The neighborhood
There is a particular rhythm to a close-knit borough like this one. People know the walk along the Shark River, the shops of the West Bangs Avenue district, the seasonal events that fill Memorial Park. Jersey Strong Gym, community yoga, and the fitness programs run out of the Neptune City Community Center keep a health-minded culture humming year round — and the proximity to the beach makes outdoor activity almost a default. Red light therapy fits neatly into that picture: not a fad, but a recovery tool for people who already take their well-being seriously.
“Wellness here has always been communal. Recovery is simply the next chapter of it.”
The science, briefly
What actually happens in the pod
Our NovoTHOR® is an FDA-cleared, whole-body light therapy bed. You lie down for a few unhurried minutes bathed in two specific wavelengths — 660nm red light and 850nm near-infrared. Those wavelengths are absorbed by the mitochondria inside your cells, the tiny engines that make energy. The result is support for ATP production, a calming of inflammation, and a nudge toward the body’s own repair processes. There are no needles, no UV rays, and no downtime. Most people describe it as a warm, deeply relaxing pause in the day.
“Two wavelengths of light, a few quiet minutes, the whole body at once.”
What it supports
Reasons Neptune City residents make the trip
For some it is everyday aches and post-activity soreness, where light therapy can help with pain relief. For the runners and weekend athletes who log miles near the water, it is faster athletic recovery and performance. Others come for healthier, more even skin, or for the deeper, more restful sleep that red light in the evening may encourage. It is evidence-based wellness support — not a cure, not a guarantee — and results build with consistent sessions. You can read the full picture on our benefits overview.
Landmarks & local color
- Memorial Park
- A central recreational space with playgrounds, sports fields, and the community events that anchor the borough’s calendar.
- Neptune City Community Center
- The hub for local gatherings and fitness classes — the everyday home of the town’s active spirit.
- West Bangs Avenue Commercial District
- Local shops, dining, and essential services that give Neptune City its small-town charm.
- Shark River
- Bordering the borough, the river offers scenic views and the kind of easy outdoor recreation that keeps residents moving.
Neighbors from Neptune Township, Avon-by-the-Sea, Bradley Beach, Asbury Park, and Belmar make the same short trip to Howell — see the full list of towns we serve on our service areas page.
A first visit
What the appointment actually asks of you
Very little, is the honest answer. Arrive a few minutes early the first time so we can walk you through the technology and answer anything you are wondering about. Wear or bring comfortable clothing — the more skin the light can reach, the more it has to work with. Then you lie down, the pod does its work, and a few unhurried minutes later you are done. There is no recovery period, no grogginess, and nothing stopping you from heading straight to the gym, the office, or dinner on West Bangs Avenue.
The one thing worth setting expectations about is rhythm. Photobiomodulation is not a single dramatic intervention; it is cumulative. The people who notice the most are the ones who treat it the way they already treat a fitness class at the Community Center — something you return to, not something you try once. Sessions are run by trained staff, the NovoTHOR® is FDA-cleared, and if you are pregnant, taking photosensitizing medication, or managing an active medical condition, speak with your physician and give us a call before booking.
Making the trip
Finding us from Neptune City
Our studio
Cherry Tree Plaza, 2350 Route 9 South, Howell, NJ 07731
Cherry Tree Plaza on Route 9 — free on-site parking.