June is Scoliosis Awareness Month, and Redefine Healthcare wants our patients to be aware of their treatment options. Scoliosis is marked by a curvature of the spine. As many as 6 million people live with scoliosis, whether idiopathic (without a known cause) or developed during adulthood due to degenerative changes in the spine.

Redefine Healthcare provides treatment for patients with varying degrees of scoliosis and who are at different phases of their scoliosis journey. With the recent addition of three board-certified spine surgeons to our team, we also offer scoliosis correction surgery for advanced cases.

Pain Management

A curve in the spine can put pressure on discs, joints, nerves, and other structures of the spine, resulting in pain and inflammation. Pain management focuses on controlling pain and other related symptoms. Redefine Healthcare uses non-surgical modalities like nerve blocks and steroid injections to relieve pain and help patients live more comfortably with scoliosis.

Chiropractic

Spinal curvature can also result in difficulty breathing and other lung problems. While treatment from a chiropractor doesn’t exactly straighten out the spine, it can help reduce these effects by decreasing the pressure the spine puts on structures in the nervous system.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy for scoliosis focuses on strengthening the back and stabilizing the spine. This can prevent the curve from progressing, improve your balance and posture, and reduce any pain and accompanying symptoms. Your physical therapist will also teach you exercises and other techniques to self-manage your scoliosis outside of our clinic.

Spine Surgery

If non-surgical treatment for scoliosis has failed to provide pain relief, or your condition has progressed, surgical options are now offered at Redefine Healthcare. Our three board-certified spine surgeons are experts in scoliosis surgery, including decompression, spinal fusion, and revision surgery. We use minimally-invasive techniques to reduce pain during and after surgery resulting in quicker recoveries.

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According to the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, overuse injuries account for 50 of all sports injuries. While all overuse injuries differ in location and severity, these injuries are mostly preventable.

An overuse injury occurs when bones, ligaments, muscles, or tendons are put under ongoing stress with little time to rest or heal. Because they are the result of repetitive trauma, overuse injuries develop over time, due to training or technique errors like incorrect form, not giving the body enough time to rest and heal, or focusing on one activity for too long.

Common Overuse Injuries

• Tennis Elbow: Lateral epicondylitis, known as tennis elbow, occurs when the tendons in your elbow are overworked, caused by repetitive gripping activities, like tennis or weightlifting. The pain of the tennis elbow occurs primarily where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the outside of your elbow.
• Golfer’s Elbow: Similar to tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow develops in those who repeatedly use their wrists in gripping activities. However, pain associated with a golfer’s elbow occurs on the inside, rather than the outside of the elbow.
• Rotator Cuff Injury: The rotator cuff tendons stabilize the shoulder joint by attaching muscles originating at the shoulder blade to the head of the humerus. These tendons are commonly irritated with repetitive overhead activities or liftings like swimming, tennis, or baseball.

Treatment for Overuse Injuries

• Cutting back the intensity, duration, and/or frequency of an activity
• Ice and/or heat therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications

If conservative treatments don’t alleviate symptoms, a sports medicine doctor at Redefine Healthcare can evaluate your condition and suggest a proper treatment plan, which may include one or more of the following interventional techniques:

• Physical therapy
• Regenerative medicine
• Injections

Preventing Overuse Injuries

• Warm-Up: When your body temperature increases during a warm-up, your joints loosen, allowing for increased blood flow to your muscles, which puts less stress on your joints and tendons.
• Pace Yourself: Instead of jumping right into a new sport or pushing yourself too hard during a new exercise routine, give your body time to acclimate by gradually increasing your intensity and activity level.
• Rest & Recover: Prioritize rest so your body can heal. Listen to your body and stop if you have signs or symptoms of injury.

If these injuries sound familiar and you think you may be suffering from an overuse injury, don’t allow your condition to get worse. Schedule an appointment at Redefine Healthcare with our experts in sports medicine by calling (732) 906-9600.

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Chronic pain plays a role in every aspect of your life, including your mental health. When treating chronic pain, it is essential to address not just the physical symptoms, but the psychological effects as well.

