Gonstead Patient Testimonials Dr Ralph Lemongello
Dr. Stephen Settino, 43, Chiropractor, Tenerife, (Canary Islands) Spain
Dr. Ralph is what we in chiropractic call the Chiropractor’s Chiropractor.
In other words, he is the cream of the crop. I have been a
chiropractor for 15 years and for all those years I have been going to
Dr. Ralph for my adjustments. For most of this time I was living in New
York (about a 45 minute drive each way) and still went regularly to his
office. Now I live and practice in Europe and make it a point to get
to his office whenever I am back in the area. Often times I will go to
see Dr. Ralph straight from the airport before I visit with family and
friends. This is how important his adjustments are to me! The care I
have received in his office has made an incredible difference in my
life. I have been in some tough spots with my back and health and Dr.
Ralph has always helped me.
I first was drawn to him because of the specific technique and approach
he uses to adjust the spine and human framework. I found his name in a
special directory of doctors practicing this technique while I was still
in chiropractic school. I needed to find a chiropractor for my sister
who was living in Bloomfield, a chiropractor I thought could best help
her, after the first three she tried really couldn’t. I was delighted
to find Dr. Ralph practicing 1 ½ miles from where she lived! She was
very pleased with the care she received and the professionalism at Dr.
Ralph’s office. She finally found that she not only felt better but
finally had more energy, more vitality and was functioning better on
many levels – health, work, exercise, sports, socially. These are
benefits we all realize as we “get the power turned on” in our bodies
with chiropractic care! There is nothing like it – Chiropractic is a
separate and distinct approach to health and life. We all want to live
as close to 100% as possible and chiropractic is the best way to do
this. This is why I am a chiropractor myself. We all can benefit from
chiropractic care. Chiropractic is for everyone. Everybody should get
their spines checked, young and older, with symptoms and without
symptoms.
I have been going to Dr. Ralph all these years to maintain my health, to
remain pain free and to continue to live with vitality. Because the
spine and the nervous system control and coordinate all the functions of
our bodies, chiropractic care can take us to new heights. Dr. Ralph is
one of the best around! I can say this with confidence, being a
chiropractor and from receiving his adjustments over the course of many
years.
Michael Petronaci, 38, Police Officer, Bloomfield, NJ
I had been in a car accident, which sent me to medical doctors and
another chiropractor. The MD’s just prescribed pain killers and
anti-inflammatories, which did nothing to fix my underlying problem. The
other chiropractor treated me 2-3 times per week for 8 months.
Honestly, I didn’t feel better there until I stopped. My job constantly
re-aggravated my condition: at the time, I worked the police ambulance
squad and constantly had to bend and buck (often heavy) patients in and
out of the ambulance. Brutal.
I found Dr. Ralph in June of 2005 after a referral from a friend on the
force who swore by him. By then, I was a mess: low back, mid back, upper
back, shoulders, pain down my leg – you name it. Dr. Ralph did a very
in-depth diagnostic on me, with X-rays, and I could tell instantly that
his adjustments were for real and right on target. During a very
intensive period on the job for me, Dr. Ralph kept me physically
together and functioning.
Once I was finally able to shift to normal police duty, the long-term
improvement from Dr. Ralph’s treatments started to take hold. In 2009, I
went over 10 months without pain and without needing treatment, thanks
to Dr. Ralph’s unique approach. When I put my back out again in late
2009, he got me back on track in only 2 treatments! This latest run
without a problem has been almost a year: finally a doctor who really
wants to get and keep me well!
If you had told me back in 2005 that I would ever be pain free and
functioning full out on the job for months at a time, I would have said
you were nuts. Dr. Ralph worked a miracle with me. Whenever I start to
feel trouble now, I know exactly where to come.
Rick Rosenberg, 52, Owner, Limousine Service, Hackensack, NJ
(A former patient of Dr. Clarence Gonstead himself)
MY 29-YEAR JOURNEY
Where does one start? About three weeks ago Dr. Lemongello added to my
treatment plan and I was almost positive that was the missing piece.
Yesterday I had an adjustment and now I know my 29-year journey of pain,
fear, hopes and disappointments is about to end. More than anything I
can finally admit how bad it was without fear of people knowing.
