testimonials

multiple internal medical issues

I came to Dr. Villanova after months of traditional healthcare proved to be ineffective in treating my medical conditions [hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia]. Although I [had] never used Eastern medicine to treat medical issues, a trusted friend recommended acupuncture as a possible solution. Dr. Villanova proved on my first visit to be the most compassionate doctor I have ever met and truly understood my overall health condition. She openly shared her diverse knowledge of medicine and took the time to use the best methods to treat my medical conditions. Within 24 hours, I felt tremendous relief and continued to improve after each visit with her. I am truly grateful to have met of Dr. Villanova and will continue to seek her expertise; she is truly one of a kind. SS, Raleigh NC

one-needle allergy desensitization

– I’ve had severe reactions to eggs all of my life, and have avoided any egg-containing foods (and flu vaccines) for many years. Dr. Villanova put two, very tiny needles in my ear that stayed in for 3 weeks. I was nervous to try anything with egg in it after that – but 1 week later, I ate a small amount of mayonnaise and nothing happened. The week after that, I ate a piece of pancake from a diner, and again I was fine. Since then, I’ve eaten cake and other baked goods without problems. Its been very freeing not to have to ask about eggs all of the time.    EF, Brooklyn NY

– I admit I was skeptical that a needle in my ear could eliminate my cat allergies. A few minutes of cat-contact has always caused my eyes to itch, sneezing and sometimes difficulty breathing. Dr. Soliman, Dr. Villanova’s mentor in this technique, placed my ear needle. Since I don’t own a cat, I didn’t really give the procedure much thought. About 2 weeks after I removed the needle, I attended a party at the home of some people I didn’t know very well. It was at least 2 hours before I noticed they had a cat – because I saw it! I didn’t experience the slightest allergy symptom.

Prior to the ear needle, petting my dog for a while would slightly irritate my eyes. Not only do I no longer notice this, I wake much less stuffy in the mornings. I strongly believe the ear needle also eliminated my mild dog allergy.      KB, Raleigh NC

– I have been diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis and have many food allergies. As a result, many foods make my throat feel tight or give me terrible bowel problems or gas. Some foods make my nose very stuffy. I had been avoiding milk for years when I heard that Dr. Villanova was starting the new technique to stop allergies. She tested me for allergies, and we decided to try to deactivate the milk allergy first. I removed the ear needles after three weeks and immediately tried some cheese; I felt a little nauseous, but less then usual. One week later, I ate a bite of my husband’s ice cream and had no problems at all. After a second treatment, Dr. V retested me for dairy, and the tests were all normal. Recently, I ate dairy 3 times in a weekend and had no problems. I’ve been telling all of my friends!     GM, Raleigh NC

Note: milk and gluten/wheat intolerances often involve more than just regular (IgE-mediated) allergic responses. One-needle allergy desensitization results for dairy, wheat and gluten allergies may ameliorate eosinophilic esophagitis and respiratory allergy symptoms. Gastrointestinal intolerances are often caused by different problems not addressed by this technique.

neurological problems/multiple sclerosis

– I have MS and recently began seeing Dr. Villanova for help [managing] my symptoms. I have muscle spasms, balance trouble, fatigue…trouble sleeping (especially on the nights I take my medication)…getting overheated all the time…[and] blurry vision. Dr. Villanova has treated me with acupuncture and recently added some herbs. The results have been remarkable!  My balance is better so I’m walking better. I’m less tired after getting overheated. I also sleep better because I only have night [muscle/leg] spasms on the days I over do it. I typically leave Dr. Villanova’s office feeling re-calibrated and ready to face the week!     KS, Chapel Hill NC

– … [I have leg weakness from MS]… minutes after the [scalp] needles were in, I could walk better and stopped dragging my left foot so much. I didn’t feel like I was falling toward the left when I turned around, and felt more calm and relaxed. Dr. Villanova tested my leg strength before and after the needles and we could both see the improvement…

I returned weekly for a while, and I could see so many improvements. I could walk a few blocks without my cane or feeling so tired….I could lift, bend and carry with more confidence and my night cramps [spasticity] were gone. I can work a day without being so tired, and [am] attending to medical problems so much better….     RK, Raleigh NC

