I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Vella. I am a holistic, hippy, shaman type of guy who takes no pharmaceutical meds except the occasional aspirin. For me it's important to have referrals from people I trust and I received a glowing referral from a trusted friend to see Dr. Vella. I was suffering a lot of issues; joint inflammation, lethargy, crippling health anxiety (which sucks, btw), just to name a few. I had also gone through a "dark night of the soul", existential crisis which I knew I needed to weather and not rush to "make it go away" even though it was truly a valley of the shadow of death. I knew that there were profound and healthful opportunities in going through that process. Still it BLEW!!! The primary care doctor I had seen was irritable and impatient with me, was OF NO comfort and FAILED TO SAY that my low vitamin B and D (even within reference range) could have psychiatric ramifications (health anxiety, effing HELLO!!!!) I had suffered that for most of 40 years and it culminated in the "valley" mentioned above. (Read the fine print on your blood tests, btw.) Anyhoo, When I arrived at Dr. Vella's, I was a shell of a man. I was listened to, valued, understood. More than once I quietly cried in his care. There was room for that. I could always discuss my psycho-spiritual process in relation to my ailments. Dr. Vella is also a bit of a philosopher, he met me exactly where I was. I was always received and honored. I had a lot to do in cleaning up my life and was gently encouraged. I received stability/stretch exercises (do your work when it is given...), was guided to do outside physical therapy, which I did to great success. I then, 4 months ago, did a nutritional consult with him...that's when the most profound changes began. We looked at my foods and eating habits (he muscle tested all the foods I brought in ziplocks...I brought a tsp of everything I had in the house--not joking). Certain foods flagged as "fine" (3 x week), "ok" (1-2 x week) or "no". He looked at bloods, got me on a VERY AFFORDABLE supplement regimen. I pay out of pocket and am on limited funds but it's super reasonable. And, at the age of 57, I effing FINALLY heard that I was addicted to sugar. Oh sure it was all dates, figs, raisins, no sweetners, but Christ, 20-30 dates at a time, every day is a PROBLEM. I now have 3 dates or figs or 30 raisins maybe 2 days a week. So with Dr. Vella's care, and willingness to learn and listen, I can give myself healthy, grown up boundaries that I never learned in childhood. All the anxiety was unresolved trauma coming up for resolution and Dr. Vella was there through it all. His work complemented this hippy/shaman's practices beautifully. If we occasionally wait for a bit, big deal, he's giving TLC to another patient in need. Breathe, relax, chill. Spend time setting intentions for session. He supports our own ability to heal so lean on him! He may not want me sharing this but I have his cell for questions as they come up. I'm visiting every 2-3 months now for a nutritional follow up. BTW, MY HEALTH ANXIETY IS GONE!!!!!! EFFING PRICELESS!!!! I CANNOT RECOMMEND HIGHLY ENOUGH! read more

Dr. Vella does not adjust your back or neck. Every other chiropractor that I have gone to over the years, cracks your back and neck. He doesn't believe in that. He may be a nice person, but I need someone that will help alleviate my back pain. He was not it for me. read more

Dr. Vella is amazing! Our whole family sees him regularly (and has for the past few years) following multiple recommendations from friends in the neighborhood. He spends a good deal of time with each client and is one of the kindest, most generous human beings I've encountered. I recommend him to my birth class students all the time, particularly those who have breech babies that need help turning, as he specializes in the Webster Technique to help with just that. He has helped my mild scoliosis become a non-issue with regular maintenance, and does miracles after every time I've been traveling and sitting a lot in a car or airplane to help me get back to pain-free again. Can't recommend him highly enough. The one thing I do think is important to note, in terms of adjusting expectations: because he makes it a high priority to spend enough time with clients, sometimes the wait times can be long. So, do your best to schedule as close to opening as possible or just plan to spend ~1.5 hrs from entering the building to end of appointment. Absolutely worth it, in my estimation, if you can swing it. Also, in response to the reviewer who gave Dr. V only 1 star based on NO direct experience with him, I want to explain that he reserves a few select times a week for first-time patients -- when he had larger chunks of time to spend with them -- and has a thorough intake process to be sure he gets a comprehensive understanding of the new client as a person and your medical history, etc. While it's unfortunate that the acute pain wasn't able to be addressed by him immediately, of course, I appreciate that he doesn't want to "slap a band-aid" on things but instead wants to approach things more holistically and thoroughly, and that can only be done at certain times of the week in the office schedule. I have known him to sometimes make exceptions in emergency cases, so this one person's experience isn't necessarily what always occurs. read more

I was already seeing Dr. Vella for years, and then I fractured four vertebrae in an epic snowboarding accident. It was a catastrophic injury that usually requires surgery, but my spine was bizarrely resilient and I had been walking around (super sore) for a couple days before I even went to get x-rays. My full, rapid recovery was nothing short of miraculous, and I have to think that all those frequent visits to Dr. Vella played no small part in it. read more

