Testimonials
When a patient seeks chiropractic health care and we accept a patient for such care, it is essential for both to be working towards the same objective. Chiropractic has only one goal: to eliminate misalignments within the spinal column which interfere with the expression of the body’s innate wisdom. The stories you will read below may seem amazing or miraculous. None of the patients were "treated" for any "condition" other than spinal subluxation.
What miracle could happen in your body if your subluxations are removed?
Wouldn't it be nice to find out??
Children
Pregnancy
Auto Injuries
General
- Alayna's chronic tendonitis
- Jim - waited too long
- Tonya
- Kate
- Danielle
- Margaret’s life change
- Janet’s chronic high blood pressure
Sports
Children
Aside from an upsetting episode of a “false positive” reading for Downs’ Syndrome at 5 months, my pregnancy with Miles had been progressing well and without a lot of personal discomfort. At my last visit before all the excitement began, my obstetrician told me that, no offense, but my pregnancy was “boring”. At 24 weeks, when I drank that sugary syrup for the diabetes test, I knew something didn’t feel right, but since the doctor never called to alert me of a problem, I figured that I was okay.
In my 29th week, a nurse happened upon the result of my diabetes test, which was so high that I was spared the dreaded follow-up test. The doctor handed me a flyer with basic instructions on observing a diet for diabetes and told me to schedule a routine ultrasound to make sure that the baby was growing normally despite the diabetes. With my husband out of town, I went about trying to figure out what to eat for the next 10 weeks. The next Monday, I left my office at lunchtime to go have the ultrasound, planning to pick up my husband from the airport that evening. I noticed some peculiar whispering and re-checking during the ultrasound, and afterwards, I got the good news and the bad news: the baby looked fine, but I was in early labor. I was sent directly to the maternity triage unit, where the wires and monitors showed that I also had pregnancy-induced hypertension. They gave me a room, and told me to expect to be there a while. I left a voice mail for my husband, which he picked up on a layover, saying that I was in the hospital and he would have to find another way home.
And so I lay there, with no toothbrush or pajamas or magazines, and a lot of unfinished work sitting on my desk. The next day, the attending doctor told me that I was one of the lucky ones, because, although I would probably be there for several weeks, at least I was allowed out of bed a few times a day for “bathroom privileges”, unlike most of the mothers on the floor. They gave me steroids to help support the baby’s lungs in case he was born too early, but otherwise, it was all rest and monitoring. They ended up letting me out after only a week, but I was home on bedrest for the duration. Aside from the bathroom breaks (wasn’t I lucky?), the only thing I was allowed to do was go to the hospital several times a week for tests. Finally, at 37 weeks, the OB decided that my blood pressure was high enough to warrant inducing labor. Labor was long, difficult and unsuccessful, and, after 3 hours of pushing, the baby hadn’t budged. Miles was delivered by C-section on Monday, December 4, 2006 at 7lbs, 4 oz.
Because of the risk of seizures from the hypertension, I was hooked up to an IV for a 24-hour round of a medicine known for making patients feel lousy. I slept through most of it, but made an effort to nurse Miles from time to time. He slept through most of it too, and didn’t really eat anything. In fact, he didn’t really eat anything for several days. The hospital gave him some formula, but I was determined to nurse, and I told them not to supplement because I had read that such feedings thwarted breastfeeding. After a few days, he was losing a lot of weight, was getting more and more yellow and drowsy, and still wouldn’t eat. We spent 5 days in the hospital together, but when my time was up, they would not release him because of his low weight and high bilirubin level.
I went home that afternoon without my baby and saw the gifts and balloons in the living room, and I cried: bed rest, restricted diet, failed labor, abdominal surgery, jaundice, weight loss - and now, balloons but no baby. After only a few hours at home, I went back to the hospital. I pumped milk through the night for the staff to bottle feed Miles as he lay under the blue lights. He went home with us the next day, but it took 3 weeks for him to regain his birth weight. The nurses said that the troubles were probably due to the differences in our blood types (I am O+ and he is B+) and a weak suck due to his young gestational age.