Note: improvements in progressive/persistent neurological disorders, like MS are real but temporary. Neurological/Chinese Scalp Acupuncture can be a robust part of symptom management and improve quality of life, but does not reverse the disease processes

– I came to Dr. Villanova for my sciatica, which was almost gone after 4 or 5 sessions. I was happy with this, but Dr. Villanova asked if I wanted to try a treatment for my hand tremor. [I had had essential tremor] all of my life which is worse when I’m stressed or tired. Some days its hard to drink from a glass. I didn’t think it would help, but I was about to leave the country and wanted to try it. The [scalp] needles really did work! I had the needles in for about an hour and could see my tremor go down by about 50-60%.  It wasn’t a cure, but it things were a little better for my 18 hour flight. I only had the one [scalp] treatment, but will get another when I return.     BM, Raleigh NC

headache/migraine

– My doctor referred me to Dr. Villanova for my very bad, almost daily migraines. At our first visit, she recommended some medication and lifestyle changes, and started trigger point [therapy], acupuncture and herbs. I had only one migraine during our the first month of therapy, and after that, none for the following six months. When one did come back, some herb changes and an acupuncture treatment resolved it immediately. I am so amazed and so grateful at my improvements – I’ve sent two of my family members to her as well.     MG, Chapel Hill NC

– When I started with Dr. Villanova, I was having as many 1-2 severe migraines a week that made me miss work and fun. I would have to leave work, or work in severe brain fog – I remember feeling miserable a lot of the time. Within the first few months of working together, I had a lot fewer of these headaches, and now I haven’t taken Maxalt [migraine medication] in over a year and half. This has been such a relief. Dr. Villanova changed my life.     JM, Raleigh NC

– I had been seeing Dr. Villanova for a couple of months when I had my first migraine in about a year. I was leaving the next day for some extended foreign travel, and had a lot do. I happened to already have an appointment with her when the headache was at its worst. When I called to cancel, she told me she could likely make the headache calm down, if not go away. She put me in a dark room, and the acupuncture needles almost completely stopped the headache. She said that my headache type was well known in Chinese medicine – I didn’t care as long as it went away! I was able to finish my preparations and get on my way.     MH, Raleigh NC

pain

– Dr. Villanova’s blend of Eastern and Western medicine is highly effective. She creates a unique path to healing for each patient.

I came to her with chronic pain from an injury that multiple…doctors had given up on treating. With Dr. Villanova, I not only found pain relief, but I also got on a path to wellness that has transformed my health and well-being.     LM, Raleigh NC

– I had several years of constant low back pain from some snowboarding accidents. After my second treatment, I was almost completely pain free. By the third week, I was back in the gym for the first time in years, doing 30 minutes of cardio, five times per week, without any pain.

I hadn’t realized how much pain was in everyday, and how much it impacted my life. The other problems we worked on [asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, blood pressure elevation] also improved right away.

I’m so happy that I met you! You have no idea how much you changed my life – I feel so much better!      JS, Raleigh NC

– I came to Dr. Villanova with chronic fatigue syndrome, vulvadynia [chronic inflammatory pelvic pain], chronic neck pain with accompanying headaches, and a general lack of zest for life. I had been experiencing pain and discomfort that affected my daily life for about two years. I have a very active life both personally and professionally, so it was very important to me to find relief. I had tried many different healing modalities with little to no permanent relief.

I received relief as soon as treatment was started. Dr. Villanova started immediately with trigger point injections of Lidocaine into my shoulders and upper back muscles for the neck pain. More than that, I was interested in getting to the root of my issues and achieving whole body healing. My energy level increased slowly and progressively, and all of the other symptoms I had decreased. It is important to mention that the improvements did not happen overnight, and I was diligent in doing what I was asked. I saw the healing through symptoms, and they began unraveling of years of bad habits and less than optimal self care.

I am supremely pleased with my response to acupuncture and Chinese herbs. A superior healing art in my opinion. I’m so grateful to have my zest for life again. Over the year of treatment, my chronic tiredness has gone, pain in my neck is gone, and the vulvadynia has stayed at bay. I now make better life decisions that affect my health both inside and out. I highly recommend acupuncture and herbal treatment for anyone and am happy to talk about my results with anyone who wants to know!     YC, Raleigh NC

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