tldr: trans/queer affirming, chronic health/rare illness help, EDS friendly/knowledgeable, hilarious and lovely person, comfortable and safe environment. Dr. Vukelic was so awesome. (100% trans and queer friendly/affirming and a physician who will actually listen to your concerns and not just tell you you're fine!!) As someone who's 20 and has been treated for chronic pain and illness for 15 of those 20 years, Dr. V is the only person to a) actually listen to me and not just blow me off that i'm "fine" and overreacting or making up my pain, but b) actually helped me with it. After one session my chronic back pain was the best it's ever been, as fast as it ever had before after a flair up as bad as i was having. I've also had hearing loss in one ear, and I promise you I am not making this up when i say that i have seen 4 ENTs who all said there was seemingly nothing wrong with my ear, and Dr. V is the only person to actually have helped me in a year of being hard of hearing in one ear. while working on my neck/head, i actually felt a pressure release and gained hearing back that I had lost in that ear. it was incredible. also, she is very knowledgeable period. but especially about chronic health issues. anyone out there with any form of EDS, you need to see dr. v. she knows what's up. i have hEDS and she helped me figure out what to alter/tell my PT to alter to help with my pain/main instability areas. she also knew what NOT to do to further injure myself. if you have specific needs that you need listened to, dr. v will listen, and then not just help you with those, but also show you stuff about your body that you didn't even know was not normal and then give you relief in ways you didn't even know you needed. read more

Dr. April Vukelic is absolutely amazing and skillful. She not only understands functional medicine and mold recovery deeply, she is a highly skilled osteopath. She very thoroughly treats the entire body for somatic dysfunction at the highest quality. She takes her time and won't stop the treatment until the dysfunction is truly improved. Her treatments can improve pain, posture, facial symmetry, movement patterns, and more. She is a truly skilled osteopath. Dr. Vukelic not only has an impressive CV, experience and career trajectory, she highly values continuing education and she is constantly learning and sharpening her skills. She is of utmost quality and you will not regret seeing her for any manual therapy or lifestyle medicine. Below are before and after photos of my cranial sutural treatment that Dr. Vukelic did in 15-20 minutes. Not only did I feel better, my facial symmetry was better and my teeth were more midline. read more

Recover From Mold - Before treatment (left) and immediately after treatment (15-20 minutes later) (right) - Osteopathic Physicians Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

April is life changing in one visit. Stop wasting any time anywhere else. Fly, drive, and do whatever you can do to see this master of her craft. You don't fully understand what she can do til you present yourself in front of her and she helps you. What a relief for the world. Thank you April!!! read more

I got a treatment from Dr Vukelic. I have been treated by many of the greats: Dr Fulford, Viola Fryman, Anne Wales, Andy Goldman, Tasha Turzo, Jim Jealous, Simeon Hain, Anna Wright and others. Dr Vukelic is the most comprehensive, complete and precise. Her before and after pictures of me were amazing. My eyes balanced out. She straightened my nose and my posture. As you may recall, HRV or Heart Rate Variability is the best measure of health/vitality that we currently have. My heart rate variability is taken by my Oura Ring. My Maximum Heart Rate Variability have never been above 100. After my treatment with Dr Vukelic my rate reached over 150! I've never seen that in my y-axis! She decompressed my cranial base and sacrum creating more room from me to breathe through my palette, sinuses and increased volume through my lungs. She re-lit a light behind my eyes. I feel so much more vital and free. 5/5 stars! Would highly recommend! read more

As a wellness practitioner myself who has suffered from almost two decades of severe chronic neck pain and tried all forms of pain management, I received relief for the first time from April and am truly astounded. She is truly a healer and has changed my life forever. I am forever grateful and referring anyone I know who suffers from chronic pain to her! She's going to be a busy woman!! read more

My Osteopathic treatment with Dr. Vukelic was a huge success. I was having a lot of stress/tension in my head, she pinpointed where I was having tension and the treatment proved to relieve a lot of cranial pain. I immediately felt a huge difference and experienced a clear head, the next day I could feel the tension leaving my head which I have never experienced before. Looking in the mirror I was shocked to see the alignment in my face was straightened. My eyes were aligned straight and my cheekbones popped out! I felt more focused and able to absorb new information. I was extremely grateful to have the cranial tension gone, Dr. Vukelic is very talented in her osteopathic work with her focus and ability to take on such intensive work she does not cut corners. The treatment was an amazing life-changing experience and I would recommend anyone to be treated by her. read more

