Dr. John Villanueva, MD

I called to make an appointment based on reviews which I find hard to believe are real. After I arrived for my appointment, I first I met with the doctor's assistant who does not have a medical degree. I had to answer his questions for at least ten minutes. Then Villanueva came into the room and did not even know the parts of my body which hurt. After examining me, he said that he agreed with another doctor who I had seen. The problem is that I did not provide him with any records from another doctor. I had told the person with whom I spoke when I made the appointment at JV's office, that although another doctor's name was on the MRI report, I had only seen him ONCE and she should not request records. The reason for this I wanted JV to form his own opinion. JV then proceeded to reference the other doctor's report three times. After the exam, JV told me what my options are with regard to procedures. He said that if my back hurts, he will do one procedure and if I have pain in… other areas, he would do another. The next day, I realized that I needed to provide more information which might affect which procedure he would be doing. JV was not in his office so I sent him an email. He did not answer my question regarding which procedure to do. He answered the follow-up questions. He then "suggested" that if I had any further questions, I should make an appointment - TWO DAYS after the appointment. He copied his entire support staff on the email sent to me which contained my medical information. I wrote back that I had no other questions other than the one in my email. He did not respond. After that, I received an email from his office with pre-procedure information. They expected me to come for a procedure when the doctor refused to speak to me about my condition or what procedure he would perform. In the meantime, I learned that JV does the procedure in a backroom in his office as opposed to a surgical center unlike any other doctor that I have been to. When I asked his staff about this, I was told that he is "very gentle" to get around the fact that there is no sedation when the procedure is done in his office. If you call the office during business hours, there is a good chance that you will get voicemail. I called three times when outside of his office the day of my appointment because I did not know where to park. No one answered and when I walked in, people were sitting around. One two occasions, I responded to an email sent to someone in his office only to get a call from someone else in his office who did not know that I had responded to the person who initially contacted me. When I called and said that I needed to talk to the doctor because I do not feel that what I am saying is being conveyed properly, the woman with whom I spoke said that she was sorry that I felt hat way, that the information had been convenyed, and that they had "documented it. It appeared that the doctor is more concerned with documenting their records to say what is beneficial to him than he is about talking to his patient. Today's conversation with his staff was the last straw. As I tried to explain the situation, his staff told me that doctor's response as to what procedure should be done and the reasoning was that it was more minimal procedure and that if it didn't work, we could try the other procedure as if they were choosing ice cream flavors. This shed light as to why he didn't speak to me. He didn't care which procedure we did.

Finally I’ve found a pain physician who cares. He changed my life.

Dr. Villanueva was thorough in explaining my diagnosis, reviewing my images/labs, and coming with a treatment plan including medications, therapies, and home exercises to adhere for a better health outcome.

Dr. Villanueva and his staff treated me with the utmost highest quality of service. He was clear with what he thought could be going on and his treatment plan. Caring respectful bedside manner.

I've been in pain for more than 20 years, and Dr. "V" ( I like to call him) gave me hope again!!! My visit with him was one of my best experiences ever - succinctly stated: " he's one of the most authentic doctors you'll ever have the pleasure of sitting with". He is the Meryl Streep of "pain management", as he will explore evey possibility, and I have to say that after suffering for more than 20 years, I needed that kind of thorough examination. He listened to every single word I said and I was finally given the proper diagnosis. I cried with tears of joy when I left his office, as I was treated superbly by the front office & back. DR. V IS HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE BEST IN HIS AREA OF EXPERTISE ( all caps for emphasis only) - he knows the human body & he treats with human kindness!!!! Don't take my word, schedule an appt and find out..... I'll keep you updated as I continue my journey toward my pain free life. On a scale of 1- 10 - what's your pain level....call him & let… him help you if you are "truly" in pain. He will prescribe only if medically necessitated, and he will always offer direction & hope!!!!

Dr. Villanueva knows his stuff, he listens and treated the problem causing my pain.