Dr. Justin M. Gruby
Dr. Justin M. Gruby is the lead Chiropractic physician at ChiroMend. Dr. Gruby received a BS in Natural Sciences from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He also received a BS in Natural Sciences and a Doctorate of Chiropractic from National University of Health Sciences. In addition, he is a certified Kinesiotaping practitioner and is board certified in Integrative Medicine.
During his professional studies, Dr. Gruby excelled in the areas of soft tissue therapy, management of foot and ankle conditions, low force joint mobilization, and clinical nutrition. He was twice awarded the Homer G. Beatty scholarship, given only to those who demonstrated outstanding ability in the area of chiropractic technique. He also served as an assistant teacher in the areas of spinal and extremity anatomy and chiropractic manipulative therapy of joints and soft tissues.
Dr. Gruby is a strong advocate for preventative medicine and doesn’t believe people should be forced to rely solely on drugs and surgery to address their health issues. He makes every effort to ensure each of his patients receive the best possible care while developing the tools necessary to lead long, healthy lives. This can include reducing nutritional deficiencies, treating food allergies, assisting in weight loss, correcting digestive problems, controlling cardiovascular disease, and many other wellness issues.
In his spare time, you’ll find Dr. Gruby running on the soccer fields around Chicago or playing the saxophone as a professional musician by night. He is also an avid skier and snowboarder.
Dr. John A. Wascow
From a young age, Dr. John A. Wascow was passionate about sports, excelling in various athletic activities. However, striving to be the best often led to injuries, from broken fingers to a broken elbow, making him regularly rely on the help of various medical professionals. His extensive exposure to doctors, trainers, and therapists sparked an early interest in helping others recover from injuries.
After college, Dr. Wascow formed an amateur motorcycle racing team. In his first year of racing, his team quickly became competitive, winning numerous regional titles and championships. However, his life changed forever on March 24, 2002, when he was involved in a serious multiple bike crash that sent him to the hospital in a Flight for Life helicopter. After six months of intense rehabilitation for a head injury, Dr. Wascow made a full recovery and returned to work, but the physical and emotional struggles he faced during that time deeply influenced his desire to help others reduce pain, improve function, and heal from chronic and complex conditions.
Driven by this newfound purpose, Dr. Wascow shifted his career towards medicine, aiming to help people live better lives. He graduated from the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois, and received his Doctorate of Chiropractic in 2009. Since then, he has provided chiropractic care to patients of all ages and has managed care for student, recreational, and professional athletes. He integrates acupuncture, Fascial Manipulation, and his rehabilitation background to effectively treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr. Wascow is passionate about the power of chiropractic care and holistic medicine in improving lives. His expertise, knowledge, and dedication benefit every patient he treats here at ChiroMend.
Outside of work, Dr. Wascow enjoys working out, running 5k and half-marathons, and spending quality time with his wife, Joann, and their son, Avery.
Dr. Sean D. Royer
Dr. Sean D. Royer is a distinguished Doctor of Chiropractic with over 25 years of expertise in sports medicine and athletic performance enhancement. He combines traditional chiropractic techniques with innovative rehabilitation protocols to help patients achieve optimal performance and recovery.
A former NCAA football scholarship athlete at Valparaiso University, Dr. Royer earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry before completing his Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Southern California University of Health Sciences. He holds certifications as a Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) and also from the National Pitching Association (NPA).
Dr. Royer’s expertise is further enriched by his career as a National Level Bodybuilder and Men’s Physique competitor. For over 12 years, he was one of 45 select athletes in Glanbia Performance Nutrition’s Sets and Reps program, representing the brand at major events, including the Olympia and Arnold Classic across North America and India.
As the Medical Director at Diamond Instincts Baseball and Softball Academy, Dr. Royer developed comprehensive movement and strength assessments for hundreds of athletes. He created individualized conditioning programs, managed rehabilitation regimens, and provided expert guidance on nutrition and injury prevention.
In his integrated practice, Dr. Royer led teams of healthcare professionals, working alongside MDs, Nurse Practitioners, and Physical Therapists. His methodical approach has successfully helped hundreds of individuals return to high levels of function after injury through rehabilitation and strength-building programs.
Currently residing in Lake Bluff, Illinois, Dr. Royer continues to make a positive impact in the community while maintaining his roles as a practitioner, coach, and mentor. His extensive coaching experience with various baseball organizations, including Lake Bluff Baseball and the Great Lakes Eagles program, reflects his ongoing commitment to youth athletic development.
Outside of work, Dr. Royer and his wife, Melissa, stay busy cheering on their three sons at collegiate baseball games.