See all

Dr. April has quite literally saved my life. I see her for treatment of CIRS and for osteopathy. I've been plagued for years with an unknown illness and she has changed my life around. She's empathetic, thorough, and has gone what feels like above and beyond in my treatment. I'm healing from musculoskeletal injuries/PTSD now and all my CIRS symptoms are slowly improving with continued treatment. I trust her with my life and enjoy her enthusiasm for patient care, continued education, and spreading the message about CIRS. I've already recommended her to many people and will continue to do so. She's a game changer in this world. Here's to healing instead of chronic illness! read more

First off, I need to preface my review by stating that I am a DO. I went to osteopathic medical school and learned OMT. With that being said, this review may be a little more clinical for most people. Also, so that you can compare to yourself, I am in my 40s and I am female with a normal to athletic build and normal BMI. It has been about a week since I had my treatment by Dr. April Vukelic, and let me tell you, whoa, is she good at her skills. Over the years I have received treatments from numerous osteopathic physicians. I have had cranial before by another physician (referred to as craniosacral by that DO) and there is definitely no comparison in the treatments I received by that other doctor as to those that I received from Dr. Vukelic. Most of the time when I get treatments there is an area that is bothering me and I'm the one who's pointing it out and the physician is working on it around that point. This treatment was completely different. She evaluated my entire body without input from me and found the most restrictive point out of several. Restrictions that I had were to my low back on the right, upper back, and neck on the left, left temple and sphenoid area, and the bilateral maxilla at the midline. She pointed out and had me palpate both of my zygomatic arches (cheekbones)and called attention to the fact that there was a very big difference in symmetry and how they were projecting from my face. I was shocked to palpate this myself. Over the years, I had felt my facial shape was changing subtly and I couldn't put my finger on it... if it was normal aging or something else. From different angles in the mirror or on selfies, I would see this but I wasn't really sure what I was seeing. After her treatment, I am much, much more symmetrical and this can be palpated by the patient. Of all the points of restriction, she found the one that was the tightest and this was the maxilla or upper jaw. This actually made a lot of sense and she asked questions about what happened. what happened was that I had a major dental and facial trauma to this exact area when I was 7 years old that plagued my childhood, teenage, and adulthood years with pain and expensive dental fallout. During the treatment, I could feel movement in my facial bones and most of my skull bones close to the front of my face. I have always had a significant tension to my left jaw and temporal area and even over the maxillary sinus and this was relieved immediately. This has persisted to be relieved since my treatment a week ago. I do have nighttime bruxism and I wear a mouth guard which is good at controlling and preventing facial and jaw pain but I have noticed that I have significantly less of this since having the treatment. I can also breathe out of my right nostril, which I haven't been able to utilize more than 5% of the time for at least the last 2 years. *Update* Today, about a week and a half after the treatment, I noticed that the midline of my maxilla (the line between the two front upper teeth) is almost completely lined up with the midline of my nose. This has not been the case since I got braces late in my teen years. Unfortunately, this misalignment was a signature of the orthodontic group I went to. So here I am in my 40s and seeing a correction of a malalignment I have been aware of since I was 18. (I MAY post photos of my smile.) Other changes: My posture is remarkably different and normalized. I have been aware of having very mild kyphosis and a tendency to slouch into this position. I believe a lot of this came from using laptops all day (which aren't as ergonomic as desktop computers) and my cell phone. Her treatment had an immediate and still lasting resolution in this. I am no longer catching myself with a kyphotic posture. My gait is better and different. I have had problems with my hips due to dysplasia bilaterally. Yes, I've had surgeries on them. As a DO myself, I knew that I was having some restriction with the rolling motion of my gait, mostly with my left hip. I had tried to self-correct this by consciously walking (basically thinking how to do something that is rote) and with stretching. This did not work and my body was making small compensations with swinging the left leg forward. Yes, I could feel this. She fixed it immediately and tension was released that I did not know I had. If you are considering getting a treatment like this or something similar (Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), craniosacral, and even chiropractic, acupuncture, acupressure, reflexology), I would advise you not to waste your money at other practitioners, even other DOs. Dr. Vukelic is who you want to see. Worth. Every. Penny. read more

Recover From Mold - Business card - Osteopathic Physicians Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I was sick for over a year before I found Dr. Vukelic. Upon seeing her, I was diagnosed with CIRS and given a course of action for treatment. She was the first doctor to actually take time to listen and gain insight into my illness and symptoms. My recovery has been almost miraculous. I went from barley being able to get out of bed to going on several mile walks daily. I am now almost fully recovered and have hope to be symptom-free very soon. There is hope to get better. Please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with her. read more

