All Star Physical Therapy

OK get comfortable — here it comes.
It was my first appointment. I got there at 3:15 an hour early to fill out the paper work. The receptionist was very kind and spent a lot of time helping me due to a sight impairment filling out the paper work.
During the hour prior to the appointment, I requested to sit in an examination room with the light down as I have a eye condition that causes me migraines in bright light. I observed at least 5 other patients, while waiting, that were seen by the doctor very briefly with minimal instruction or attention.
When the physician asked about my medical history (which is extensive, including numerous medications) he became impatient and advised he did not have time for a complete medical history. I tried to explain I was simply trying to answer his questions. He then asked me the reason for my visit and I explained I was experiencing a great deal of neck pain and spasms. As I provided further details, he became increasingly agitated. It became glaringly obvious that the treatment I needed did not fit within his preferred fast-​in/​fast-​out business mode.
I observed 4 people getting the same type of treatment — «have some ice, walk up and down a step, simple do it yourself yes, but not evaluative serious consistent regiment. Since my car accident some 20 years ago, I have had extensive Physical Therapy and treatment at several locations (insurance made me change, not my choice.)
My theory is that the doctor feels he is not being compensated appropriately and so he wants to spend as little time as possible with each patient. After I had told him twice that I really needed the lights low due to my medical condition, the doctor turned them full on. EVEN THOUGH HE CLEARLY KNEW THAT BRIGHT LIGHTS GAVE ME MIGRANES IN CERTAIN WEATHER. I SAID IT, 3 TIMES, AND WAS HOLDING MY HAND ON MY FOREHEAD TO MINIMIZE THE LIGHT.
I am sure he wanted me to leave as a result of this and I did in fact do just that.
IT WAS OBVIOUS MY TREATMENT WOULD NEED MORE THAN GROUP HELP & HERE HAVE AN ICE PACK.
In my opinion, this alleged doctor should be ashamed of himself. He provided no comfort and support, and clearly his attitude was unprofessional and inappropriate. Having gained insight into people, personalities and behavior through 30 years of work experience, and graduate school in Clinical Psychology, I know what I was looking at in this case.
This is the worst of what health care professionals can be like today. Insensitive, uncaring, dismissive, condescending and rude.
IN MY OPINION, THIS IS THE WORST OF WHAT PEOPLE CAN EXPECT FROM A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER. SHAME — SHAME — SHAME.
Maybe I am spoiled after going to CALDWELL PHYSICAL THERAPY for years, and my expectations of what professional therapy and competence are unrealistic. But for real, stop reading and call Caldwell Physical Therapy on Passaic Ave. — Sounds like an advertisement doesn’t it — but believe me that statement comes from the heart so no one else has to experience what I did here — ever again.
I will say that the receptionist was nice, competent, efficient and personable — AND VERY HELPFUL. She will make a great PT professional some day.
I will now be filing a complaint with the Medical Board about this experience in addition to leaving this review on Unilocal.
I have read the review comments from the alleged doctor. His comments are both fabricated and miss key information. The truth is he didn’t want to be helpful to any patient that would take more than a few minutes of his time. HIs comment about how I went back to explain the injury are way off. If he would have kept his arrogant mouth shut long enough to hear what I was saying, he would have heard to contextual reference for the history. The bigger truth is that he didn’t want any patient that took more than 2 minutes of his time. His treatment is a factory assembly line that gives him multiple patients at the same time, so that he can probably bill for his time individually to several insurance companies. Shame on him and his phony excuses.