routine. 

Want to get a blood therapy using your own blood? It is not as crazy as it sounds. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy uses your own blood in a concentrated mixture to treat your troubled cells.

Whether you want to enhance your stamina, your flexibility, your strength or cardiovascular endurance, there are things you can incorporate in your overall fitness workout. Training like a champ means being extremely consistent and...

It takes a lot of courage and determination to standup in the face of adversity. What about when the adversity you face is that of a diagnosis of chronic condition over which you feel powerless?

One of the first things to consider when starting your training is that you need to work on all the fundamentals of fitness – coordination, agility, mobility, endurance, power, speed, and strength.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear ‘Chiropractor”? Our guess is that you think of a spine or hear cracking noises. Did you know that chiropractic care is actually a combination of massage therapy, passive exercise,...

Migraines affect around 17% of men and 30% of women between the ages of 21 and 34 years. If left untreated, these migraine headaches can become chronic after gradually evolving,...

Leaky gut syndrome, also known as enhanced intestinal permeability, is an increasingly growing health problem being experienced by millions of people, without even knowing it. This is a condition where an inpidual’s gut lining gets damaged.

Aesthetically Placed Powdered Turmeric in a Bowl Turmeric is a well known spice utilized in cooking a variety of dishes, but it has also been used to treat various health issues for centuries due to its anti-inflammatory powers.

Close Up of a Stethoscope on Black Background with a Red Heart Autoimmunity is a series of immune responses of an organism against healthy tissues and cells. The immune system starts attacking the body itself. While autoimmunity is present in all...

Man with Back Pain Back pain, especially lower back pain, is one of the most common issues that almost 80% of adults face at a certain point in their lives. Back pain can be of varying intensity and range from a sudden sharp sensation to...

Are your allergies making it difficult for you to perform your daily activities? You are not alone. Allergies can get rather overwhelming, especially during summer and spring, and make your life uncomfortable.

Whether you’ve been living with diabetes for a long period of time or have recently been diagnosed, it can be overwhelming to deal with daily. Diabetes can be managed effectively when it’s diagnosed early:

Whether it’s body pain, stress or simply trying to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, people today are faced with many challenges when it comes to their health. Managing these issues is not easy and people are turning to the ancient practice of...

Common Sports Injuries and How to Manage Them There are many amazing benefits to children and teens participating in sports, but injuries are unfortunately part of the game.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with Sciatica, you may feel anxious and unsure about your next steps, but we’re here to help you through it. In this blog post we’ll discuss what the next steps look like, treatment plans, and what to expect when...

February 28 is Rare Disease Day and we wanted to use this opportunity to bring awareness to some of the rare diseases that can impact a person’s spinal health. At NJ Spine and Wellness, we treat patients with everything from common issues like...

When you’re in pain, getting through the work day can be difficult. Back pain, particularly in the low back, is one of the most common types of pain people experience in the United States.

As humans, it is in our nature to want to help others and make other people happy. However, this might make us forgetful when it comes to taking care of ourselves, especially when we are on the go 24/7.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, we think it’s a great time to highlight how showing your body some love can benefit your mental health and overall wellness. Why is this so important?

Technological developments continue to change and improve healthcare. We see this every day at NJ Spine and Wellness in our Freehold, Old Bridge and Matawan offices. All of our teams leverage the latest technology to better serve our patients,...

By Dr. Jared Bornstein, DC, MS, CNS There’s one holiday tradition that most of us are all too familiar with—overeating. From holiday parties to baking with the kids to passing candy around the office, it’s hard not to indulge throughout December.

Whether you have a new years resolution or a goal you are trying to reach, the hardest part is making sure to be consistent and persistent to get to that goal or even surpass it. For this month’s patient spotlight, we wanted to wrap up the year with...

By Matthew Mandoro, DC The most wonderful time of the year is here! While ‘tis the season for giving to others, we want to remind you about the importance of taking care of YOUR physical and mental health during this busy time.

By Matthew Mandoro, DC It might not officially be winter here in New Jersey until December 21st, but many of us have already done our first round of shoveling snow.

We love the holiday season here at NJ Spine and Wellness and want to spread joy to the patients we care for, as well as the Old Bridge, Freehold and Matawan communities. We are so thankful for all our patients—we know how important it is...

By Bryant Acquaro PT, DPT National Stress Awareness Day takes place on Wednesday, November 7. This annual campaign promotes better mindfulness around stress and encourages people to think about the impact stress has on their overall well-being.

By Dr. Mike Zolonitsky PT, DPT Using Physical Therapy to Regain Strength after a Stroke Right now, more than 700,000 people suffer strokes in the U.S. each year. Approximately two-thirds of those individuals need rehabilitation.

By Dr. Aimee Gonzales L.Ac. MSTOM Dipl. Ac Being pregnant is an amazing and life-changing experience. It’s also filled with new health concerns, pains and anticipation, especially for first-time moms. If you experience pain or other ailments,...

By Dr. Peter Bufano, DC World Spine Day takes place on Tuesday, October 16, 2018. This year’s theme is “Love Your Spine,” which will highlight spinal disorders and effective management. Prevention is key so this campaign is about encouraging people to...

Did you know October is Physical Therapy Month? This year, the American Physical Therapy Association is focused on raising awareness for physical therapy as a safe and effective alternative to using medication for pain management.

When you have to literally fight with your own body to do your daily routines, it can really take a toll on your entire being. This has been a continuing struggle for Pam, a patient from Freehold that has been living with...

Guest Post by Dr. Tyler Horton PT, DPT, MCS, MSCS September is National Healthy Aging month and we will be spotlighting fall prevention. According to the US Preventative Services Task Force, falls are the leading cause of injury in adults ages 65 and...

