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person making a heart shape with their handsRiver Chiropractic & Wellness Reviews

What Our Rocky River Patients Say

At River Chiropractic & Wellness we love when patients share with us their feedback and comments after chiropractic care. Please read our patient testimonials below to see what other people have achieved through their tailored treatment plans with us.

Share your stories too! Click here to send us your feedback so that we can help to spread the word about the benefits of natural chiropractic care.

For more information or to schedule an appointment contact us today.


Feeling Great

After going through my chemotherapy treatment I’ve noticed a huge difference to my body. I felt completely restless, weak, stressed, not to mention losing my hair was a big deal to me. After I heard about this ZYTO program from my friend Britney who works there, I decided to give this ZYTO a try, I mean what could go wrong, right?

read more from Heather »

Well after giving this program a try, I’ve never this good way before even I was diagnosed with cancer. Dr. Laura is one of the best chiropractors I know. She is completely understanding and will do whatever it takes to make you feel better. I’m now taking some vitamins to make my immune system a lot more strong and keep my digestive system less acidic. I strongly recommend everyone giving this try. I guarantee you will notice a huge difference to your body and you will feel so much better in no time. Thank you again, Dr. Laura, for all your help.

- Heather K.

Asthma and Chest Pain

When I came in for my first appointment with Dr. Laura, I was a mess. I had been having this horrible “mystery” chest pain for about 7 months prior and had been told continually by my primary care physician (who is no longer my doctor) that all the pain was a result of my asthma. After all, they had taken several EKGs and they were all normal.

read more from Liz »

All my blood work had been coming back normal, and the only idea my doctor could come up with was that I had severe asthma and high anxiety levels and needed to be on high doses of antidepressant medication as well as an increased dosage of inhaled steroids. After seeing three different doctors, and none of them having helped me a single bit, I decided to give acupuncture a try. Dr. Laura and her staff were very warm and inviting, and I immediately felt comfortable around them. Dr. Laura used the ZYTO™ LSAPro software to decide which treatment and supplements would be best for my body, and took x-rays. After only my first adjustment and acupuncture session, I felt that some weight had finally lifted off my chest. (Almost literally!) I was taking deep relaxing breaths for the first time in months! Dr. Laura continued the acupuncture and chiropractic treatment several times a week for a month, then gradually tapered down each month so that now, three months later, I am only receiving treatment every two weeks. She also helped me choose some whole food supplements by Standard Process that support my upper respiratory system, and they have helped my lungs to heal from the tissue damage and rid me of the dependence of sucking on an inhaler for the past several years. My lungs have actually gotten much stronger on their own, and I am very happy to say that I have not used my inhaler regularly in almost a month now. Thanks to her chiropractic work, it turns out much of my chest pain has been alleviated by simply adjusting my ribs! She also helped me choose a supplement that would support my nervous system- after all, feeling like you’re going to have a heart attack every day for several months doesn’t do much for your anxiety levels! I am so happy I found Dr. Laura and her team. I am an experienced marathon runner, and I was afraid I’d never run again because of the pain. Heck, I was afraid to leave my house some days because I didn’t know how my body would respond in business meetings, even at the grocery store or just out for a walk with my fiance. These supplements have helped me to remain calm while my body is healing, and that has made all the difference. I now have a new Primary Care Physician who believes in my accupunture and chiropractic treatments and the supplements I have been given. I am confident that with Dr. Laura’s help, not only will I make a full recovery, but I will feel better than I ever have before! Thank you Dr. Laura!

- Liz M.

Lower Back Pain Since I Was a Child!

I have had lower back pain since I was a child. I could only sleep flat on my back or had terrible pain. When I was pregnant and had to sleep on my side, I slept no more than 20 minutes at a time for months and was exhausted before the baby came. I’d had pain my whole life and didn’t know anything could be done.
My pain was significantly reduced after only one visit and now, with only one visit a month, I’m pain-free and sleeping through the night.

- Debbie E.

Constant Leg Pain

In 1993, when I was 19 years old, it was determined that I had trichinosis in my brain due to the fact that I ate bad pork in Peru, South America, where I am from. Two brain surgeries later, I was scheduled for and had another surgery to fuse my cervical spine because I had scoliosis.

read more from Lizbeth »

Two years of therapy ensued and finally I was able to do almost everything I was capable of prior to the surgery.

