There are a wide variety of non-surgical treatment options available for people who have a herniated disc. The first course of action should be to stop doing any activities that are causing pain and to try to gently stretch your arms and legs. Over-the-counter ibuprofen will assist with decreasing swelling. If the injury occurred in the lower back, ice should help with inflammation. If pain persists for more than two to four weeks, seeking help from a medical professional is recommended.

The Today Show recently reported that over 3 million Americans are now using acupuncture. It is rapidly becoming one of the most popular alternative medical techniques practiced in the world. As for physical therapy, most people associate it with sports or work-related injuries; however, there are multitudes of health issues in which physical therapists help people function in a pain-free manner and improve their over-all quality of life.

Physical therapy is defined as the treatment of disease, injury or deformity by not using drugs or surgery but rather by physically helping a patient through massage, exercises and heat treatments. Here at NorthEast Spine and Sports Medicine, our wonderful physical therapy team at our Barnegat office is ready to help you.

At NorthEast Spine and Sports Medicine, we are proud to offer a wide range of services including chiropractic care, led by myself in ourPoint Pleasant office. So what is chiropractic and what does a chiropractor do? Chiropractic care — a branch of the healing arts — is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on the body’s ability to heal itself.

I’m excited to announce, in the Asbury Park Press 2014 Reader’s Choice Awards, we were voted as one of the best in Ocean County for chiropractic and physical therapy. Voting was open to the public and voters were asked to enter the name of their favorite organization along with their town, for consideration.

Important Nerves in the Human Body and What They Do

Believe it or not, there are over 7 trillion nerves in the human body. All these nerves are part of what’s known as your body’s nervous system. You can think of nerves as your body’s electrical wiring — they transmit signals between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body. Find out more about what these nerves do and what makes them important below.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From television news anchors to people in our communities right here in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, many are wearing pink to show their support and spread awareness.  According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. While there is no way to prevent breast cancer, there are a few things that all women can do to reduce their risk:

If you have ever had a migraine then you probably would do anything you could to prevent getting another one. No one enjoys experiencing light and noise sensitivity and wanting nothing more than to lie down in a dark, cool room until the migraine has dissipated. Did you know that certain foods could trigger migraines in some people? While what triggers a migraine is different for each individual, here are some foods and additives to watch out for and food that can help with migraines.

Acupuncture dates back to the first century BC. The idea of this natural treatment is that there are patterns of energy flow all throughout the body, which are crucial for optimal health. You get sick because there are interferences in said flow and acupuncture corrects these disproportions at specific points. We often get asked “what can acupuncture help me with?” The following may pleasantly surprise you.

Joints allow the body to move easily and freely, but even when we are completely healthy, daily activity and exercise can cause normal wear and tear. For those who suffer with arthritis, inflammation to the joints causes chronic pain and stiffness that interferes with everyday life. Take some of the pressure off your joints and reduce the risk of long-term damage by doing the following.