On the day he was officially due to be born, something seemed to click, and he started to seem more normal and healthy. However, by then the crying had begun. I have heard people with colicky babies say that their children had a particular time of day they cried, but Miles pretty much cried all the time. The only thing that soothed him was nursing, so I spent most of my time during those first months with him nursing on my lap until we both fell asleep. He was already showing a preference for the left breast, which strengthened over time to the point where he almost completely refused the right.
Meanwhile, the pediatrician had told me to help the crying by avoiding dairy products myself. When that didn’t work, I started restricting other foods – whatever I had eaten on a particularly fussy day got cut from my diet. I cut out all dairy, nuts and chocolate, among other things, and he still cried just as much. Eventually, I decided that at least one of us needed to eat, and I went back to my usual diet (such as it was, scrounging around the kitchen while holding a wailing baby that wouldn’t be put down). At 10 weeks, after a particularly bad stretch of days, I begged the pediatrician for something to help, and was told to try acidophilus pro-biotic and/or Zantac for gastroesophageal reflux. The acidophilus on its own may have made a slight improvement, but no dramatic changes. The Zantac seemed to take care of the problem, and he continued taking it until he was a year old.
My early departure from work ate into the time I had saved for maternity leave, so at 3 months, I was back at work, and Miles went to day care. That first week, he got his first cold, followed shortly by his first ear infection. A round of antibiotics took care of that one. A month later, while we were visiting family in Texas, he became very sick, and the day before we were to fly home, we took him to a doctor who prescribed more antibiotics and a decongestant for his new ear infection. We re-scheduled our flight, and made a chart for his daily meds: Zantac, antibiotic, decongestant, Tylenol, and pro-biotic.
While the first few ear infections seemed acute, causing fevers and sharp pain, they later passed into a more of a chronic state-of-life kind of problem. He got frequent colds, and predictably, one week after each cold, the crankies would take hold, and we would have him at the doctor for an ear check. While the pediatrician had documented 7 bilateral infections that first year, I believe that it was more of a rolling situation, never really clearing up. Almost daily, my husband and I looked at each other and paraphrased the breastfeeding gurus: “Breastfed babies don’t get ear infections”!
When he was about 9 months old, a friend who is a practicing chiropractor suggested that we have him adjusted. However, before we could coordinate it, he entered a rare period without obvious infection. During that time, while he was still by no means a good sleeper, he started occasionally sleeping 6-7 hours at a stretch, and he also discovered a few words like “Mama” and “bye-bye”. We started to think that he was in the clear.
However, by the time he was a year old, the infections were out of hand again, he was no longer saying any words, and his overall health seemed to be deteriorating. A persistent cough that he had had for months seemed to be getting worse and none of us had gotten more than a few hours of sleep at a time in weeks. To make matters worse, despite the pro-biotics we administered daily, the antibiotics seemed to be as hard on his body as the ear infections were. When we visited the ENT at 13 months, he told us that Miles had significant hearing loss, and we scheduled the placement of ear tubes for January 2008. Within a week after the tubes were inserted, a thick, black fluid started draining out of both ears. More antibiotics. Over the course of the next several months, more infections and more antibiotics. While the drainage became lighter, and his hearing improved, Miles was still obviously having a lot of pain. I bought a pillow so I could sleep more comfortably in the car during my lunch breaks to make up for the sleepless nights. We were all exhausted, and he wasn’t getting better.
In April, the ENT said that it was time to take out his adenoids. I asked what would happen if we continued on this path of constant infections, and did not have the adenoids removed. He said: “It could kill him”. With that, I called my chiropractor friend again to ask her what she knew about adenoidectomy. She got on the internet and found me a pediatric chiropractor in my area.
Miles started his chiropractic program at 17 months. When Dr. Damien performed the first adjustment, he advised us to cut back on dairy products and said, “You may notice some extra phlegm.” After the second adjustment, so much phlegm started pouring out that I felt I needed a bucket to catch it all. And then, there were no more ear infections. He still got colds, but the telltale wail was gone. On the day that he turned 18 months old, the ENT declared him ear infection free. We almost cried. And we took our healthy boy out to dinner to celebrate. Starting with the diabetes and bedrest, through the difficult birth and early months, followed by tummy reflux and ear infections, the baby troubles were finally over. And we slept all night.