Three years ago my left arm felt weak and I was tired all the time. I went to my personal physician who had an x-ray done of my neck and immediately referred me to a spinal neurological surgeon. He informed me that my neck was collapsing on itself and that it would take a team of surgeons to do the mechanical restructuring of my cervical spine. This surgeon, although one of the best in his field, referred me to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and in March 2005, I underwent 11 hours of surgery.

One year ago my left leg started hurting constantly. I thought it was because of all the therapy I’d been through since the surgery at the clinic. I went to River Chiropractic & Wellness, where I met Dr. Laura Thornton. After testing and X-rays, she stated that I needed a series of treatments.

Shortly after starting treatments I spent four days with no pain. And since treatments began I’ve spent extended periods of time without pain which improved both my mood and my activity level. This is a major accomplishment since the surgeon’s who treated me for both surgery and pain management said that I will probably always live with some degree of pain.

Now, I spend more time playing with my young daughter, Emma, and doing going places or doing things with my husband, Mark. I recently was accepted for a banking position and will return to work within weeks. I hope to continue “maintenance” level chiropractic treatments and look forward to the continued feeling of well being I have felt since I began seeing Dr. Laura.

A postscript to this story is that I’ve been working for awhile now and feel better than ever. I have become more involved with the house and now scrape, paint and repair many things at home.

- Lizbeth P.

Severe Neck, Upper Back and Arm Pain

My story begins in November 2005 when I began experiencing severe neck, upper back and arm pain. On the pain scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the worst pain), the pain was a definite 10+! Over the past 22 months, the pain has reduced but never below a 3, and it would flare up to an 8 on a daily basis.

read more from Randi »

Day to day activities were often very uncomfortable, falling asleep at night was difficult, and activities that I used to enjoy I had to give up because movement caused an increase in pain.

During this time, I went to numerous medical professionals – starting with my primary medical doctor, then to two different physical therapists, and finally to a spine specialist and a neurologist. Each doctor ordered or performed a variety of examinations and tests including x-rays of the neck, back and shoulders, EMG/NCS (electromyogram and nerve conduction study) and an MRI. Some of the ailments I was diagnosed with were: neck sprain, degenerative disc disease (cervical and lumbar), cervical stenosis, impinged cervical nerve, carpal tunnel syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis. Treatments included
various types of NSAIDS, pain medications, muscle relaxers, weeks of physical therapy, traction and trigger point injections. Despite all of this, I was still in pain, still didn’t know why and was beginning to believe that I may have to live with chronic pain.

Since I had exhausted my options with the “mainstream” doctors, I was considering alternatives such as chiropractic, but my only exposure was through hearsay from co-workers and friends. Then I met Dr. Thornton and had a lengthy conversation about my situation. My husband encouraged me to make an appointment with Dr. Laura. After the 2nd adjustment, there was a significant reduction in pain. After the 4th adjustment – that’s less than 2 weeks time – the pain that I had been in for so long was almost completely gone.

I admit that I was skeptical about chiropractic before I came to River Chiropractic & Wellness and I was unsure that these results would last, but I continue to feel better each day! I now fall asleep easily and get truly restful sleep each night. As I improve, I look forward to renewing some of those activities that I gave up almost 2 years ago.

I cannot thank you enough, Dr. Laura! Until a person has lived with chronic pain, they can’t truly appreciate how good it is to be pain-free.

- Randi H.

Pinched Nerve Pain

I have been a patient of Dr. Laura Thornton since we both lived in Iowa and would highly recommend her. I was nervous about seeing a chiropractor for the first time in 2004 but Dr. Thornton put any worries I had to rest right away. She told me how she uses the Activator® protocol that is a less invasive form of chiropractic care.

read more from Leslie »

She is kind and gentle and cares about the whole you, not just your spinal care. When I first started seeing her for a pinched nerve, she also asked about the rest of my health and life style. She suggested a couple of books I might read to learn about what I need at this point in my life to stay a healthy woman.

My experience with her was so positive that I recommended both my teenage daughters for treatment, one for chronic migraines and the other after she chipped her tailbone. They both responded well to Dr. Thornton’s care. My older daughter with migraines went from clusters of 5 or 6 months to just a few in a year.

It was heartbreaking when I moved to Toledo, Ohio in March of ’05 and had to leave her care. But I was thrilled to learn that Dr. Thornton opened the practice in Rocky River and even though it is more than an hour drive, I have happily resumed my treatment with her.