I will start when I was 10 years old (1962) growing up on a farm in
northern Iowa. I do not remember what I did, but that night I’ll never
forget the pain when I tried to go to bed. The pain was excoriating,
and I ask my dad what I should do because I saw him go through his back
problems. He told me to sleep with a pillow under my knees. From that
day forward I do not ever remember having a day where my back and right
hip did not hurt.
Fast-forward to 1975, riding in a patrol car when my partner, who was
driving, pulled in front of truck on a wet rainy afternoon. The truck
slammed into my side of the patrol car. The next day when I got up was
the beginning of a 29 year journey that has taken me to 41 Chiropractors
in 8 states and an equal number and variety of medical doctors, a
broken marriage, never ending pain, and a greater amount of fear. I
learned early on not to tell people how bad it was because they would
just want to get as far away from me as possible.
Now it is November of 1979, and I was being treated at Gonstead Clinic
in Mt. Horeb, WI, but I agreed to go through a battery of tests at
University of Wisconsin Hospital to satisfy my wife. My condition had
deteriorated to the point that I had to liquefy all my food in a food
processor because I could not swallow without choking. I could not
dress myself, so I put safety pins in socks, underwear, and pants; used a
straightened out coat hanger to hook through the safety pins to pull up
my clothes. The pain was so bad I could not drive more than several
miles, or sit for more than a few minutes. The pain was so bad I could
only walk one block at a time. The doctor and a social worker met with
my wife to give her the bad news. She told them she could not take it
anymore, they suggested putting me in a nursing home for physical
therapy, and if that did not work, to live there. When they told me
this I was stunned and shocked. I told them no way, I had faith in Dr.
Gonstead and tried explaining to them my reasons and his new treatment
plan. The medical doctor told my wife we perhaps should give it a try
because he was not going to be able to help me. They offered to have
her come there for counseling. She was furious.
A month later my wife left. I could not drive myself all the way to
Gonstead Clinic from Madison, WI. I was out of options. I rented a
room without cooking facilities from the x-ray technician at Gonstead
Clinic, my brother sold me his old car, I had no car, and dropped me off
at the room, which was three miles from Gonstead Clinic. Plus Dr.
Gonstead had passed away. This was a really scary time; if Dr. Alex and
Dr. Stoner could not heal me it was a nursing home, because everyone
else had given up on me and I would not have any place to go if I could
not care for myself.
The year before Dr. Gonstead passed he had formulated a new treatment
plan for me. The other Chiropractors there told me it was different
then anything they had seen before, thank God it worked. By late fall
of 1980 I was able to work part time, and then back to college part
time.
The problem in my right hip persisted however and finally in the fall of
1996 the ugly monster reappeared. I woke up in the middle of the night
and with excruciating pain again. I found a Gonstead Doctor who got me
well enough to work again, but the pain in my hip and back persisted.
Move on to the spring of 2003, another relapse. Now I was really in
trouble, when I walked I couldn’t straighten out my right leg, I walked
with a limp. I could not get up and down the steps without hanging onto
something because of the pain in my knees. And I could barely walk to
get from the airport to the parking lot because of the pain in my hip
and back. (I run a car service) In fact one day a client asked me if I
was okay because I was sweating so bad because of the pain. And, I
could barely stand the pain in my right hip from pushing on the brake
and gas pedal while driving my clients. Worse of all I had started a
car service in New York to go with the car service I had in Los
Angeles. I could barely stand the pain to fly back and forth, if it got
any worse I would not be able to fly. Then what would I do? I could
not grow either city until I figured out what to do with my back and
hip, and I was running out of time and money because of the expansion, I
was caught in the middle, I had to grow both cities or give one of them
up.
Now it is 2004, enter Dr. Lemongello, my savior. Being a Gonstead
Doctor he quickly adapted Dr. Gonstead’s treatment plan for me. But I
knew there was something missing in that plan because I never completely
recovered and kept having relapses and the relapses were getting
worse. From my past experiences, I was reluctant to approach Dr.
Lemongello with these facts for fear of being given up on. Then about
two months ago Dr. Lemongello started mixing up Dr. Gonsead’s treatment
plan and it really helped, I could tell right away that he was close.
No other Chiropractor had completely put together when and how to switch
up the adjustments.