My son is an active teen who has been highly involved in football and wrestling for nearly a decade. Recently, he suffered a shoulder injury that left his shoulder completely locked. He was unable to lift his arm above 90 degrees. He has been under the care of a chiropractor for a few years, which has provided some temporary relief, but not long term solutions. At the initial appointment with Dr. Vukelic I watched in amazement as she pinpointed not only issues leading to his shoulder being locked, but she performed a head to toe "unlocking and unwinding" of many issues within his body. Prior to the appointment, his rib cage appeared uneven to the naked eye, his hips were tight and uneven, and he even had a tooth out of place. Dr. Vukelic gently and amazingly used her God given gifts to put my son back in line. His range of motion and level of comfort from head to toe after this appointment was miraculous in nature. I give Dr. Vukelic my highest recommendation! read more

Recover From Mold - Dr. Vukelic even adjusted a tooth that was out of place - Osteopathic Physicians Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

I had a great experience with Dr. April. Her care saved me from having to go to any extra unnecessary office visits. She handled everything very quickly and was fantastic! Dr. April even followed up with me afterwards to check on how I was doing. read more

Dr. V is extremely thorough. She listened to my story/symptoms about mold and asked the right kind of questions to draw out more information to make an accurate diagnosis. I am doing 80% better then I was. She is very knowledgeable about mold and the extent of what it can do to you. We have been very blessed to have her as a doctor. I highly recommend her! Rachel read more

Dr. Vukelic was the first doctor I saw for my mold illness, and I thought she was really knowledgeable and insightful about all things related to mold. She really helped me make sense of my symptoms and was transparent about our road map to healing. She is extremely knowledgeable and flexible, in that she appreciates a multifaceted and personalized approach to treatment. Couldn't recommend her enough. read more

I had been sick for many years with, among other things, major intestinal issues and brain fog and none of the specialists I went to could figure out what was causing my symptoms or help me get better. After doing some research, realized mold toxicity (I worked in an office with a leaky roof for ten years) could be responsible for my health problems. Under Dr. Vukelic's guidance and care, I have been removing toxins (mold, mercury and arsenic) from my body and have seen a big improvement in both my gut health and my cognitive function and know that if I continue to follow her instructions, in another few months, I will fully return to my previous level of health. In addition to being well skilled in diagnosing my issues and prescribing exactly what I had to do and take to get better, Dr. Vukelic also listened to all of my questions and concerns, provided lots of information that explained why some things would or wouldn't work, (YouTube video links, links to medical papers, info re mold remediation specialists, etc.) providing an excellent education to guide me along what had previously been a mysterious path to wellness. Not only would she provide me with info to explain why the things she was asking me to do would work, and why some of the things I had asked about wouldn't work, but just as important, she is open to looking into some new things if there is data showing it has helped people get better. If you are looking for a doctor who is exceptional in her field and also patient oriented with a positive, infectious outlook regarding her patient's recovery, look no further. read more

I want to preface my remarks by saying that I am an MD who has done some training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. I have also sought out and been treated by many osteopaths in the United States and in other countries. While I don't live in Pittsburg, I have been treated by Dr. Vukelic several times when I am in town. Dr. Vukelic is absolutely one of the best osteopaths who has ever treated me. She has done extensive advanced training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and it shows in her work. For example, I had been suffering with a hip injury for several months that was resistant to treatment. During my first treatment, she identified the issue and my symptoms have almost completely resolved. Dr. Vukelic also worked on old injuries that other osteopaths had not identified but clearly needed to be treated. Dr. Vukelic also has another specialization in mold and biotoxin related illness. She is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about this area. She is also very brave because it is not easy to tell patients that they may be suffering with this problem as it can be very disruptive to their lives. But Dr. Vukelic is not afraid of the negative response she might get from patients because she absolutely cares so much about her patients wellbeing and is willing to work through these challenging issues with patients to help them get well. Dr. Vukelic is also extremely generous with her time, whether it be an osteopathic treatment or during her work on mold related illness. I highly recommend Dr. Vukelic. It has been my privilege to be treated by her and I look forward to seeing her every time I visit Pittsburg. read more

Dr. Vukelic knows medicine that works. She is thorough and extremely well-informed. Dealing with mold has not been easy, but dealing with Dr. Vukelic has made it much more simple and understandable. I have my health back. My palpitations, pain and extreme fatigue are gone. I thank God for Dr. Vukelic. read more