- Leslie W.

Relief From Migraines

After the birth of my second child, I began having horrible migraines 2 and sometimes 3 times a week. I was given medication for the headaches, The medicine worked as long as I laid down for 20 minutes in silence. Well, anyone with kids (especially little ones) knows that this can be an impossible task.

read more from Christine »

After a while the headaches only came around once or twice a week but during times when I could not lay down after taking the medicine. I’d take my medicine and the headache would last about 7 hours. I was speaking to a neighbor at our development’s pool one day and she told me that she had similar issues. She went to a chiropractor and found out she had something wrong with her neck that was causing the headaches. She no longer has headaches.

I went home and told my husband the neighbor’s story and he said I should see his chiropractor. There was only one issue. I have a fear of people touching my neck and head. My headaches were so bad that I overcame my fear and set up a time to meet with Dr. Laura. She put all my fears to rest. Her technique and her plan to relieve me of my headaches have worked wonders. I am so grateful. Thank you so much, Dr. Laura! You really turned my life around. It’s nice to be back on track again.

- Christine P.

Back and Hip Problems

I am very satisfied with my experience of coming to Dr. Thornton’s office. They have treated me very well and professionally. I came in with back and hip problems that were getting worse but the doctors worked with me week after week and I began to feel much better. I still have bouts with my arthritis but they prescribed certain herbs to take which have helped with arthritis considerably. I feel very relaxed and comfortable when I come to see them and to me that is very important. Also, the prices are very reasonable. I can’t say enough![/toggle]

- Dennis G.

Suffered From Spinal Arthritis and Stenosis

I can’t begin to thank you enough for all the relief from back pain that you’ve provided me. I have suffered from spinal arthritis and stenosis of the spine for over 25 years. Periodically, it has been relieved by pain medicines and some massage during this time

read more from Connie »

However, in May this year, I experienced acute, bad back pain, and when I went to my masseuse to get some help, I was unable to lie face down on the table. She recommended that I see you since she was unable at that time to provide relief. I was very skeptical of chiropractors since I thought I’d be twisted and yanked around, maybe causing more pain. At the first time I saw you on May 10th, I was still unable to get on the table face down. But, to my surprise, your gentle approach to my problem was a wonderful experience! After only one treatment from you, I was totally relieved of my back pain the next day. I have not had any problems with my back for over two months.

Thank you so very much for helping me to live a better life without back pain. Also, I need to add that your beautiful, warm, and kind personality are a real asset to your services. I highly recommend that others who suffer pain come to you for help.

- Connie S.

Headaches and Neck Pain Several Times a Week!

I have been suffering from headaches for years and take various OTC medications several times a week. Occasionally, I take a prescription medicine, but the possible side effects scare me. These headaches, which start at the back of my head and neck, will at times be so bad that I have to leave work early or miss a day of work if I wake up with one. I have had whole days completely ruined because of these headaches and I just wanted some relief. Which led me to Dr. Laura. I have tried ‘traditional’ chiropractic twice before but never got the results I was hoping for. So to say I was skeptical of this gentle pulsating method is putting it mildly. It did seem to make sense to me though, that the Dr. is able to get right to the spots that hurt so much and adjust exactly in the area, rather than trying to get it to ‘crack’. Because it was different, I decided to give it try. It took a few visits, but I definitely feel a difference. If I would go for two days in a row without taking an OTC, that was a good week for me. Since I have been seeing Dr. Laura, I have gone a full fourteen days without any medication, this is nothing short of a minor miracle for me! While I am not completely headache free, yet, the amount of relief I have gotten so far is amazing and I can only think that it will continue to improve. It truly is, beginning to change my life.

- Carol S.

I Was a Little Apprehensive!

I’ve been a patient of Dr. Laura for several months now. I have to admit, when my husband first suggested seeing a chiropractor, I was a little apprehensive. I met with Dr. Laura and knew from the start, I was in good hands (literally). I first went to River Chiropractic & Wellness with a shoulder issue that I could not longer remedy with OTC medicines. So far, with the fantastic care of both doctors, I’ve gained almost all of the range of motion back in my shoulder. I also get spinal adjustments from Dr. Laura which have helped with my lower back pain. I’m very happy to say that I can work an 8 hour day on my feet, and not have any pain at the end of my day.

- Tina M.

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