Then about three weeks ago he added another piece of the puzzle to my
treatment plan, a new piece S2. I just knew that was it, but I was
reluctant to get too excited. After my treatment yesterday I knew that
was it, all the pieces were in place. Discovering that last piece and
Dr. Lemongello’s ability to know what to work on and when was the
secret. After 29 years, 41 Chiropractors, endless medical peoples it is
over. Now I can tell the truth, I do not have to worry anymore, it is
over. The fear of being told I am sorry, but I cannot help you. Now I
can live my life without fear and realize my professional dreams.
You have given me a second chance on life; very few people are that lucky.
Thank You Dr. Lemongello!
Kevin Thompson, Age 42, World Champion, Master [Martial Arts/Karate]
I first came to Dr. Ralph in November of 1991 at the insistence of my
brother, whose whole family were patients, including his kids. I had
hurt my back in a Karate tournament (I’m a professional Karate
competitor and instructor) and nothing else was working for me. After 2
weeks of treatment, 3 times a week, Dr. Ralph made me a believer: in
Chiropractic and in the magic of his hands. I was so impressed with the
Doc’s capabilities that I later brought in my own wife when she had
back problems. Now, nobody puts their hands on my wife, but I trust Dr.
Ralph, and she & I have both been very pleased.
My best Dr. Ralph story is this one. In late September of 2003, I was
prepping for the biggest bouts of my professional Karate career, a big
set fight: the Diamond Nationals World Karate Championships October
3-4, 2003, in St. Paul, MN. [Chuck Norris was one you might recognize
who made his name winning this Championship back in the day.] I was in
another tournament one week before the big Championships to gear up, and
really hurt my back. It was so bad, I felt crippled, I could hardly
walk, the pain was excruciating (& believe me, I can take a lot of
pain). My dream of being the recognized World Champion was crumbling
before my eyes. I went straight in to Dr. Ralph on the Monday and he
went to work on me every day that week. After Wednesday, I still had to
ask if I should cancel my flight, but the Doc said no. Sure enough,
after Friday’s treatment I was back! I climbed on that plane Saturday
morning, went to St. Paul, and won all three World Grand Championships:
Kata, Weapons & Fighting. When I got back, I brought one of the
three trophies in to the Doc! I have won a lot of trophies in my
career, from a very early age, but the only ones to have one are family,
and I consider the Doc to be family.
One other story I’ll share: before the Diamond Nationals, back in
mid-2003, I had a problem with my leg. Now, a leg problem that prevents
you from kicking for a professional in the martial arts is a big thing.
I figured that my leg had nothing to do with my back, so I went to my
regular MD. He gave me a full exam, X-rays, everything: no answers.
My MD prescribed pain killers, strong ones, but they didn’t solve the
problem: the pain was covered over, but I still had no power in my kick
with that leg. In desperation, I finally did what I should have done
in the first place: I went to Dr. Ralph. After about 3 sessions, he
had me back kicking at full power! (Stopped those medications with their
nasty side effects, too.) I learned my lesson. Now, if anything is
going on with my body, I go to Dr. Ralph first. If it’s something he
can’t help, he’ll be right up front to tell me.
I still come in religiously with any problems – and in my business,
things happen, OK? The Doc and I share a mutual love for the [martial]
arts, and he always finds the way to make you very relaxed about being
in his care.
Howie Lyne, 56, Retired Police Officer, Rockville, IN
I was referred to Dr. Ralph by a mutual friend. I was suffering pain in
my lower back. I was diagnosed after an MRI with a herniated disc
which was pressing on my sciatic nerve, causing excruciating pain in my
left hip with each step I took. The only position that was without pain
was flat on my back. Standing, sitting or walking all caused great
pain. I was almost totally immobile.
Before I found Dr. Ralph, I went to the medical doctors at the Veteran’s
Administration. They recommended surgery on the ruptured disc, which
couldn’t be scheduled before April of 2005. Until that time, pain was
to be managed with large doses of Hydrocodone, Tramadol and Ibuprofen.
Surgery and lots of drugs did not appeal to me. I tried a local
chiropractor instead, but his treatments gave only minimum relief. So,
in desperation, I took my friend’s advice and came to Dr. Ralph.
