Back Pain Treatment in Toms River, NJ
GSMC Toms River Office
Low back pain is the most common reason people walk into our Toms River office at 1314 Hooper Avenue. For some it starts after lifting a kayak at Island Heights or a long shift standing at work. For others it builds over years until sitting through a drive on Route 37 or a night's sleep becomes hard. Whatever the history, the first job is to work out which structure is actually causing the pain.
Back pain can come from a disc, the small facet joints at the back of the spine, the sacroiliac joint where the spine meets the pelvis, a narrowed spinal canal (stenosis), a compression fracture or the muscles themselves. Each has a different treatment. At your first visit your provider takes your history, examines you and reviews any MRI or X-ray you already have, so you do not repeat tests you've had done.
Most people start with conservative care: physical therapy, a home exercise plan, activity changes and medicines. When pain keeps limiting work, exercise or sleep, we may discuss image-guided options done with X-ray or ultrasound guidance, such as epidural steroid injections for pain that travels down the leg, facet joint injections and medial branch blocks, and radiofrequency ablation when a facet joint is confirmed as the source. For long-standing pain that has not responded to other care, including pain after spine surgery, we may discuss spinal cord stimulation, starting with a short trial.
Garden State Medical Center does not perform spine surgery. If your exam or imaging suggests a surgical opinion is worth having, we explain why and help with a referral. We also tell you plainly about the risks of each procedure and what a realistic result looks like. Results vary from person to person.
Seek emergency care right away if back pain comes with new weakness in a leg, numbness in the groin or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Who provides this care in Toms River
- Dharam P. Mann, MD Board certified, anesthesiology and pain medicine
- Samir Jani, MD Interventional pain management
- Manjula Singh, MD Pain management
- Alisja Hartman, PA Physician assistant, pain management
- Christina DiPaolo, APN Nurse practitioner, pain management
Visit the office
Garden State Medical Center – Toms River
1314 Hooper Ave, 1st Floor, Toms River, NJ 08753
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · 732-202-3000
Learn more
Back Pain in Toms River, NJ: common questions
How do I know if my back pain needs a specialist?
If back pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps returning, wakes you at night or travels into your leg, it is reasonable to see a pain specialist. Our Toms River office can see you without an emergency room visit.
Do I need an MRI before my first visit?
No. Bring any imaging you already have. If imaging would change your treatment, your provider will order it.
Are back injections done at the Toms River office?
Many image-guided procedures are scheduled through the Toms River office. Our staff will tell you exactly where and when yours will take place when you book.
Do you take my insurance?
Garden State Medical Center participates with all Aetna plans, including Aetna HMO, and with many other plans, including auto no-fault/PIP for accident injuries. Some services, such as ketamine infusion therapy, are self-pay. Call 732-202-3000 and our staff can check your coverage before your visit.
Our Locations
Get teaching-level expertise, patient-centered provider collaboration, and personalized care at our New Jersey area locations.
Select a location for detailsFreehold, NJ 07728
Toms River, NJ 08753