I am a 58 year old woman. I have lifetime medical workers compensation. I was given 6 sessions of massage therapy with Dr. Hakim. I completed the 6 appointments, which consisted of him putting a heating pack on my back and leaving me in a room for about 20 minutes on a decompression table. Sometimes, he would use a massage gun, or do light pressure manual work for 5-10 minutes.
At the end of my last visit, I was having extreme difficulty getting up from the table. I was laying face down and had to stiffen my body and pivot perpendicular to the table, then do a slow push up to get myself up and off.
Rather than stepping in to give me a hand up. Dr. Hakim stood back watching me go through this process...He then remarks: "IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE DONG SOMETHING NASTY TO THE TABLE".
While I thought this was wildly inappropriate, unprofessional and uncalled for, I was in pain and also - didn't really know how to deal with that. He had previously made comments about the color of my yoga pants while he was working on my backside. At the time, it didn't occur to me there might be an issue.
I left thinking...well, I'm not coming back here. Not only because of this comment, but also because he seemed to be just "phoning in" his treatments...couldn't remember me from previous treatments....puts you in a room and leaves you with no face cradle so your face is sore when you leave...once, I showed up for an appointment and they sent me away - saying I didn't have one...
Fast forward nearly a year later, I am referred back to Dr. Hakim. I was again approved for 6 treatments. Anyone who has been through Workers Compensation understands the bureaucracy. It is diffult to get approval in the first place, and then to switch providers is another hassle. I decided to let his previous comment pass and just receive some treatment...as it is better than none at all.
I just left his office. My experience when I arrived for my appointment:
Upon arrival I was greeted as "Ann" - which is not my name. When I explained who I was, I was asked if I had an appointment. Which I did. I was then told I did not have authorization for my visit and I could not be seen until that was straightened out.
I explained I did indeed have authorization, as Dr. Hakims office had previously called saying they had 6 visits authorized and they'd like to get me booked. I told them I would have to get back to them. Weeks did pass, but ultimately I did book this appointment. Even though they booked this appointment a week prior, once again they seem to not know who I am, and are surprised by my arrival.
I'm being told to sit and wait until they call my provider to get authorization. I told the receptionist that I don't understand how this was not worked out prior to my visit. After that I could hear her and Dr. Hakim whispering...and after 30 minutes of sitting there I was told they could see me as they had gained authorization.
I'm brought into a room by Dr. Hakim. He proceeds to ask me where my pain is, then tells me to lay face down on the table. He puts a unheated heat pack on my back and leaves the room. 5 min or so later...just as it's beginning to heat up he comes in and pulls it off.
He begins to use a massage gun. This gun is so weak, if he pushes too hard it turns off. So, he is giving light pressure mostly and zooming around...really just irritating... He tells me "if you feel any discomfort, let me know". I then lift my head to tell him "when you were working on the left, I felt a spasm on the right and it is hurting me right here" and I point to the area. I then say "can you put some pressure there to relieve it?"
He then tells me "You're not having a spasm" to which I respond "Well, okay - I don't know if its a spasm, but it hurts"...the then tells me " JUST RELAX AND LET ME DO MY JOB" in a very defensive tone.
Moments later he tells me to stand up. Then he starts telling me we need some consistency and so he needs me to come back in twice a week...I stop him as it seems he is concluding the visit...so I ask " is this visit over??" and then he just lays into me. Saying, "look, if your not happy with my services, I can refer you to another doctor".."I know you're put out because of the authorization issue which is not our fault" and now you're here telling me how to do my job. I asked him HOW is it I'm telling him to do his job. He ASKED me to tell him if he was causing discomfort and when I spoke up he told me to "RELAX, let me do my job".
We went back and forth belaboring the point whether or not I was telling him how to do his job...ughhh..concluding with him telling me he doesn't want to see me again and he will refer me to another provider. I told him I can do the on my own.
I regret giving him a second chance as it is clear that his practice is in disarray. I didn't get the feeling he cared at all about my pain or helping me..he's just there to get paid. Treatment time=12 min. read more