Testimonials
Mandarino Chiropractic • Dr. Frank J. Mandarino
Testimonials
I suffered a shoulder injury while lifting weights. I attempted to work through it and experienced a great deal of pain and stiffness to the entire shoulder, upper back and neck area. I also play golf frequently which aggravated the pain even further. After a few months of this condition worsening I was examined by a pain management doctor and an orthopedic surgeon, They were not able to determine the exact cause of the pain and I was referred to a physical therapist for treatment. I also received two cortisone shots to the shoulder and neck with negative results. After sessions of physical therapy the condition did not improve, so I stopped. The pain continued and the entire shoulder and arm was weak and I started experiencing numbness from my shoulder down to my arm.
After a couple of months inactivity and the condition not improving I read an article about you and the technique which you teach called Graston Technique. I decided to set up an appointment being that nothing else I tried seemed to help. After several visits to you, I noticed some improvement and attempted to start lifting weights again being very careful to use light weights. I continued the treatment for several months and the results were tremendous, the pain was totally gone and I regained the strength that I lost and was able to continue my normal activities.
In addition, on several occasions you treated me with Kinesio Tape which you explained would give support to the area and promote healing. It has been several months, and other than some occasion stiffness my shoulder and back feel 100% back to normal. I have since recommended friends to you for treatment. I would like to thank you and your entire staff for the care I received.
Lester S.
Patient
I just want to take the time to let you know how much better I feel since I have been under your care.
In the last 4 years I have been under the care of physical therapists and a countless number of chiropractors for my back and neck injury. I would leave these offices feeling only a small amount of relief. After just one visit at your office I could tell your methods were going to work wonders.
I work 13 hours a day, all on my feel. Before coming to your office it was impossible to get through a day. I can honestly say that I now work with so much more comfort.
I would recommend you highly to anyone who seeks immediate relief for chronic pain.
Unberto D.
Patient
About two years ago, I had suffered a knee injury that hindered my training in mixed martial arts. I was sent to an orthopedic who told me that I had a small injury, and to rest for eight weeks. This method did not work and the pain not only worsened but progressed to my low back. As a result I was not able to compete in a tournament.
I had a consultation with you and you began the Graston Technique along with Kinesio Taping I did not believe that this type of treatment would work, but after a couple of weeks, I began to feel the difference in my movement. Now I am able to run, play tennis and the pain in my knee and low back are gone. You have given me another chance in physical activities and health. You’re miracle hands have healed my injuries and given me my youth back.
Thanks so much for your help.
Stephanie S.
Patient
I would like to thank you for helping me with my dizziness. No other treatments or medicines seemed to help. The dizziness started immediately following my injury at work. The condition progressed to the point where it interfered with my daily activities. I was constantly dizzy. I was unable to get up without my head spinning and having the feeling of falling to the floor. I saw a neurologist and had MRIs, all of which were normal. After you performed the Graston Technique I started to see results, After the first two treatments, I was 50% better, After the fifth treatment my dizziness was completely resolved. Thank you for changing and ultimately restoring my life back to normal.
Henry S.
Patient
I have had constant back and neck pain for over four years after being in a car accident. I sustained three fractured ribs, which lead to pneumonia and pleural effusion, which caused adhesions and scar tissue. This accident also caused me to have herniated discs in my cervical and thoracic spine. I started receiving the Graston Technique by you twice a week, I must say that it has made a significant improvement in the way my back and neck feel. I have experienced more flexibility and less discomfort. With the Graston Technique being done, the adhesions and scar tissues are broken down and I don’t feel so tight. It is amazing how after only one session, I felt a difference. It is a wonderful technique. I would like to thank you for improving my overall quality of life.
Tara G.
Patient
I am writing to report on the beneficial results I experienced as a consequence of five Graston Technique treatments that you recently administered to me.
Your name came to my attention in a newspaper story and I consulted you for a painful foot and ankle problem that had been plaguing me for some time. Long-ago Achilles tendon surgery and a more recent injury sustained in a spinning class at the gym had caused considerable scar tissue to form. This was verified by an MRI performed in July of this year.
I must confess to being skeptical that such a benign and noninvasive approach as the Graston Technique could possibly have any effect on what had become an intractable pain problem. But it did. (Incidentally, shoe inserts and walking with the aid of a cane or crutch were only marginally helpful) Within a day of treatment walking became less painful and within a month I gave up both cane and crutch entirely.
On a three week trip to Turkey last month – a tour which involved considerable walking over ancient stone roads and ruins – I enjoyed pain-free movement.
Last week I asked you to try the Graston Technique on a lumpy surgical scar on my back which was annoying me. By nightfall, the year-old scar was reduced in mass by about 75%!
Without reservation, I would urge anyone with a soft-tissue injury – no matter how longstanding – to give this therapy a try.
John D.
Patient
When anti-inflammatory medication had no effect and after numerous months searching for a solution to alleviate the pain in my arm and neck, I was introduced to Dr. Frank Mandarino who familiarized me with the Graston Technique. After a few sessions trying the Graston Technique I saw vast results in my mobility. I had 75% more strength and flexibility in my arm and the pain was significantly reduced. Dr. Mandarino has given me the knowledge and the tools that helped me ultimately become pain free for the first time in months.
Anthony G.
Patient
Just a note to let you know how good I feel. After suffering for a year from my back injury, I truly had no more faith in doctors or chiropractors. I had been to many when I read about the Graston Technique and found you. It was worth the two and a half hour round trip from my home in New Jersey to get to your office. When I began the treatments, someone had to drive me there because I couldn’t even sit and drive that long. but now, your Graston treatments have brought be back to living pain-free!
Nancy H.
Patient
I cannot thank or praise you enough for your professionalism and skill. After falling an being diagnosed in the Emergency Room with severely bruised muscles and ribs, I thought I’d have to cancel our family vacation while I painfully healed. Fortunately, I read the full-page article in the Staten Island Advance about you and the Graston Technique. After only a few Graston treatments combined with Kinesio Taping, I was able to enjoy pain free movement, sleep, and my vacation.
It has been a pleasure to recommend you and the Graston Technique and Kinesio Taping to my family and friends. Under your care, they too have experienced healing for all kinda of ailments from pain in the neck and shoulders to the lower back and legs.
Now we can all fondly call you “Mandarino the Magician!” Thank you and God Bless you.
Catherine L.
Patient
As you know for 30 years I suffered with pain in my ankle due to an injury when I was 18 years old. The scar tissue from the torn ligaments caused me great pain and limited my ability to be active. I’ve seen many orthotropic surgeons who were unable to give me a solution to my problem.
Thank God I learned about the Graston Technique and your expertise in administering it. After the first visit I felt relief and after 6 or 7 visits you have completely relieved all of my pain in my ankle. I have been able to return to an active life with my two boys thanks to you. I will always be grateful to you.
Scott M.
Patient
Over the summer I separated my AC joint at football camp. I went to regular physical therapy but it was not working at all. I kept re-injuring it after every game. When I heard about your method of Graston and Kinesio taping, I decided to give it a try. It turned out to be a great decision. The first time I received the Graston Technique I was extremely sore but within the next two days the scar tissue healed up, after the Kinesio tape was put on I literally felt the muscle being supported and the swelling went down. Going to your office for Graston once a week for four weeks did the trick. The fifth game of my season, I felt perfect. I had no pain on contact or even after the game, I had full rotation in my left shoulder. Thank you for all of your help and treatment.
Anthony E.
Patient
I want to tell you what a difference the Graston Technique has made in my ankles. Before I came to you I had severely sprained both of my ankles. After that I would constantly roll my ankles doing anything as simple as walking around the house. The Graston Technique has eliminated that. My ankles are now stronger than ever and I can even play rugby without worrying about them. Thank you for all of your help, and I will definitely refer anyone who has the same problem I did to come to you.
Steven S.
Patient
I had suffered from chronic neck and backpains with numbness to my left hand and shoulder, you were recommended to me by my primary care physician. The Graston Technique which are 6 oddly shaped instruments used for deep tissue massage along with Kinesio taping used in sports medicine helped restore movement in my neck and shoulder and thanks to you and your staff I now have full range of movement. No other Chiropractor was able to help me achieve this goal like you have. I am very happy with the results of the treatment. Thank you Dr. Mandarino, you truly care about helping people feel better.
Francisco R.
Patient
In 1997 I hurt my back at work and spent the next 9 years going back and forth with Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, Massage therapists and finally the surgeon. In the end I had a spinal fusion and discectomy, which at least alleviated the numbness in my right leg. The surgery was in itself a success but I still suffer with pain and stiffness in my right leg and hip. The painful episodes, I have come to call them, seem to last longer each time. This final episode took me to the Physical therapist for 12 weeks, and unfortunately I did not have much improvement.
Fortunately, my best friend and Massage therapist had heard about you from one of her clients and recommended that I see you and try the Graston Technique. I noticed improvement after the first session and now I have seen you 4 or 5 times and I can honestly say, I am experiencing a considerable improvement. your Graston Technique has really helped me. I didn’t even realize that my problem was the soft tissue and not a joint or something skeletal. I am extremely hopeful that I will eventually be able to lift my right leg high enough to tie my shoe again. Thank you for your dedication and determination to help me.
Selma C.
Patient
I’m writing this letter to you for so many reasons. As you know I was involved in a very serious accident about 17 years ago. My car (1986 Ford Escort GT) broke in half; I was hit from behind by a flatbed tow truck; truck that was driven by a 16 year old kid. I broke the front windshield with my head and I broke the steering wheel with my chest. My car was a 5 speed, my left foot was on the clutch; my left foot went through the floor of the car, I ruptured my left outer thigh, and it left me paralyzed from the neck down. i was in the hospital for about 6 or 7 months undergoing a very intensive physical and mental therapy. I had a concussion, I used to get blackouts, I had bruised ribs, after all said and done unbearable pain.
Once I was able to walk again, I had to go to a Sports Therapy Center four times a week, chiropractor 3 times a week. Everyday of my life after that accident I had to live with pain whether it was migraine headaches almost everyday, non stop back pain that I couldn’t get out of bed, to my legs hurting so much that it was very difficult for me to walk and stand, no sleep. I know that the best thing I’ve ever done was to come and see. You have changed my life to a point that I think I’m in a dream. Dr. Mandarino the first time I came to your office was on January 2007 until March 2007; I did feel some comfort and relief but it wasn’t long enough. I was working at the time and it got so busy I was working 6 days; long hours & I just could not make it to your office.
I was off form work for the holiday and came back on November 2007 until now, and you started the Graston Technique on my back and December 2007 and WOW… I can not express enough the feeling on movement, the drastic improvement, the turn around on my back and neck. I even started to work out, something that I never thought was possible. Ever since I started the Graston Technique, for the first time in 17 years I can get up out of bed without any pain. My headaches have diminished drastically.
I can not thank you enough for what you’ve done for me, Doc, really. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Jeanette T.
Patient
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Mandarino for all he has done for my son. Nicholas started having problems swallowing when he first started solid foods. I would always have to puree the food or cut it in extremely small pieces. Frequently he would appear to be pained as he ate food and proceeded to spit the food out without attempting to swallow it. When he did attempt to swallow the food, he would gag. Nicholas never wanted to eat and was never hungry. The odd part about this behavior was that it was not consistent. Sometimes he would be able to eat without any problems.
When Nicholas was two years of age, I took him to a pediatric ENT located in Manhattan, New York. At that time, a nasal endoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy and flexible larynoscopy were performed. The results were unremarkable. The doctor felt that the dysphagia was likely secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease and placed Nicholas on Prevacid. There were no improvements from taking the Prevacid and Nicholas’ eating habits remained the same. He ate little at mealtimes and drank a lot of milk and Ensure nutritional drinks throughout the day.
After four years of age, I took Nicholas to another ENT who was located in Brooklyn, New York. Another nasopharyngoscopy was performed which was also unremarkable. Nicholas was again put on Prevacid for gastroesophageal reflux, which did not result in any improvement.
At this time, I proceeded to Nicholas another ENT for a third opinion. Once again, a nasopharyngoscopy was performed resulting in negative findings. The doctor recommended Nicholas see a gastroenterologist for and endoscopy to be performed. He suggested maybe the problem was in an area lower than what the nasopharyngoscopy could see. I proceeded to take Nicholas to a gastroenterologist in Staten Island. The doctor agreed that the endoscopy would be necessary. Once again, this test was unremarkable. The doctor next scheduled Nicholas for a Dysphasia Evaluation and Modified Barium Swallow study. As expected, these results were also unremarkable.
Throughout all these negative findings, Nicholas still continued with the same eating habits. It was at this time I was introduced to Dr. Mandarino, a Chiropractor located in Staten Island, New York. Upon examination and evaluation, Dr. Mandarino found the muscle around Nicholas’ throat to be unusually tight. He felt this tightness was restricting his ability to swallow normally. Dr. Mandarino was very optimistic that Nicholas would greatly benefit from the Graston Technique.
After the first couple of treatments, I began to see a difference in the way Nicholas was eating. He was chewing and swallowing without any difficulty. After the sixth treatment, Dr. Mandarino pointed out to me how the muscles which wee once extremely tight were now within normal limits. At the present time, Nicholas is finished with his treatments and his eating habits are that of a normal four year old child. Without the time that Dr. Mandarino devoted to my son, as well as his knowledge of the Graston Technique, I would still be searching for a diagnosis for my son.
Susanne N.
Patient
Susanne N.