Patients with chronic pain are 4x more likely to develop a mental illness than those without. Like a cycle, chronic pain and certain mental health symptoms feed into each other; a positive mood generally makes for less pain, while a negative mood often heightens discomfort and pain. Ignoring this fact and your risk factor to mental illness is a big mistake; your mental state can exacerbate your pain, making it even more difficult to manage.

It’s important to be aware of your mental state and recognize the effects chronic pain can have on it. Chronic pain is often linked to:

• Anxiety
• Decreased appetite
• Fatigue
• Lower quality of life
• Opioid dependence
• Restricted mobility
• Trouble concentrating
• Trouble sleeping

Redefine Healthcare recognizes the need for our patients to have access to both physical and mental support when working through chronic pain. We understand our job doesn’t stop at relieving the physical pain. This is why next month, Dr. Ketan Hirapara will be joining the Redefine Healthcare team, board-certified and fellowship-trained in both pain medicine and psychiatry. By providing this in-house resource, we are able to integrate measures to improve mental health into treatment plans for patients suffering from chronic pain, aiming to heal both the mind and body – not just the pain.

To learn more on Redefine Healthcare’s mental health services or to schedule an appointment, call (732) 906-9600 or go to RedefineHealthcare.com today.

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Redefine Healthcare is now offering FluidFlow.

FluidFlowis an amniotic liquid allograft derived from the amniotic liquid within the placenta to advance soft tissue repair, replacement, and reconstruction. Using FluidFlow allows the patient’s body to naturally heal and regenerate tissue as needed. The amniotic fluid activates the body’s healing response while limiting any inflammatory responses. This regenerative process also replaces the buildup of scar tissue that would occur during scar-mediated healing, making this procedure an effective alternative for patients with orthopedic conditions.

Amniotic fluid is abundant in growth factors and cytokines. When injected into the body, these growth factors and cytokines have been shown to promote healing and pain management. Health practitioners around the world have used amniotic liquid allografts to treat a variety of disorders and conditions for decades.

You may be a candidate for FluidFlowif you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Sports injuries
• Joint pain
• Tendonitis
• Fasciitis
• Muscle & meniscus tears
• Wound care

To learn more about FluidFlowor find out if you’re a candidate, schedule an appointment with Redefine Healthcare at RedefineHealthcare.com or by calling (732) 906-9600.

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The holidays are right around the corner. Whether it’s planning a safe family gathering or last-minute holiday shopping, the holidays add extra responsibilities and stress to your already busy schedule. Add in increased time with family members or worries about COVID-19, and you’re most likely feeling more stressed than usual.

Stress and pain, unfortunately, go hand-in-hand for chronic pain sufferers. As stress can exacerbate chronic pain, you may be feeling it more than usual this time of year, with no time to slow down. There may not be a way to totally eliminate stress or pain from your life, but you can take steps to manage it. Here are Redefine Healthcare’s best tips to limit stress-related pain.

Eat Well & Stay Hydrated

While we would never ask you to pass on your sister’s delicious homemade apple pie, you should be conscious of the extra sugar, carbs, and gluten you may be consuming at holiday meals. Enjoy good food and good company, but don’t go overboard; poor nutrition isn’t doing anything for your body, and not to mention, extra weight can put extra strain on your joints.

*Dehydration can also affect bones and joints, resulting in stiffness and soreness. Be sure to drink plenty of water!

Exercise

Exercising may be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re stressed or in pain, but getting some movement in, even something as simple as a walk, can make you feel better. Exercise can both boost your mood and ease some of your pain. “Motion is lotion,” and making a conscious effort to add movement into your day can provide some relief to stiff joints.

Take Time To Rest

When you’re allocating your time and planning out activities, make sure to set aside some for yourself. First and foremost, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Not only can lack sleep make your stress worse, but it can also make the pain worse too. Your body needs rest to repair itself, and if you aren’t getting enough, you’re doing a disservice to yourself.

Get Help!