I have been seeing body-workers my whole life to help me with pain & discomfort & disease in my lower back and hip. NO ONE has ever been as thorough, precise, and effective as Dr Vukelic. She not only listened to me and my perception of my issues - but she listened very closely to what my body was telling her it needed. I saw her yesterday and already I feel major un-winding of patterns that I have held in my body for over 20 years. I had a truly remarkable experience with Dr. Vukelic - not only in her professionalism and obvious mastery of her craft - but also in her generosity, warmth, and friendliness. I left my session feeling like I had seen a *real doctor* for the first time: someone who was invested in my health & well-being on every level, in every system of my body. read more

Dr. April Vukelic is my gift after a long journey of seeking wellness that started in 1990. I spent so much hard-earned money, time and energy seeking both holistic and allopathic remedies for the many maladies that plagued me neurologically, emotionally, mentally and physically. I wore a mask in the 90's, learned to meditate, stopped drinking alcohol, coffee, eating sugar & gluten. I was told that my liver did not detoxify well. Many of the doctors told me that I needed antidepressants and I kept saying that the answer was not medication. I knew I was being poisoned but few had the tools to address that and those who were able to hear my pleas treated me for Hashimoto's, seizures, heart issues, spots on my brain, obesity, anorexia, cramps in my legs, acidity, fatty liver, sleep issues, poor gut permeability, compromised blood brain barrier, and the list goes on and on. I learned to deal with my symptoms by telling myself that most of my symptoms were in my head and the other issues were being addressed to the best of everyone's ability. I ran some of my own tests and my doctors were reluctant to review them. Ten years ago, the tinnitus started, and all of my symptoms intensified. My memory began to decline significantly, brain fog set in, my motivation began to wane and for the first time in my life I became depressed. I continued to look for help all over the USA, but my hope was dimming as well as my finances. In February of 2022 I found Dr. Vukelic and the very first thing we tested was the one common denominator that no one ever thought about or mentioned...my environments. As the results came in it became clear, that after 30 years of seeking help I was getting answers that I could trust and that made sense. I found out that I have this gene that does not detoxify mycotoxins. I was offered the opportunity to regain my health with conditions that at times may seem like a sacrifice but are well worth it. I am taking the medication, living minimally, getting my medical tests completed, using the suggested devices, reading the materials and trying my best to live this new life....and for that, my brain and my body are healing. I woke up one day with a clear head, for the first time in many years, and it keeps on getting better. There are amazing subtle changes that are really profound. Today I drove on a highway for the first time in 25 years without having an anxiety attack. My motivation is returning as well as my hope. I am able to pay more attention to my environment and am much more aware of what is going on around me. My mental stamina gets better every day. I made a few mistakes and have been exposed which effected my brain & breathing immediately, but I am learning, and I know it will get better if I follow Dr. Vukelic's suggestions. I am so grateful to get this 2nd chance at 61 years old and I cannot thank Dr. Vukelic enough! read more

Dr Vukelic is very knowledgeable and thorough with her osteopathic treatments. Definitely a gem in the region. She is the real deal and very much cares about addressing the actual problems. When I started working with her, I was having back pain from TMD and bad posture and after one treatment, the lower back pain was completely gone and hasn't come back. The upper back pain is now gone as well. She also taught me about different exercises to do and to not do for my body type. read more

I want to give a shout-out to Dr. Vukelic and the excellent care and guidance she has given me in my path to recovery from CIRS. My story began in my 20's when I experienced a steady and (seemingly) inexplicable decline in my health. At 25 I discovered I had degenerative condition in my hips and underwent a number of osteopathic surgeries. In the years following I experienced increasing chronic pain and a myriad of troublesome symptoms. By the time I was 29yo I was unable to walk without crutches or severe pain. Then by a stroke of luck I stumbled across Dr. Shoemaker's research on CIRS and everything started to make sense. I reached out to Dr. V and began the Shoemaker Protocol. I discovered I have the 4-3-53 HLA genotype and had been living in a water-damaged building. Over the last 9 months Dr. V has guided me in getting out of exposure and correcting the underlying physiology of CIRS. Since beginning the final stage of treatment (VIP) just over a month ago I have improved from being able to tolerate only mild amounts of exercise to just successfully competing in a tennis tournament (about 100 games played)! This journey of recovery is not easy but it is doable and having a doctor who understands exactly what you are going through and what is required for success makes all the difference. I recommend Dr. Vukelic to anybody struggling with CIRS - there is hope and a real opportunity to regain quality of life! read more