Dr. Young Chang
Dr. Young Chang is a highly skilled chiropractor with over 20 years of experience, specializing in patient-centered care and promoting overall wellness. Combining effective chiropractic and acupuncture treatments, Dr. Chang has a proven track record of achieving positive patient outcomes.
Dr. Chang earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the National University of Health Sciences. He further expanded his expertise by obtaining a Master Level Certificate in Acupuncture from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine.
Throughout his career, Dr. Chang has refined his skills in a wide range of chiropractic techniques, including both manual and instrument-assisted adjustments. He excels in patient assessment and diagnosis, creating personalized treatment plans, and educating patients on how to maintain optimal health through nutrition and exercise.
A lifelong learner, Dr. Chang is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in his field. He is passionate about helping patients reach their health goals using evidence-based practices and a holistic approach to wellness.
With his vast knowledge, compassionate approach, and dedication to patient well-being, Dr. Young Chang is a trusted chiropractor who strives to make a positive impact on the lives of the patients here at ChiroMend.
Outside of the office, Dr. Chang enjoys spending time with his wife, reading science fiction, and working with his hands—whether it’s building computers, tending to his garden, or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Scott Kemp, MT
Scott Kemp, MT serves as the principal chiropractic assistant and massage therapist at ChiroMend. Scott joined ChiroMend in June of 2010 and has been training as Dr. Gruby’s key assistant for years.
His role at ChiroMend is critical. He is highly skilled at trigger point therapy, and is a master at relieving stress, tight muscles, and stubborn pain through the use of massage therapy, stretching, and uncompromising patient care.
Scott has a Bachelor’s of Behavioral Science in Psychology, and is a graduate of the Soma Institute with a diploma in Clinical Massage Therapy. Scott is also board certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB), is licensed by the state of Illinois, and is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).
Scott chose to pursue a career in natural health after being in a car accident and receiving both massage and chiropractic therapy as part of his recovery and treatment. It benefited him in big ways, helping to overcome the challenges caused by the accident. And it planted the seed of a future calling. Now helping people improve their physical and mental well-being through the application of natural heath therapies is Scott’s true calling and passion.
When not making the world a better, more calm place, Scott enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling the globe, working out at OrangeTheory Fitness, cooking down-home Southern food, and going to Cubs games.
Peter Hong, MT
Peter Hong joined the ChiroMend team in Feb 2021. He graduated in 2018 from The European massage school and is trained in deep tissue, Sports massage, Swedish massage, electrical stimulation therapy, trigger point therapy and stretching. He has several years of experience and very much enjoys helping people who are suffering with pain and working with his hands day to day.
After dealing with years of lower back pain, Peter was finally diagnosed more recently with scoliosis. He sought out Chiropractic care which helped significantly reduce his pain. Once his long battle with lower back pain had ended, that experience piqued his interest in more clinical body work. Since then, he has spent years learning how he can help others like him who suffer anywhere from mild to even extreme cases of pain through integration of massage and Chiropractic care.
Peter’s personal philosophy with any work he does is to provide the best service he can provide, to the best of his abilities, no matter what. Peter’s passion for body work is expanding and continuously evolving. He believes movement of the human body should be pain-free and he holds that concept close as his mission statement while working with patients and something that he lives by himself.
Peter in his spare time is an avid gym goer and likes to keep fit. He also enjoys cycling, going on outdoor explorations, and video gaming for fun.
Joe Caron, MT
Joseph “Joe” Caron joined the Chiromend team in January 2021 as a Licensed Massage Therapist and Chiropractic Assistant. Joe graduated from the College of Lake County Massage Therapy program where he finished with a 4.0 GPA and received the Outstanding Scholar Award. While at College of Lake County, Joe studied various massage modalities including Swedish, Sports Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, and Neuromuscular Therapy. Joe also participated in massage therapy service outreach by donating hands on time at a Wisconsin hospital, a crossfit gym, a marathon, and wellness events. Joe successfully passed the MBLEX massage therapy examination and was licensed by the state of Illinois in mid-2019.
Joe comes to us with many years of customer service experience as a retail manager and is excited to help people in a new way. Joe became a massage therapist because of his desire to help those in pain, people who are recovering from injury, and those suffering from different forms of stress. Joe is a lifelong learner and as he continues in the profession he seeks to take more continuing education courses to help benefit patients and assist them in reaching their treatment plan goals.
Outside the office Joe enjoys: music/going to concerts, baseball (self- described baseball fanatic), Chicago Sports, crime dramas, bicycling, nature trail walks, going to the beach, traveling, hanging out with his family, working out, and reading all kinds of different genres of books.