A true gem and a laugh-a-minute type, Steve Rangel took his right index finger and placed it atop his left thumb and began to count.
“Let’s see, there have been 20-some surgeries,’’ Rangel said, quickly running out of fingers to tap as he named off serious medical procedures he has endured in his 60-plus years.
An East St. Louis, Illinois, native and Prophetstown, Il., resident, Rangel was sharing his medical history and wanted to make sure the world knew he is active and moving about thanks to many.
Rangel singled out the efforts of Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Matt Moore, PT, OCS, Clinic Manager, Morrison, Il.; Kristie Boll, PT, DPT, OCS, former clinic manager at Rock Valley Prophetstown (Rock Valley’s 53rd/Davenport, Iowa clinic); and Brooke Russell, DPT, CMT, GTS, Clinic Manager, Prophetstown.
“I have had rotator cuff surgery, surgery to remove toes on my left foot, a kidney transplant and back (spinal stimulator) surgery to name a few,’’ said Rangel, while extolling the virtues of Moore, who has played a major role – through physical therapy and dry needling – in Rangel returning to the gym after back surgery. I have so much respect and admiration for all the wonderful people from Rock Valley who have been there for me.’’
Despite his physical detours, Rangel says he can maintain an active lifestyle and points to Moore’s work in the past six months as a driving force. In late 2024, Moore, who was rehabilitating Rangel’s lower back, provided much-needed relief through dry needling.
“It was that lower back and hip area,’’ Moore said of the issue that all but shut down the always-on-the-go Rangel. “I was familiar with Steve and knew that he had undergone spinal stimulator surgery in his back in April (2024). It was important he returned to being active, working on his fitness. Going, doing, being involved, being active and with others is a big part of who he is. The goal we set for Steve was to get back to that active lifestyle and that’s what we worked hard at doing.’’
Dry needling is a physical therapy technique that involves inserting thin needles into the skin to treat muscle trigger points. It’s often used to treat musculoskeletal pain and movement issues. Trigger points are sensitive areas of muscle where pain occurs.
Issues can develop from overusing or underusing muscles, or from trauma or injury. Dry needling can deactivate trigger points, which can relieve pain and improve range of motion.
“Just a couple of treatments,” Rangel said of finding relief through dry needling. “Three in all, but it didn’t take many. Matt knew exactly what to do. He is amazing with that stuff.’’
Since, Rangel is back to his gym-going self.
“The rec center in Prophetstown is a great place for me to go,” Rangel said. “I need that activity, and it becomes important in the winter when I put my bike away. With the issues I have had and still battle, I must stay active.’’
Rangel, Moore says, is the perfect dual threat in that he is a tremendous in-clinic patient as well as someone you can count on to continue to work on getting better outside clinic walls.
“Steve understands and is committed to living the best life he can,” Moore said. “He does whatever is asked of him when we are together and has been diligent in the work outside our clinics to reach his goals. He has overcome so much.’’
Rangel quickly counters, noting Moore and the rest of the Rock Valley family in Morrison and Prophetstown, respectively, have played major roles in his better-life journey.
“You have people you can turn to, and I have had that with everyone associated with Rock Valley,” he said. “Great people and great care.’’
Aside from the patient-therapist bond usually formed, Rangel and Moore share a united front with each other when it comes to baseball. Both are dedicated and forever-hopeful St. Louis Cardinals fans.
“Let’s just hope they improve from the past couple of seasons,’’ Moore said, noting the Cardinals have missed postseason play the past two big league campaigns. “Good or bad, we commiserate together when it comes to the Cardinals.’’
Rangel, whose grandson, Parker Rangel, stars for the Erie-Prophetstown high school baseball team, was more optimistic in his outlook.
“I believe some of the young guys they are putting their trust in will pay off,” Rangel said, noting that Parker Rangel has signed to continue his playing career at Sauk Valley Community College (Dixon, Il.). “It’s time to let them show what they can do.’’
Much the same way Rock Valley Physical Therapy has shown Steve Rangel it will be there when needed.
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller