Empire Physical Medicine & Pain Management

Dr Moalemi is a caring Doctor and easy to talk to. Dr Moalemi gave me an accurate diagnosis and expectations for recovery timetable.

I sprained my ankle right before a half marathon. I was initially going to another PT place but they were doing nothing for my ankle. I came here and Angel was my therapist. She was wonderful! She made me do different exercises and taught me some stuff to do at home. She would massage my ankle at the end which really helped. In less than 3 weeks, I was all ready for my half!
I definitely definitely recommend Angel. She knows what she is doing and is very personable.

I have been going to Empire for nearly a year now. I have been dealing with joint pain for many years and decided to finally do something about it. After consulting with many doctors, it was suggested I try physical therapy.
I consulted with Dr. Moalemi who carefully listened to my concerns and discussed my options for my main problem, which was in my shoulder. He was attentive, patient, and respectful. He was up front with me that there was a possibility of physical therapy not working and eventually needing surgery. I appreciated the honesty and started therapy.
This started a long journey of many months working with the team of therapists. The team of therapists here are all-​stars. They are incredibly nice, very patient, and will always be mindful of your pain level while still encouraging you and helping you push your limits.
Unfortunately, my condition never got to 100% and I ended up having to get surgery to repair multiple tears in the glenoid labrum of my shoulder. Since then, I have returned to Empire and continued working with the team. Recovering from surgery is stressful, frightening, and painful. In just 6 short weeks, I am feeling more and more confident as my pain level, strength, and range of motion have consistently improved with each visit. Your body does strange things after surgery that will consistently scare you into thinking you’ll never be the same.
The therapists have been incredibly positive and encouraging and have helped me cope both physically and emotionally during this difficult recovery and I am confident that I will get back to 100% with their help. It has been said in other reviews, but the team here really does become like family.
If I could give the doctor and the therapists 6 stars, I would.
Furthermore, I am very grateful that the office has been flexible with me on making sure I am able to afford the care.
The places where I would constructively suggest there is some room for improvement are below. Improvements in this area would improve my review to 5 stars:
–The scheduling staff is wonderful and courteous but should keep each other updated more effectively. I sometimes get calls to confirm an appointment merely hours after scheduling that appointment. I have gotten three calls in one day about the same appointment before.
–There are sometimes delays in submitting requests for PT visits to insurance. Additionally, sometimes the requests have been submitted but nobody updates you on the status unless you call to ask. I would appreciate more proactive communication here.
–Paper handouts for take-​home exercises would be useful in case a patient forgets the proper form or guidelines. Not a big deal, but it would be a good idea.

DO NOT PAY OUT OF POCKET-​I went 5 weeks ago and was told it was not covered by my insurance so I paid the $ 250 initial consultation fee by check to Dr Moalemi personally which I thought was odd. I then got a call two days later that my insurance company did cover the treatment and I was told to pay in error.
I was offered a credit towards my co-​pays of $ 20, which would mean over 20 sessions. I had then decided on the surgical option per my surgeon so I told them I wanted a refund and I would gladly walk over to their office a block away and pick one up. I was told I would get call from accounts payable and never did.
I have now called over ten times. Every time I call, they know the story and tell me they will speak to the manager or the doctor and call me back. I have not gotten a single call back.
This place is not trust worthy. Do not give believe them when it comes to accounting as they clearly have no idea what they are talking about.

Their office has become my go to place for physical therapy. I suffer from chronic back pain, mostly due to my sitting and stressful job, and have been going to another chiro office for years without much improvement. I tried a specific treatment here (DRX) and have had amazing results — the pain subsided and with exercises most days is non existent. I particularly liked the prep/​stretching they make you do before DRX (I went to another office and they did not do that). Dr Moalemi is always courteous, listened to my needs, although busy was available when needed last minute for an emergency. All PTs are knowledgable, helpful, and tough when needed but my favorites are Monica, Tony, Chris and (I always forget the other person’s name…). Most people at the front desk are super nice, there are some newbies with a bit of an attitude but hopefully they will adjust quickly, I really appreciate the appointment reminders. Highly recommended, after my back I continue to go there for ongoing maintenance sessions and for a hand injury.

I have been going to Empire Physical for years now. Doctor Moalemi, the PT team and Acupuncturist are extremely knowledgeable. They have two offices, one in Midtown west and one near Wall Street downtown and all of the PTs I have personally worked with are very compassionate, listen to their patients and continue to expend on their techniques in order to help their patients meet their therapy goals. I have needed therapy for various areas over the years, including back, wrist, and ankle; I always leave there feeling brand new. The staff is extremely nice and accommodating. I recommended many people to Empire in the past and would definitely continue to do so.