After only three adjustments by Dr. Ralph in October of 2004, the pain
in my hip was greatly diminished, increasing my mobility and allowing me
to stand, sit and walk without the agonizing pain previously
described. I am confident that under Dr. Ralph’s care the pain I suffer
can be almost totally alleviated. I live in central Indiana and
traveled 800 miles to be treated by Dr. Ralph. The treatments I have
received resulting in the reduction of my pain have been nothing short
of miraculous.
I re-aggravated my condition again in December of 2004, practicing
defensive arts. There was no question about what I needed to do: I
climbed in my car and drove the 800 miles again. I’m not too proud to
tell you that I walked into Dr. Ralph’s office leaning on a cane. After
four treatments in four days, I was standing straight, I was able to
handle complex moves without pain, and was ready for the long drive
home.
P.S.: Dr. Ralph has my phone number. Anybody who wants to hear my
story from the horse’s mouth can call me in Indiana. I’ll be glad to
tell them anything they want to know…
Marybeth Levandoski, 46, Registered Nurse Montclair, NJ
Most people think of chiropractors when they are having a back or neck
problem. They hear from others that these pains are eliminated be
adjustments. Yet despite the success stories from friends and neighbors
who have received relief from chiropractors, some are still hesitant to
pursue such treatment. I am a registered nurse who has benefited
greatly from chiropractic medicine. I must say first and foremost that
this is true because my chiropractor is Dr. Ralph Lemongello. My
husband and I have chronic back and neck problems that have been
routinely corrected by Dr. Ralph since 1993. Yet I write today to share
with you the many other benefits of chiropractic medicine with Dr.
Ralph Lemongello.
A few years back, I had an episode of bells palsy in my face. Bells
palsy is a temporary paralysis of one side of your face because of a
problem with the facial nerves. In some cases it is not completely
reversible. I sought treatment immediately with Dr. Ralph who adjusted
my neck and jaw to alleviate the pressure on the nerves involved. I had
a complete recovery.
Our children are also patients of Dr. Ralph’s and not only do we see him
when there are headaches or backaches or hip discomfort due to mild
scoliosis, but also when we experience cold or flu-like symptoms. The
proper adjustment can greatly diminish the length of these illnesses.
The most recent success story involving Dr. Ralph’s expertise was
when our younger daughter (age 13) sprained her ankle while playing
basketball. It was a severe sprain requiring orthopedic visits and
physical therapy. She was in a lot of pain and could only get around
with the aid of crutches. We finally thought to ask Dr. Ralph to
evaluate her. He did his usual thorough diagnostic examination and
recommended chiropractic adjustments to her lower back and directly to
the ankle, plus application of the new Cold Laser to the ankle area to
promote healing. After one visit with him, including the Cold Laser
treatment, her pain was reduced enough that she was able to begin
walking again – not too far, but it was a first without her crutches.
We continued to see Dr. Ralph for chiropractic adjustments plus the Cold
Laser treatments for a total of eight visits over three weeks, and our
daughter’s progress was remarkable. Her orthopedic doctor and physical
therapist were amazed at how quickly she healed. She was even able to
play basketball again before her season ended. We were skeptical of
this new treatment at first, but no one can argue with the results:
Cold Laser added to proper chiropractic adjustments really works!
Dr. Ralph is gifted in his field and has a great bedside manner as well.
His office is clean and well maintained and he is able to meet the
needs of each of his patients. My family’s overall health and well
being is improved because we are his patients. I only wish that more
people would see the benefit of chiropractic medicine and put their
trust in Dr. Ralph Lemongello.
Santo Renda, 58, Musician, Belleville, NJ
Fifteen years ago, my sciatica pain was getting worse to the point where
I was becoming less mobile each day. I went thru’ an entire summer in
pain, despite the efforts of a couple of medical doctors. All they
could come up with was to prescribe pain killers, nothing to actually
solve my problem. It reached the point where I couldn’t take enough
Motrin to cover the pain. I tried a couple of other chiropractors.
They gave me some relief, but nothing that seemed to last more than a
day or so.
One of these other chiropractors finally referred me to Dr. Ralph
Lemongello. At that point, I was a very nervous patient and thought
that I would not feel comfortable with anyone new. I was wrong. Dr.
Ralph upon one visit allowed me to walk over two miles with almost no
pain.
