Spine & Joint Center

Spine & Joint Center is a back and joint pain practice in Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey. The practice calls itself a back and joint pain specialist for New York and New Jersey, and it treats patients of all ages for herniated discs, hip injuries, back, neck, knee and joint pain, sciatica and arthritis.

Chiropractic care is one of the first steps. Treatment can include spinal adjustments, spine decompression, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, rehabilitation exercises and nutrition advice, and the chiropractic services are listed for low back, neck and SI joint pain, headaches, whiplash, shoulder pain, tendinitis, muscle strains, scoliosis, TMJ disorders and fibromyalgia. A first chiropractic visit runs about 45 minutes to an hour, and follow-up visits usually take 15 to 30 minutes. For chronic pain, the team also offers medical acupuncture, nutrition and supplement guidance, and a drug-free plan that can include osteopathic manipulation therapy. Pain management and rehabilitation adds physical medicine, bracing and adaptive equipment, prescribed exercise, and medication when needed.

Regenerative therapy uses growth factors, exosomes and platelet-rich plasma, which is made by spinning a small sample of the patient's own blood to concentrate platelets and growth factors. It is used for disc annular tears, bulges, protrusions and herniations, and for joint problems such as arthritis, tendonitis, rotator cuff tears, meniscus injuries and SI joint pain. Patients begin with an evaluation appointment, and injections are given at a separate visit under mild sedation or local anesthesia. Most patients need two to three sets of spaced injections, tissue typically takes two to three months to repair, and most patients notice a change within six to eight weeks. Very large or badly damaged discs may be treated with minimally invasive spinal decompression combined with PRP or growth factors, and in severe cases arthroscopic surgery can be combined with regenerative therapy. Patients with active cancer or infections are not candidates, and NSAID users stop their medication several days before injections and for two days after. Injection sites may be sore for one or two days, and most patients need only extra-strength Tylenol. Some cellular therapies are covered by some major medical insurers, workers' compensation and auto accident insurance, while Medicare does not currently cover them. The practice says smoking and drinking alcohol can reduce how well stem cell therapy works, and it reports that about 86% of surveyed patients who had PRP or regenerative therapy say they are satisfied and would do it again.

Injection therapy covers muscles, tendons, joints and the spine. Injections are placed with ultrasound and fluoroscopic X-ray guidance, and the range includes discogram, epidural, facet, intra-discal, nerve block, occipital nerve, prolotherapy, radiofrequency, steroid, trigger point and visco supplementation injections. Intra-discal injections can be used to help identify the source of back and sciatica pain or to treat it. Radiofrequency ablation is described as non-surgical and minimally invasive, and the practice cites research showing about 70 percent of patients have prolonged pain reduction. Visco supplementation delivers hyaluronic acid into arthritic knee joints, with full effect possibly taking up to two months and a repeat possible after six months. The mVASC treatment, described as a method for repairing microcirculation, is offered for painful joints, tendons and ligaments.

Non-surgical cosmetic services address skin concerns with Botox, dermal fillers and microneedling using growth factors or vitamins. Filler options include calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse), hyaluronic acid (Juvederm, Restylane), polylactic acid (Sculptra), PMMA microspheres (Bellafill) and deoxycholic acid (Kybella), and Dysport is offered for frown lines. Botox is used for moderate to severe expression lines and also for chronic migraines, teeth grinding and muscle stiffness; a session takes about 15 to 30 minutes, with results possibly visible three to five days later and lasting three to four months. A consultation with the doctor is recommended first, and Botox is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The practice says it offers premium Botox brands. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, and the office is closed on weekends. Prospective patients can request a free MRI review, and a Hilton hotel is located near the facility for out-of-town patients.

Works non-surgically wherever possible and builds individualized plans around each patient's physical, emotional and lifestyle needs.