Richard Semel, DC, DACBSP

I had years of unbearable pain in my neck. In 2006, I resorted to a facet block surgical procedure which subsided the pain for approximately 6 months. At this point, I returned to Dr. Joseph Peck and he suggested that I try soft tissue work with Dr. Richard Semel rather than look at additional surgery.
I began seeing Dr. Semel and received immediate relief! Initially, he treated me twice a week. After a month he reduced the frequency of visits to once a week and within a short period of time I was down to once a month. My pain was completely gone!!!
Eight years later, my neck still feels great and only go in for a «Tune Up» 3 — 4 times a year (And sometimes the tune up is for a different sport injury which he always rectifies).
Dr. Semel spends quality time with his patients and ALWAYS stays on schedule with his appointments. If you have an appointment at 3:00 — you will be seen at 3:00…I really appreciate a doctor that respects the patients time as well as his own.
I highly recommend Dr. Semel for ANY pain management either sports related or not!

This man gave me my life back after 2 plus years of chronic back pain. I had every test, scan, MRI etc., that you could think of. Nobody could tell me what was wrong with me, and some even suggested the pain was in my head. I had a fusion surgery, PT, aqua therapy, etc. and nothing helped. Depressed and near suicidal, I went to see Dr. Semel on a referral from my pain management doctor. I almost didn’t go because my insurance didnt cover the visit, and I had already spent 10’s of thousands of dollars chasing this problem around. Well, after about 3 or 4 visits, my pain level had decreased about 80%. I stopped taking ambien to sleep, stopped taking anti depressants, and my pain meds cut in half. I had found the person I was looking for. A year later, I recommend him to any and all with back/​body pains. Thank you Rich Semel, you literally saved my life.

I had throbbing pain from a rotator cuff and frozen shoulder for about a year and a half. I had tried everything: I went to physical therapy for about six months (twice a week); I did cold laser therapy; I got a cortisone shot; etc., etc. nothing helped much. A friend recommended Dr. Semel. The pain started diminishing after the first two or three sessions with him, and after two months of seeing him once a week, the pain is completely gone and my range of motion has gone from 50 percent to normal range. I couldn’t be happier with the results. I highly recommend Dr. Semel. He was a miracle worker for me.

Dr. Semel is an amazing healer. I was first referred to him 6 years ago by my Orthopedist after a car accident left me with a bulging disc in my neck. During the physical therapy, cortisone shots and epidurals administered by my Orthopedist to help me recover, Dr. Semel was there every step of the way to relieve a tremendous amount of my pain. After having surgery, I was no longer in need of regular visits.
A few months ago, I aggravated the injury and the first person I called was Dr. Semel. When you have a chronic issue, you keep the best practitioners on speed dial. I felt immediate relief after starting regular visits with him again. Don’t let the title of Chiropractor fool you. The manipulation he does is minimal and he focuses more on pressure to specific muscles, ligaments, joints, etc., that require care. I’ve had plenty of people try to relieve my pain through massage and physical therapy — Dr. Semel is the only one who has ever succeeded. I’ve referred several friends to him knowing they would be in good hands.

I had experienced ten years of chronic neck pain from snowboarding injuries, two car accidents, and bad postural habits working at a laptop. I didn’t trust chiropractors because they would prescribe a litany of ineffective and often aggressive spinal adjustments. One day a friend referred me to Dr. Semel. Despite my skepticism, I experienced immediate relief on that first visit. After a few treatments I had no more neck pain! Rich told me to return only when I needed to: no prescription for a series of treatments and the ensuing medical bills. Four years later I am still so grateful for the referral.
Now I go to Rich when my body aches or cramps in the wrong places. I have also gone to Rich when in acute pain. No matter what condition I walk in with, Rich listens to the body and I walk out relieved. He really has developed his own unique and effective technique. And while he can do precise spinal adjustments, he always asks me first if it is okay. He would never just crack my bones without asking. He always knows when a lot of pressure is needed or just a light touch.
I trust Rich and recommend him to my friends and family.

I started to see Dr. Semel after I had a flare up of my low back pain. I have had a disc bulge since 1997 and when the flare ups happen, I was often out of commission for a year at a time. Dr. Semel approached my back differently than any other practitioner because he focused on the muscles and tissue that were in spasm and treated them to the point that they no longer spasmed. I was back biking and RUNNING in a week. Since my first visit with Dr. Semel, I have treated with him regularly to prevent any low back flare-​ups and the treatment works. I do triathlon so I have aches and pains all the time. Dr. Semel treats me regularly for maintenance and that allows me to stay ahead of any injuries. As for bedside manner, Dr. Semel is thoughtful, calm and careful to not cause unnecessary pain.
I know that Dr. Semel is well educated and respected in his field. Personally, I have tapped into Dr. Semel’s expertise in soft tissue massage, kinesio taping technique and prevention and treatment of sports injuries.
I could not give Dr. Semel a higher recommendation. Run to him.