Over the course of the next few weeks, Miles’ teachers started pulling me aside to comment on how dramatically he had changed: from a shy boy who avoided “circle time” and other kids, he now joined in and danced with the others; he ran around and played more and looked people in the eye. In the nearly three months since treatment began, his language has developed rapidly from a vocabulary of 7 words to over 50, and he has grown out of 3 pairs of shoes! And, at last, we are all sleeping peacefully.
We did initially cut back on the dairy products, as suggested, which seemed to help with the colds, but after his ears got better, we gradually got lazy again. He still gets a lot of colds, but has not had an ear infection since starting chiropractic treatment. The last time he had a follow-up visit with the ENT, the doctor said that it was good that we were doing chiropractic and he was happy that the ears looked better, but he still wanted to take out the adenoids.
I have been telling this story to many people as evidence that chiropractic worked for us where modern medicine did not. At 20 months, our son is a happy, healthy, growing, well-rested boy, with all of his parts still attached. Despite my story, there are those who still refuse to believe that it works, but I am convinced that chiropractic adjustments made the difference for Miles.
CJ was just about 2.5 when I hit the end of my rope with traditional medicine. We had so many doctors that we went to, all poking at him in order to give their two cents to us. None of their advice had made a difference in the long term healing of CJ’s most serious issues. Don’t let me mislead you, he is not a “sickly” child, he has no chronic problems that are great risks to his life. He has normal childhood issues that are more persistent and severe than one would expect. He had/has GERD (Acid Reflux), chronic ear infections and “Reactive Airway Disease (pre-Asthma). The GERD and ear infections are totally foreign to me. I have never had an ear infection in my life, and don’t think I have ever had heartburn either, so I had no idea why CJ was so miserable all the time or why he would never eat a thing. We went to the pediatrician, and they put him on expensive medication, changed his formula, and sent us home. As CJ grew the reflux got worse, the ear infections got worse, and the medication got stronger. When I would ask a question, they would give me answers, but they never seemed to fit CJ. The ear infections started to impair his hearing. His ears were not draining and it seemed to me as if he had a constant headache. At 14 months old, CJ had ear tubes put in. When they put the tubes in, the doctor said he drained about 5cc of fluid out of CJ’s inner ears. I was then told that things would get better. Twenty ear infections and about one year later I received a fact sheet from one of my friends talking about ear infections and chiropractic care. At the same time I decided that I wanted to become a runner, and thought I needed some chiropractic help as well. A few months later my life and CJ’s life changed for the better. We fell into Rhino Chiropractic by luck. Dr. Damien and one of my close friends went to high school together, and she really trusted him. I went for adjustments myself a few times and felt comfortable with Dr. Damien, so I took CJ for an evaluation. CJ loved it from the first moment. The difference in him from walking in for his evaluation to walking out an hour later after his first adjustment was indescribable. Neither of us has ever been to a chiropractor before and we are now lifers. The benefits for me were as immediate as they were for CJ.
In retrospect I was not certain what a difference a chiropractor would make for CJ, or how long it would take to see a difference, but I did not care. Anything had to be better that what we were living with. I could not go another day without trying something else. Dr. Damian was great with CJ and CJ adored Dr. Damian from the start of their first meeting. Dr. Damian made some suggestions as to dietary changes that may help, but was adamant in telling me that I did not have to follow them as they were merely a suggestion. I did follow them to the best of my abilities and without disrupting CJ’s routine and they have also made a difference. In a very short and happy time CJ has gone from having weekly ear infections to NO ear infections. He is not longer snotty and drippy all the time and no longer takes any medication for is acid reflux issue.
As I said above, CJ loves Dr. Damian, and he asks to come visit him and looks forward to our weekly visit to Rhino Chiropractic. The time commitment is very minimal as the hours are flexible and the actual adjustment takes five minutes at most. Dr. Damian and CJ spend more time playing than anything else. CJ jumps right up onto the chiropractic table like he has been doing it forever, and loves every second of his adjustment, which is usually with a very friendly compression “clicker” as Dr. Damian refers to it. I am now a total believer in Chiropractic care even if it’s just as a precautionary or extra measure. I feel like I have done a huge service to my son by not listening to people who do not believe in alternative medicines. CJ has become this happier little person that no longer aches constantly. Go with your gut and make the commitment. It is worth it.