I've never written a review before but feel I really need to share my experience with Dr. Vella. My entire family have been long time patients of Dr. Vella and we completely trust and rely on him for his incredible knowledge and compassion. Last year following COVID and a subsequent stomach virus my body went into a terrible inflammatory state and shut down and I could barely walk or move. After seeing several doctors, having many tests, and inconclusive diagnosis, I went to Dr. Vella who immediately had me do an MRT and other tests which uncovered significant food intolerances and SIBO. I can happily report that now after following Dr. Vella's SIBO and anti-inflammation protocol, I'm not only back on my feet but I'm able to exercise and do activities that I haven't been able to do in many years due to SIBO and chronic inflammation. I can honestly say that Dr. Vella has saved my life and I'm so incredibly grateful to him and all that he does for me, my family and all his patients. read more

I asked for an appointment. The office woman said they had a lot of openings today but they had no openings for new patients. I asked if they could squeeze me in because I was in a *lot* of pain. She said no. Even my medical doctor squeezes me in when I'm in pain, so, 1 star for you, Vella Chiropractic. read more

I've been a patient of Dr. Vella's for over 15 years. The level of care I've received from Dr. Vella is exceptional indeed. Yes there is a wait time and that is because Dr. Vella gives each one of his patients all the time they need at every appointment. His new patient intake is very thorough so no, he doesn't see new people if he isn't able to be thorough. If you are looking for excellent care, deep compassion and someone who is an amazing advocate for your over all health and well being you couldn't find some one better. read more

I've seen lots of chiropractors all over the country, and Dr. Vella is by far the best. He doesn't rely on machines and he doesn't crack my neck or anything. He's all about training the body to heal itself. I originally started seeing him for my scoliosis, and he gradually straightened my spine with just a bunch of gentle poking and nudging. A lot of what he says and does would seem pretty hokey, but the results are incredible. read more

Dr. Louis Vella is a thorough, caring and professional networking chiropractor. There is no doubt you will be in good hands here. The lower raring has to do with wait time. If you are going to be a patient here you better have patience here! Dr. Vella will very often have 5 patients at a time with 5 waiting in his office. Be prepared.to wait any where from 30min to an hour before you are seen. This is not the office for someone on a schedule. To end on a positive note, once seen you will receive care that is no less than exceptional. read more

Dr Vella is amazing! I have been going to him regularly for over a year. He adjusted me before during and now after my high risk pregnancy. I have asked him every question i thought of, read about, you name it and dr Vella always responds kindly, thoughtfully and with the wisdom that only comes from experience. Dr. Vella is very compassionate and competent. I highly recommend his services. read more

I have been going to Dr. Vella for a couple of years and by far the best chiropractor I have ever been to.He is an extraordinary doctor , with great patient care. He is very attentive and caring. He is very knowledgeable and goes above and beyond. He always addressed my issues and always follows up with any concern you might have. His natural approach to medicine is what I was looking for. He is simply the best! Highly recommend his services. read more

Exceptional chiropractor, health expert and healer! Very, very dedicated and caring. You won't find better anywhere. A true Astoria gem!

The wait was so long and crappy it doesn't even matter whether he was good or not. I thought he was a little fake, acting like a guru. I know some people love him, but he kept me waiting with my baby for over an hour, which is not cool. Also, the office has a lot of BS about fruit diets and nonsense like that, plus vitamins for sale which is always a red flag to me that the practitioner is trying to make money shilling stuff. read more

I came to Dr. Vella 2 1/2 years ago crippled with neck, shoulder and lower back pain previously diagnosed as due to lumbar degenerative disc disease. I refused to take the pain meds, muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory meds offered to address the problem. Instead, I found Dr. Vella. Over the course of treatment the actual problems were identified - Cervical Spinal Stenois, Severe Scolios & a herniated lumbar disc. In additional to in-office treatments, Dr. Vella recommended exercises for me to do at home & he provided nutritional counseling that he enabled me to reduce my cholesterol level without meds. I'm going to be 70 years old in Dec. '17 and I haven't felt this good in years! The best is the change is without any medication. Dr. Vella is a knowledgeable & compassionate man who cares about the well-being of his patients. Plus, his office staff are accommodating & very helpful. I highly recommend Dr. Vella to anyone that values their health & wants a doctor that is holistic and empowering. I read the review about the wait time to see Dr. Vella. Most often my treatments are timely. However, there have been a few instances when I had to wait longer - this reason was Dr. Vella was taking care of someone who had an urgent medical issue which required additional patient time. I know Dr. Vella has taken additional time with me when I had a new issue so I am understanding when I have to wait. read more

I had a rotator cuff injury and did not want to go the surgical route my buddy did to his chagrin. Dr. Vella examined me & taught me 3 exercises that ceased the pain after a few weeks 7 after 6 months I didn't need them 7 all is good. read more

Dr. Louis Vella is skilled and compassionate. I initially went to Dr. Vella for nutrional counseling since he is a certified nutrionist. (Which is why he sells supplements and vitamins at his office!) I also benefited from his Chiropractic skills after I fell and injured my lower back. As an educator, I hosted Dr. Vella's extremely informative workshops about Childhood Obesity for parents and teachers. Dr. Vella also uses non evasive kinesiology to help diagnose protocol for his patients. Amazing and kind. My highest recommendation for his work. read more