Patient
I broke my shoulder last New Year’s Eve (2007) through a series of unfortunate events. At around 2:00 AM, while out with my friends celebrating in Manhattan, my good friend Ann decided to run over from across the bar and hug me. She lost her balance due to very high stiletto heals, and pushed me backwards proceeding to fall on top of me. This resulted in both of lying on the ground; Ann still intact, and my shoulder somehow in pieces. Not knowing for sure if this fluke accident had caused an actual break, or just a sprain, we decided to take a cab back to Staten Island instead of calling an ambulance to take me to a Manhattan hospital. I ended up at St. Vincent’s Hospital, which at the time was apparently going bankrupt (unbeknownst to me), at close to 4:00 in the morning. After waiting for what felt like hours, I finally had x-rays taken, and was given some sport of insight as to what the problem was. The x-ray technician was the only person that told me my shoulder was broken, and that I’d probably have to have surgery. After enduring the nightmare of St. Vincent’s, I was strapped into an immobilizer, given a prescription for Percocet, and sent home to wait for 2 days before able to see a specialist.
Two days after New Year’s Eve, my parents took me to a specialist in Staten Island where I had x-rays retaken to be looked at by the doctor. It turned out that I had snapped my humoral neck in half, and going to have to take off from school for the entire spring semester in order to endure a very long healing process. My doctor decided to take a conservative approach to the situation by not sending me straight to surgery. At the time I was almost pushing to have the surgery, because I had been told that the healing time would be shorter– which really was the only thing on my mind: getting back to my regular daily life. Like I said though, I didn’t have the surgery, and am now thankful for it.
I was laid up for at least 2 months before I was able to walk around outside semi-comfortably, without any help from my family. I was visiting my doctor every 2 weeks, and every 2 weeks it seemed like 4 more weeks were added onto my sentence. Come the end of May I was finally out of my immobilizer, and not on painkillers anymore. I was still in some pain, but I was told that it was common and that it would probably continue to bother me for a while. I was also told that physical therapy wasn’t necessary. By June I was back to business, taking classes and finding a job and whatnot. I had absolutely no strength in my right arm, and a good amount of back pain causing some problems with my schoolwork. Because I go to art school, I’m on my feet a lot, standing for long periods of time with my arms raised for painting or drawing purposes.
By the time the fall rolled around, and I was still in pain, I took matters into my own hands and decided to come see what you had to say about my situation. My shoulder injury didn’t only effect my right arm, but my entire back and neck area as well. I was constantly begging my parents and friends for back rubs, which was only resulting in immediate relief. It only made sense to come see a chiropractor so that I would have long term relief. The weekly adjustments were definitely helping, but a few days before I was supposed to come see you again, my back and neck would flare up and start to hurt. However, after you introduced the Graston Technique to me, I’ve been feeling better and better everyday. At the start of the treatment I felt immediate relief. The instruments were working placed in my shoulders and neck that I wasn’t feeling with just your hands. I told myself to just keep up with it, and slowly but surely I’d begin to regain strength, and lose the pain. What I wasn’t expecting was how quickly I would start to feel improvements. After going through an incredibly slow and arduous healing process, my visits with you feel like a piece of cake. Minimal effort and time on my part, with maximum results.
I just wanted to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for helping me through this really tough time in my life. When the accident had initially occurred, I felt like my life was over, and that I’d never go back to feeling the way I felt before the break. You’ve given me hope, and physically shown me that I can and will get back to where I was. I would 100% recommend going for Graston treatment to anyone thats gone through a traumatic break. Again, thank you so much!
Jacqueline F.
Patient
I just have to thank you again for your expertise in using the Graston Technique. You have finally given me relief from over twelve months worth of constant shoulder and upper back pain. After the first treatment the pain was relieved. I have been through weekly massages, a run of ten Rolfing treatments and various other things, which only gave very temporary relief.
Even better, your treatment of my migraines using the same technique is truly a miracle! I have suffered for over twelve years and have tried many different drug treatments, lately I was up to having five to six migraines a week. After my first treatment, I did not have a migraine for almost three weeks. I now average one a week, which is truly a blessing. At this point, my neurologist has removed me from all preventative medication, which included various pills and rounds Botox injections every three months!
Jock D.
Patient
My experience with you and the Graston Technique has been stupendous. I have an achilles tendon that a surgeon said was 50% shredded. I was prepared for surgery since I was in constant pain. After 5-6 treatments with you, most days I have little or no pain and certainly will not do surgery now. In addition, the treatment and my arthritic ankle on the other foot has shown equally successful response.
I have already recommended several friends to you. I am so glad I learned of the Graston Technique it has changed the quality of my life.
Eugene P.
Patient
I have been a patient of Dr. Mandarino since the middle of August, 2011. My reason for seeing Dr. Mandarino was I had back surgery on my lower back for a herniated disc. After the first two weeks of my surgery I started experiencing severe pain in my lower back going down to the back of my leg. I couldn’t move from the pain or walk without crying it was so unbearable. Dr. Mandarino started using the Graston Technique. Now after months of treatment I can say I’m 90% better. I am walking and bending without any pain. I am confident with the continuation of my treatment I will be at 100%. I highly recommend this technique as it has been very successful with my condition.
Linda D.
Patient