Dr. Ciasullo,
Thank you very much for the excellent care you give to my 2 year old daughter. Megan loves coming to see you, and as you know, she is usually the first one up on the table! I’ve noticed that she hasn’t had any ear infections or rashes since we’ve started seeing you in September. This is particularly nice since we used to visit the pediatrician monthly. We haven’t had to see the pediatrician since July, over 7 months!
From the use of the Bear, to different educational materials, you’ve always been so patient and made us both feel very much at ease. You have such a great way with children. Thanks again for the extraordinary care of both my daughter and me. You’ve helped us to realize that taking a proactive approach to our health with Chiropractic care is much better than a reactive response. It is also much less stressful than taking a miserable, screaming child to the doctor’s office every month. How nice to see her smile when we come to see you! Thank you again!
I first came to Rhino Chiropractic after the birth of my youngest child. I had been experiencing back and pelvic pain for several weeks, and my newborn son was having difficulty nursing because of nasal congestion. My pain was so intense that I wasn’t able to sleep on my back or my side in my bed; I had to sleep in a recliner chair. I spoke to my family doctor about both myself and my son. He thought we would both heal in time, and we discussed chiropractic care. I had previous experience with chiropractic, so I had not doubt it would help – I just wish I had thought of it sooner!
I found Dr. Damien very understanding and attentive. He recommended alternate sleeping positions and a simple exercise with a ball. My son and I returned several times to Rhino. Within a couple of visits I felt much better, and was able to return to sleeping in a bed. My son’s breathing improved by the second visit. I came once a week for a about a month, and the pain was gone. Thank God he fixed that! One year later, my entire family is now visiting Dr. Damien. My husband, our four sons and I are regulars in the office! Colds don’t seem to strike as often, and if they do, we get over them more quickly.
I’ve lost count of the others I’ve recommended chiropractic to. I’m even more of a believer in its benefits now, and this is what I say to anyone suffering or in pain, “You might as well try [chiropractic]. It can’t hurt!”
Pregnancy
I came to Damien in horrible pain. I called and didn't think I was going to be able to walk. Within 3 days, Damien had me walking, feeling better, and out of pain. I've been coming ever since! He is so fantastic! It was also great during pregnancy. I was completely impressed when Damien offered to come pick me up at the house to help when I couldn't get out of bed. Since then I have coming back and telling all my friends to come to Damien. If I could recommend Damien to everyone, I would. I'm working on it! My son had his first exam and adjustment here. He is an official Rhino Chiropractic Care Kid! Thank you Damien! My back and body feel fantastic. And he has the best bedside humor! I have no more symptoms because Damien fixed me!
When I was pregnant with my son Samuel, I was feeling the changes in my body, and felt I needed a more natural, gentle care that would condier my yet-to-be-born baby. I had heard about Damien and Rhino Chiro through other pregnant mothers in my prenatal yoga class, and had heard their success stories. Once I started coming, my aches melted away. Not only did I feel better, it was the only time I could lay on my belly! (He has a table that adjusts for the "bump"!) Once I gave birth, it was natural to continue my care and relationship with Rhino
Dear Dr. C,
I can’t thank you enough for saving me from a C-section! You put so much care, time & effort into helping my little (big!) baby turn from breech to head down, and from the size of her, I’m sure it wasn’t an easy task. I also appreciate how you kept me comfortable throughout my pregnancy (especially the last 10 weeks)! I credit you for not only turning Scarlett but also for making it possible for me to deliver naturally a 10+ lb baby! You are the best. You have a patient for life.
Auto Accident
I have been utilizing chiropractic services since 1984 when I was in a car accident that caused neck and low back damage. Since coming to Rhino Chiropractic in 2006 I have experienced great relief from the chronic symptoms I have experienced for over 20 years. I sincerely believe that regular chiropractic services are preferable to possibly addictive medications or surgery that may not be effective in the long run. I have and will continute to recommend Rhino to family and friends who either have chronic problems or who are interested in proactive maintenance.