When I went there I was in a really bad conditions, I could not even walk.
Amazing team, I went to 3 different physical therapy and I came back. they make me feel like family.
The schedule they have is pretty flexible.
I’m so happy with this amazing team.
Thank you to the team.
Cuando fui estaba en muy malas condiciones, ni siquiera podía caminar. fui a 3 diferentes P. T y volví, ellos me hacen sentir como parte de la familia.
El equipo es genial, los mejores !!!
El horario es muy bueno.
Muchas gracias a todo a el equipo.

Empire is a great place for physical therapy. My body has gone through one bad thing after another and Dr. Moalemi has worked with me on my most difficult of injuries my chronic back pain which has put me on disability. He has taught meaning of pain management. He also has helped me after surgeries to my knees, elbow, shoulder and the most painful of surgery Neck and Back which has screws in both. Surgery is certainly traumatic, but he does all he can so that you can avoid it. I continue to go to him because he helps me cope from day to day with my bad injury.
Thanks to the staff for always calling to remind me about my appointments and just to see if i’m okay after leaving the office.

I was diagnosed with Golfer’s Elbow by the Dr due to excessive rock climbing and gripping. The therapists that work here have inspired me to become one. They have guided me through step by step and made me optimistic for a speedy recovery. 15 sessions later (doctor anticipated 25+) I feel no pain anymore and have switched regiments to strength training. Extremely attentive and careing individuals. I hope I stay working in the city! Cant imagine going anywhere else.

Very shady place that overbooks like crazy and you have to wait over an hour. The receptionists are VERY incompetent and unprofessional. Worst doc visit, avoid this place and go see a legitimate practice.

On Feb. 3^rd Dr. Moalemi examined my AC separation that I suffered from falling from my bicycle after a careless passenger in a taxi that was parked at the curb, opened the door onto oncoming traffic instead of the sidewalk. After the exam I was told by Alexis at the front desk that I would be notified to schedule my appointment as soon as they heard from the no-​fault insurance that the case was open. I waited 2 weeks and called the office. I was told again by Alexis that she called the insurance the previous week but still had no answer, but I would be notified when they had approval. Today, February 26, 2015, terribly frustrated from waiting 24 days for my physiotherapy to begin, I finally called the office, because I could not believe it possible to take such a long time, and again spoke to Alexis. She nonchalantly asked me if I would like to make an appointment, and that my case was still open which I knew and told her that on the 3^rd. I asked her when she had been notified of this, but she was unable to furnish me with the date. I wonder if she would have ever called me. If this is the level of professionalism in this office, then I do not want to begin my physiotherapy at Empire, because it is obvious that the management is substandard, and that does not give me much confidence for the rest of the staff

I had the best experience possible rehabilitating a rotator cuff injury. Dr. Moalemi gave me an accurate diagnosis and expectations for recovery timetable. The physical therapy staff are total pros and patiently and expertly worked with me on exercises to rehab. And best of all, there is not a more friendly group of people in all of New York City. I very much enjoyed coming to PT 2 – 3 times per week, was glad to get a clean bill of health, but sad to say goodbye.

I came in with a slight tear in my upper back/​shoulder/​lat area and experience pain with the simplest movements. By the end of my time with the staff, I was lifting heavy weights with no problem. Dr. Moalemi is very helpful and the PT staff is great. Monica and Mark make sure that you get the attention that you need and help you out as much as possible. I would recommend this place for anyone in need of PT.

It has been 10 years since I worked with Dr. Moalemi but I just saw his name and thought I would put in a good word. He resolved a chronic lumbar disc issue that I had been having through a series of therapy sessions and strength exercises. I have been pain free for 10 years.

Absolutely the best physical therapy office I have been to. As a division one athlete, I have seen my fair share of PT’s. This office is equipped with not only the most capable therapist’s but also the friendliest. I enjoy going there, I can joke around, have fun and at the end of the day I feel better. It has only been 3 weeks and I am in notably less pain. The massages therapist gave me the best sports med. massage I have ever gotten! I would recommend Empire to anyone who is in pain and would like not to be.

A terrific place. The doctor who owns and runs it, physiatrist Steven Moalemi, is a kind and knowledgeable person. He has the good sense to hire physical therapists who are committed, personable, smart and skilled. They educate you as they help you heal, and there are enough of them, working as a team, so you never feel shortchanged. This office also understands the ins-​and-​outs of working with insurance companies. This is important, because insurance companies like to take it upon themselves to terminate your physical therapy benefits before you’ve gotten better. Dr. Moalemi is also an acupuncturist, although I never used his acupuncture services. When I was a patient there, they also had a podiatrist in the office. Highly recommended.