If you’re in pain, you should see a specialist. There are a ton of simple, non-surgical options available for pain management. At Redefine Healthcare, we offer chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy, and interventional treatments like corticosteroid injections, nerve blocks, and more. Schedule a consultation with one of our pain management doctors by calling (732) 906-9600 or at https://redefinehealthcare.com/

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Those who experience joint, neck, or back pain throughout the year understand the weather’s impact on pain levels. As the air gets colder, the fluid in your joints moves less freely, making joints stiff and painful. The cold also causes your body to contract, making your muscles more reluctant to stretch.

If you’re feeling the effects of the colder weather this year, see the experts at Redefine Healthcare. Here are 3 pain management techniques we offer that can help relieve some of your pain this winter:

Chiropractic Manipulation

In colder temperatures, your muscles are reluctant to stretch out, preferring instead to draw in in an attempt to stay warm. Rigid and inflexible muscles can lead to a higher likelihood of injury, in addition to existing pain. Our chiropractors can help keep stiffness at bay with regular chiropractic adjustments to keep your muscles and joints loose and flexible.

Physical Therapy

An exercise plan put together by our physical therapists can help you manage pain year-round. Physical therapy is a recommended method for battling stiffness or soreness in the winter for the simple fact that movement creates heat in your body. Jumping rope, stretching, and other simple exercises help to warm up your muscles and keep them from getting too stiff.

Joint Injections

For deeper pain that may not just be a cause of stiff muscles, Redefine Healthcare offers non-surgical treatments for pain management, including steroid injections. Steroid injections are administered by a pain management physician. Depending on the location of your pain, medication, often an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory solution, is injected into a joint or space in order to decrease inflammation and irritation in the targeted area.

At Redefine Healthcare, we aim to provide all the tools you need to manage your pain year-round. If you find yourself suffering more than usual over the colder months, schedule an appointment with one of our pain specialists to learn how we can help by calling (732) 906-9600 or at https://redefinehealthcare.com/

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Redefine Healthcare is now taking patients at our new location in Bayonne, NJ!

Redefine Healthcare has teamed up with Compass Medical Healthcare Associates to open a new location in Bayonne. Compass Medical Healthcare Associates is a multi-disciplinary practice, providing conservative and nonconservative care, with a goal of returning patients to optimal musculoskeletal health. Aligning perfectly with Redefine Healthcare’s patient philosophy, Redefine is proud and excited to partner.

Dr. Michael Pezza and his team at Compass Medical Healthcare Associates will now be tier-1, in-network providers alongside Dr. Freeman and the Redefine Healthcare team. This location will offer pain management with Dr. Freeman, physical therapy, and chiropractic services.

The Bayonne office is located at 11 West 25th Street, Bayonne, NJ 07002, and is now open for patients. Call (732) 906-9600 to schedule an appointment.

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Redefine Healthcare is pleased to announce that they will be offering chiropractic treatments at their four New Jersey locations.

Many people with back pain seek chiropractic treatment as a means of holistic pain relief. This form of therapy can help with back pain caused by overuse, sports injuries, accidents, muscle strains, and more. Other reasons for seeking chiropractic care include neck, arm, and leg pain or headaches.

Understanding Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors focus on aligning the musculoskeletal structures of the body by using hands-on spinal manipulation and other treatments. The theory behind chiropractic care is that having the spine appropriately aligned helps enable the body to heal itself. Often, this can occur without medication or surgery. According to Redefine Healthcare sources, chiropractic manipulation can restore mobility to stiff or injured joints after a repetitive stress injury or a traumatic event such as a fall.

Redefine Healthcare can treat several conditions including injuries or illnesses involving the back, shoulders, neck, elbows, hips, ankles, and feet. Chiropractic services focus on manual manipulation of the spine to treat lower back pain. During a chiropractic adjustment, the practitioner identifies and manipulates the vertebrae that exhibit abnormal movement patterns or lack robust functionality. The goals include improving function, increasing the range of motion, and reducing pain.

Chiropractors are healthcare providers that specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions with an emphasis on manual manipulation or adjustment of the spine. A spokesperson for Redefine Healthcare explains, “The goal of chiropractic care is to reduce pain and improve function. We also work to educate patients on ways to look after their health with ergonomics, exercises, and other therapies.”

