Pain Management Near You in Ocean and Monmouth County
Pain Management
When pain follows you through the day, you want help close to home. You shouldn't have to drive an hour each way just to talk with a specialist. Garden State Medical Center (GSMC) has seven offices across Ocean and Monmouth County, so pain care is usually a short drive away.
GSMC is led by Dr. Dharam Mann, who completed fellowships in pain management, cardiac anesthesia and critical care at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard.
Our team's job is to find where your pain is coming from. Then we treat it with the least invasive option that makes sense for you.
What pain management means at GSMC
Pain management is a medical specialty that focuses on finding and treating pain. It is not just about pills. For most people, it is a step-by-step plan. That plan may include:
- Physical therapy, home exercise and changes to daily habits
- Medicines, chosen carefully and reviewed often
- Image-guided injections, such as epidural steroid injections and nerve blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation for joint pain that keeps coming back
- Spinal cord stimulation for long-lasting back and leg pain
- Joint treatments such as PRP therapy and knee, shoulder and hip embolization
We help people with back pain, sciatica, neck pain, arthritis, nerve pain and pain after an injury or a car accident.
How we build your plan
Every plan starts with a careful look at you, not just your MRI. At your first visit, we ask how the pain started, what makes it better or worse and what you have already tried. We examine you and review any imaging you have.
Then we talk through your options in plain words. We usually start with the simplest, safest steps. If those are not enough, we may talk about a procedure. We'll explain how it works, what the risks are and what a realistic result looks like. Some people get a lot of relief. Some get partial relief. Some don't respond the way we hoped. We'll be honest with you about what to expect.
You stay in charge. We choose each next step together.
A note about insurance
GSMC participates with all Aetna plans, including Aetna HMO. If you have a different plan, our staff can check your benefits before your visit. Being in network is not a promise that a certain treatment is covered, so we verify benefits before we schedule any procedure. You can learn more on our insurance page.
Find the GSMC office closest to you
All seven offices are open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. One scheduling team books every office, so you can pick the one that fits your day. Some procedures are scheduled at a different GSMC office, and our team will tell you where.
Toms River (Hooper Ave)
1314 Hooper Ave, 1st Floor, Toms River, NJ 08753. This is the main home of GSMC. Hooper Avenue is an easy drive from Route 37 and the Garden State Parkway. Patients come here from Island Heights, Beachwood, Pine Beach, Berkeley Township and Bayville. Visit the Toms River office page.
Manahawkin
1109 Beacon Ave, Manahawkin, NJ 08050. You'll find us right behind HMH Southern Ocean Medical Center, just off Route 72. If you live on Long Beach Island or in Stafford, Tuckerton or Little Egg Harbor, this office saves you the long drive north. Visit the Manahawkin office page.
Whiting
1100 NJ-70, Entrance B, Whiting, NJ 08759. This office serves Manchester Township and western Ocean County, including Crestwood Village, Holiday City, Lakehurst and Lacey. It is on Route 70, about three-quarters of a mile east of the Wawa at Lacey Road. Visit the Whiting office page.
Freehold
322 Professional View Dr, 300 Building, 2nd Floor, Freehold, NJ 07728. This is our home in western Monmouth County, just off Monmouth Road near CentraState Medical Center. Routes 9 and 33 are close by. Patients come from Manalapan, Marlboro, Howell, Colts Neck and Jackson. Visit the Freehold office page.
West Long Branch
100 NJ-36, Suite 1K, West Long Branch, NJ 07764. This office covers the northern shore. It sits at the corner of Route 36 and Broadway/Eatontown Boulevard. It is handy for Long Branch, Eatontown, Oceanport, Ocean Township and Red Bank. Visit the West Long Branch office page.
Brick
1608 NJ-88, Suite 102, Brick Township, NJ 08724. The GSMC team covers our Brick office, on Route 88 just north of HMH Ocean University Medical Center. It is a good fit for Point Pleasant, Bay Head, Mantoloking, Lavallette and Wall. Visit the Brick office page.
Barnegat
249 S Main St, Suite 5, Barnegat Township, NJ 08005. The GSMC team covers our Barnegat office, on Route 9 across from Wells Fargo Bank. It saves a trip for people in Waretown, Forked River and Lacey. Visit the Barnegat office page.
Book a visit
You don't have to keep putting your life on hold. Request a visit online and choose the office that is easiest for you. Bring your photo ID, insurance card, a list of your medicines and any recent MRI or X-ray reports. We'll take it from there, together.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find pain management near me in Ocean or Monmouth County?
GSMC has seven offices: Toms River, Manahawkin, Whiting, Freehold, West Long Branch, Brick and Barnegat. All are open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, and one team schedules visits at every office.
Is pain management just pain pills?
No. Medicines can help, but they are only one tool. Most plans start with physical therapy, exercise and daily changes. When those are not enough, we may talk about image-guided injections, nerve ablation or stimulation. We match the treatment to the source of your pain.
Do I need a referral to see a pain management specialist?
Many plans do not need one. Some plans, including many HMO plans, need a referral from your primary care doctor. Our staff can check what your plan requires before your visit.
What insurance do you take?
GSMC participates with all Aetna plans, including Aetna HMO. For any other plan, our staff will check your benefits before your visit. We also verify benefits before scheduling procedures, because being in network does not mean every treatment is covered.
How soon will I feel better?
It depends on the cause of your pain and the treatment. Some people notice change within days of a procedure. Others need a few weeks or a mix of treatments. Results vary, and we will tell you what is realistic for you.