Headaches. We all get them, some more severe more than others! Headaches are symptoms of pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck caused by stress, weather, muscle tightness, and arthritis. With different causes come different types of headaches:

Although not as popular in the media as Physical Therapy, the demand for Occupational Therapy has risen 24% just in the past year, with numbers expected to continue to rise. While Physical Therapy uses exercises and manual therapy to improve strength and..

This month as we prep for back to school season, we turn the spotlight on our patient Marianela, a pre-kindergarten teacher from Jersey City. Marianela is also a business owner where she creates soaps, lotions, lips balms, and body butters with...

For our spotlight this month, we wanted to shine the light on our patient Pamela, who dedicates her career to helping other people in pain as a Physicians Assistant. Pamela is also a high intensity impact trainer who believes in...

Participating in sports is always good for keeping in shape, learning how to work in a team setting, and being disciplined. While there are always safety precautions while playing any sport, accidents can happen.

Our brains are constantly working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week…even when we’re sleeping! As the saying goes ‘a mind is a terrible thing to waste’. In the US alone, 1 in 5 adults suffer from a mental health illness…that’s over 40 million Americans.

Even though we had a late start to the summer, it looks like the warmth from the sun is here to stay! This means more outdoor activities, more trips down to the shore and most importantly, more exposure to the rays of the sun.

Symptoms of Radiculopathy The biggest giveaway of a pinched nerve is neuropathic pain. Paresthesia is another common symptom, with many people reporting feelings of numbness and tingling in the affected area.

We are always honored to highlight our patients, their stories, and their successful recovery from the many challenges in life. In honor of National Cancer Survivors Month, we wanted to highlight one of our staff members at NJSW,...

Life has a knack for throwing curveballs at you when you least expect it. What makes the difference is how you respond. Do you knock it out of the park, or do you strike out and head back to the dugout?

Whether you are 13 or 30, it is safe to say that playing sports is a good exercise for everyone to stay healthy and be in shape. However there is always that risk of getting severely injured if one does not take the right safety precautions.

Whether your passion lies in the arts, fitness or sports, everything comes with obstacles and challenges. Sometimes, this can make you want to give up and try something else, but sometimes it drives you to continue to push forward and...

In honor of Men’s Health Month and Fathers Day, we want to look out for the all boys and men in our lives. Here are 5 treatable health illnesses common in men that you should be looking out for.

It is getting hot out, and I mean HOT! The dog days of summer are looming ahead of us and whether you are lying on the beach or soldiering through pre-season workouts, we could all use a little extra H2O this time of year.

Bottom Line: Few injuries can slow you down faster than a bad back. Irritated or compressed nerves in your low back can cause severe pain into your buttocks and legs. This type of pain results in tens of millions of people searching Dr. Google to...

You might have heard this through doctors, magazines, news anchors, television shows: they all keep telling you that exercise is great for your heart health and improving it.

Losing weight is something that can be difficult for just about anyone to accomplish. A lot of people find short-term success with different diets, but sustaining the weight they lose can be a struggle.

Spring is here! For some of us, this also means the beginning of the sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses. Seasonal allergies affect more than 17 million adults and 6 million kids. Allergies vary from person to person all are on the immune system’s...

How to Prevent Sciatica Bottom Line: It’s easy to understand how lifting a heavy object at work could injure your back, pinch a nerve and cause sciatica.

Take notice of how you are sitting or standing right now. Did you automatically straighten your back? We subconsciously position our bodies in certain ways, one of them being slouching.

HOW TO GET IN SHAPE 2018 Getting into shape doesn’t have to be complicated, yet so many of us tend to over-complicate it.

May is National Physical Fitness Month and we want you to get the most out of your workout with proper form!

 Since May is National Stroke Awareness Month, we are putting the spotlight on one of our amazing patients who didn’t let his stroke keep him from getting better. Following our gut instincts can either make or break us.

Arthritis is one of my most common causes of joint pain. While there are many types of arthritis, most will start with similar symptoms. Many people think they might have arthritis but do not address it with their doctors.

Whether you are a student, teacher, lawyer, or a retired citizen, mental health issues have no target audience: they can affect almost anyone. Taking care of your mental health is extremely important to your overall well-being,...

Spring has finally arrived! For some of us, this also means the beginning of the sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses. Seasonal allergies affect more than 17 million adults and 6 million kids. Allergies vary from person to...

Our brains are constantly working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week…even when we’re sleeping! As the saying goes ‘a mind is a terrible thing to waste’. In the US alone, 1 in 5 adults suffer from a mental health illness…that’s over 40 million Americans.

As you are reading this, your brain (specifically your parietal lobe) is processing each word and sentence and instantly recognizes and understands it. Reading is something we do and don’t even think about it (no pun intended).

There’s just something about young children that can brighten your day, no matter what the circumstances may be. This is very much the case with March’s Patient Spotlight, a fan favorite, Gabby! Gabby is a spunky six-year-old that...

There was recent buzz about the FDA approving the first ever blood test for concussions. By definition, a concussion is an injury to the brain caused by a blow to the head that can result in a temporary loss of normal brain function.

While pregnant, it is always important to take care of your body and stay healthy for both yourself and the baby. Although some women during their pregnancy hesitate to exercise due to the fear of harming themselves or the baby,...

Recently, 77-year-old entertainer Neil Diamond cancelled the rest of his tour and announced his retirement. The singer stopped touring due to an unexpected diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.

The 2018 Winter Olympic Games are upon us, and one thing we might be wondering as we watch, is how do these athletes get into such incredible shape and maintain it? It all boils down to their commitment and how they train.

It’s February, which does not only mean Valentine’s Day is coming up: it is officially American Heart Health Month. As we prepare to plan gifts for our loved ones, we must also take care of ourselves and give some TLC (that’s tender love and care) to our h