A typical chiropractic adjustment involves a short-lever, high-velocity arm thrust applied to a vertebra; patients often notice an audible release of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. This releases pressure in the joint and brings about a sensation of relief. Occasionally, patients experience mild discomfort, but this discomfort lasts for only a brief time, and most patients are happy with the results of their treatment. Some people see their chiropractor exclusively, and others combine the treatment with conventional medical treatment for a powerful healing combination.”

Types of Chiropractic Treatments

According to Redefine Healthcare, the diversified chiropractic technique may be the most popular type of adjustment used by chiropractors. It is the technique a chiropractor is most likely to use when a patient complains of pain from which they need immediate relief. The diversified method is a way of adjusting a disc herniation, which can cause many cases of neck or back pain. As a patient, you will likely receive this technique if you are experiencing “popping” joints as it can help restore them to normal function.

The Gonstead adjustment is one of the most common techniques used by chiropractors, explains a Redefine Healthcare rep. This technique is used to diagnose and treat a range of issues. For example, if a patient has chronic back pain, the chiropractor will aim to locate the problem area along the spine and make the appropriate adjustments. The Gonstead adjustment involves a thorough analysis of the spine and then realigns it accordingly, decreasing or even eliminating inflammation and pain in the region.

The Logan method of chiropractic care is one of the lowest-force techniques available. The Logan technique emphasizes spinal and pelvic distortions and misalignments that affect the structures of the spine. The gentle pressure used in this method can help realign the bones on the spine, a Redefine Healthcare spokesperson explains: “It is also particularly effective at relieving headaches and migraines. It can release stress and tension and restore balance to the entire body. It can also be used to help manage certain conditions such as scoliosis, pregnancy discomfort, and chronic spine conditions.”

Benefits of Chiropractic Treatments

Chiropractic care is considered a safe and effective treatment for many types of back pain, neck pain, and headaches. As a Redefine Healthcare spokesperson explains, “Chiropractic treatments are great for both chronic and acute pain conditions. Even patients with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis often get excellent results. We also see patients with sciatica, hip pain, scoliosis, and a range of other conditions that all respond favorably to chiropractic treatments.”

Another essential thing to understand about chiropractic care is that it treats the cause of the problem–not just the symptoms. “So many chronic pain patients take medications that mask symptoms rather than treating them,” says Redefine Healthcare. “By contrast, chiropractors work to treat the cause of the pain, which naturally alleviates symptoms. This type of care is a drug-free alternative for many people with pain who wish to decrease or eliminate the pain medications they take that have potentially harmful side effects.”

Chiropractors focus on more than just short-term treatment. A Redefine Healthcare spokesperson says, “Chiropractors help in more ways than just spinal manipulation. We look after the whole person and can advise patients on issues such as nutrition and exercise, which are both essential components of a healthy lifestyle. We help many of our patients with exercises for them to do at home that is designed to treat their specific pain condition, offering them the best odds of recovery.”

About Redefine Healthcare

Redefine Healthcare is a treatment center offering a wide range of services including physical therapy, sports medicine, health and wellness initiatives, medical marijuana, and chiropractic treatments. Your practitioner will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the best type of care for you and will discuss your options with you at the first visit so that you’ll know you’re getting the best possible care. For comprehensive, cutting-edge care, call Redefine Healthcare at (732) 906-9600 or fill out their convenient online appointment request form today.

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Changes to medical marijuana in NJ earlier this year mean that many more people will be able to enroll. The most significant difference is that now, individuals with issues such as certain types of chronic pain, migraines, anxiety, and Tourette’s syndrome may be eligible. Here is some information about the changes and how they may affect you.

Qualifying Medical Conditions For Medical Marijuana In NJ

The qualifying medical conditions that were in effect before the change included:

• Multiple sclerosis
• ALS
• Terminal cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Muscular dystrophy
• Seizure disorders
• Certain types of chronic pain
• Severe nausea or vomiting caused by HIV
• Any terminal illness with a prognosis of 12 months or less

In addition, these conditions may now also qualify you for medical marijuana:

• Migraines
• Anxiety
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Chronic pain related to rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and opioid use disorder

How To Get Approved For Medical Marijuana In NJ

You will need to obtain a recommendation from your doctor and apply to the state. Upon approval, you will receive a card showing your enrollment in the program. To start the process, ask your regular doctor whether cannabis might help improve your symptoms. Any doctor can now recommend marijuana (before this year, you were limited to a list of approved doctors). However, not all doctors choose to participate in the program. If yours doesn’t, you can still find one on the public registry. The physician must meet specific criteria such as treating the patient for at least one year (seeing them at least four times) and conducting a comprehensive review of the patient’s file.

