Cormendi Health by Dr. John Stracks

I went to Dr. Stracks in early 2024 for some health concerns that were being dismissed by my PCP. I am a big believer that the mind and body are one and understood that my physical health concerns could only be due to my mental health struggles with anxiety and depression. I just truly wanted my PCP to rule out these health concerns as physical so that I could address them from a mental health perspective. When she would not order tests and dismissed my concerns I felt unheard and devalued. Dr. John Stracks changed all of that for me. He diagnosed me with a mental health disorder that I was not aware I had nor had any knowledge of it - even as a registered nurse. It was life changing. It changed the direction of my mental health focus in therapy and every day life. He is approachable, knowledgeable, kind, considerate, and compassionate. I highly recommend him to anyone - especially those that feel unheard by other physicians. He truly brings the whole package of mind and body together - which is how all healthcare practitioners should provide care. He is a gem and I am so glad I go to him. The staff is friendly, courteous, and they get back to you right away and address any concerns or issues so fast. I am truly grateful for all of them. Highly recommend.

I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found Dr. Stacks. For over two years I was disabled and housebound with such severe chronic pain that I could no longer drive, sit down, lie on my back, work or even interact with my family or friends. I had seen doctor after doctor and no one could help me. They diagnosed me with post herpetic neuralgia, Fibromyalgia, CRPS and chronic migraine. They wrote prescription after prescription for nerve blocks, Ketamine infusions and other incredibly potent and debilitating medications that I almost always couldn't tolerate. They even recommended narcotics and surgery. I was horrified and realized I needed to find a more holistic approach which is how I found Dr. Stracks. My experience: After only two months of therapy with Dr. Stracks I was sitting down again, able to lie on my back and had reduced my pain levels from an agonizing daily 10 to a 3 or 4. Today I am almost fully recovered, beyond elated and back to life. I have also stopped my Botox for chronic migraine (I don't get migraines anymore) and have gone off daily Gabapentin, Desipramine and other drugs that were useless and potentially very dangerous. I write this with tears in my eyes because I really believe Dr. Stracks helped save my life. His expertise, patience and knowledge were absolutely vital for my recovery. In addition to his clinical acumen Dr. Stacks is one of the kindest people I've ever met. His goal is to hear you and heal you and stop the vicious cycle of fear and pain. I will never be able to thank him enough for everything he has done for me.

Michelle (Grim) Archer is an incredible pain psychologist who has helped me completely overcome two separate pain problems in my elbow and hip, respectively. For my hip specifically, I was given a dire diagnosis (hip impingement, torn labrum, etc.) and told a major hip surgery was the only way out. Through working with Michelle, I was able to see compelling evidence that my pain was likely not due to the diagnosis I had been given. Michelle assisted me with various techniques, including compiling an evidence log, having a plan for pain flares, overall working to lower my fear, and resuming all feared activities. It took around 2-3 months with ups and downs but the pain then 100% vanished. I highly recommend her. Most chronic pain is not due to the structural diagnosis given.