General
I have been with Rhino Chiropractic for only a short time, but what a difference in the way I feel! I was desperately looking for help, primarily with an acute tendonitis in my ankle. My doctor had been treating me for this condition for eight months and with no success. After one session with Dr. Damien, my tendonitis was 90% cured and continues to improve.
I was very impressed with the thoroughness of Dr. Damien's initial exam and evaluation, and I felt confident that he could help me with my chronic sciatica and fibromyalgia. I have seen much improvement, and I've been singing the praises of Dr. Damien and Rhino Chiropractic to everyone I know including my doctors.
I’ve had chronic shoulder issues since I was 16 from an accident. I dislocated my shoulder and have had issues ever since. I’m 33 and had never been to a chiropractor. I decided to try Rhino Chiropractic out since I had heard good things. Damien gave me a consultation and my first adjustment. To make a long story short I have been coming to Rhino Chiropractic ever since. My back and shoulder have never felt better. I have less to no pain, a better attitude and quality of life. My only regret was waiting so long. Thanks Damien and Rhino Chiropractic.
I was extremely nervous about chiropractic care, but Dr. Damien made the experience very comfortable. He thoroughly explained everything, and my back has never felt better! Thank you!
I was having chronic neck pain for the longest time. Damien took X-rays, taught me about bone structure, and set me on a course of care. Within four weeks, I sleep easier, move easier, and no longer need Advil to survive.
I came to Rhino Chiropractic in October 2008 with an acute shoulder and neck pain that had left me unable to move for two days. This was not the direct result of an injury or accident but it came on suddenly and painfully. At my first appointment, I reviewed my history with Damien during which we talked about some injuries I had incurred as a child and two car accidents; one earlier in the year and one ten years ago. I had chronic, daily pain in my shoulders, lower back, knees and neck. Traditional medical doctors prescribed anti-inflammatory medications and suggested I change my job and my exercise routine, which offered almost no relief. Since I have begun my treatment at Rhino Chiropractic, I have experienced a tremendous reprieve from chronic pain! And in just a few months! I am able to jog 3-4 times a week, I am not fatigued at the end of the day, and my mood is brighter. I never imagined that I could have a day without the pain I was used to, but now everyday is virtually pain free.
Damien,
This morning I got out of bed at 5am to head to the gym, and found myself up and down the steps at home at least a dozen times before leaving for work. I have come far!
A lot of other Doctors may have taken one look at me and contributed my problems to my weight and just appeased me and treated me without investing the time to get to understand what was going on, but you invested time, you invested in me.
I am down almost 2 sizes at this point in time. Because of your way of doctoring, I slowly felt confident enough to start exercising again and hiking and thinking about biking and moving......just moving. I've attached a picture of me in Fairmount Park because for me it says everything. I climbed a mountain with my healing and you pulled, pushed, and guided me along the way. For me, you took each step with me.
Thank you Damien. I feel like you gave me my life back again....I just can't thank you enough.
I'm not one for words but I just wanted thank you and Kate for all your kindness, and to try to thank you for being who you are, and the type of Doctor you are. You made a believer out of me. I'll never wrinkle my nose again when someone talks about Chiropractors. Instead I'll tell them about the amazing Chiropractor at Rhino...
Fondly, a HUGE fan,
Margaret
Janet’s chronic high blood pressure
After 15 years on Blood Pressure medication and 6 months with doctor Damien my blood pressure is normal!! An unanticipated but possible result of Damien’s healing hands!!
Sports
I'm not an athlete, but I do enjoy working out and challenging myself physically. I was training for a sprint triathalon when my back started to spasm, and I'd get occasional pains in my neck. The dance teacher I work with raved about Damien's practice, and soon others chimed in with similar responses. How could I not look into it? Our first appointment was a consultation, but Damian helped relieve a lot of pain. He set up a reasonable plan and really listened to what I was and was not into. His philosophy is homeopathic, but open to discussion about what works for different people. My triathalon is over, but my running isn't, and I'm feeling great. I see Damien less and less, but still regularly, and I really feel like it's making a difference all day. Now I'm one of those "ravers", and maybe Damien will start running!