How Much Does It Cost?

Medical marijuana is not covered by your healthcare policy. Prices can vary somewhat but expect to pay around $500 for an ounce (not including tax). The maximum amount allowed by law is currently two ounces per month. It is typically packaged in 1/8 or ¼ ounce denominations.

Where To Buy Medical Marijuana In NJ

There are six medical marijuana dispensaries throughout New Jersey including those in Egg Harbor, Montclair, Cranbury, Woodbridge, Bellmawr, and Secaucus. There are plans for satellite locations as well as new dispensaries to open, but it isn’t clear when this will happen. All dispensaries sell a variety of smokable strains; some also offer oils and topical products.

As the adverse effects of opioid use (and overuse) gain recognition, both doctors and patients are searching for alternative strategies for regular treatments to back and joint pain. Concurrently, the stigma surrounding cannabis usage has diminished, while the recognition and study of medical marijuana’s potential benefits have increased.

What are some of the reasons this treatment is a viable alternative?

It is safe to use in combination with other therapies.

Medical marijuana does not generally interfere with other drugs often used to treat neck, back, and joint pain, such as NSAIDs. Active, harmful interactions with other drugs are not common. In one study, doctors successfully incorporated medical marijuana into an opioid-based treatment regimen. Patients reported reduced pain and lessened reliance on opiates. This opens many new options for doctors looking to reduce dependence on opioids and uncover more reliable opportunities for relief.

There are broad benefits for many chronic pain patients.

As more scientists launch studies on medical marijuana, more evidence on the efficacy of this treatment has arisen. The exact mechanisms are still under investigation, but studies that assess patient experiences generally point to significant reductions in pain. Medical marijuana can both help to reduce the pain itself and help mask pain mentally. Both outcomes are beneficial in therapeutic applications. While cannabis has seen many medical applications outside of pain management, it is right at home here too.

Patients experience fewer side effects.

One of the most significant drawbacks to the consistent use of opioids for pain management are the side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, considerable risk of dependence, and more. That means chronic pain patients often must take medications intended to treat the side effects of their pain medication. Medical marijuana does not have this problem. The side effects are much less pronounced and typically remain mild if they occur at all. The risk of dependency is likewise practically non-existent in comparison. Patients can, therefore, treat their pain and only their pain, rather than a lengthy list of side effects.

There is an improved quality compared to other painkillers.

There are many ways to consume medical marijuana, from smoking the dried flowers of the cannabis plant to taking specially-prepared compounds. The various active ingredients, from THC to CBD, allow for a range of treatment options. In this way, patients can engage more actively with their pain management. Altogether, the benefits of medical marijuana add up to equal another checkmark in the “plus” column: improved quality of life. Better pain relief with fewer side effects allows patients to feel more in control, which in turn translates to a happier daily experience.

Additional Considerations

Keep in mind that the law on medical marijuana does not offer workplace protections. That means that you may still lose your job should you fail a drug test at work – even though you have been approved for medical marijuana. Some patients have sued to regain their jobs after being fired, and most of these have lost. That’s because, under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug, and employers have the right to terminate employees who use it.

Also, growing your marijuana remains illegal. You may only obtain your products from an approved dispensary. There are no home delivery options, either, although these are being explored. For now, patients who need medical marijuana must bring their cards to an approved dispensary and buy the drugs in person.

The availability of medical cannabis is still subject to questions of its legality, and it is not currently available to patients in all regions. However, the rising interest in these and other opiate alternatives indicates the importance of continuing research. Do you have questions about your options for chronic pain management? Contact the Redefine Healthcare team online to start a conversation.

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