Extremely frustrating experience with Central Oahu Physical Therapy in Aiea…read more
When Central Oahu Physical Therapy received my referral for lumbar pain, I waited an entire month just to begin treatment. I was scheduled for four weekly sessions, with my final appointment on 3/31/2026, where the physical therapist was supposed to evaluate whether I needed continued care.
However, it makes no logical sense to have an evaluation when there are no further appointments available with the same physical therapist until May -- over a month away. This completely defeats the purpose of the evaluation and continuity of care.
I spoke with the telephone receptionist, who also acts as the office manager. Her primary role is reception, yet she presented herself as if she were a decision maker. When I asked to have the owners call me, I was told to look them up on the website. She is not an owner and cannot make final decisions. The owners never called me. Instead, Physical Therapist Erin deNeeve Baum, an employee of Central Oahu Physical Therapy, called and left a message. I chose not to return the call because I did not want to speak with her.
Oahu is a very small business community, and in a situation like this, a professional and concerned owner would have made a courtesy call. That did not happen.
This office appears to have a serious breakdown in communication between the physical therapists and the front office. Rather than coordinated patient care, it feels like a system where patients are moved through a set number of visits without clear follow-through or continuity. It gives the impression that the focus is on bringing in more patients and generating revenue rather than providing effective, continuous care
After four visits -- the first being mostly measurements and only three visits with minimal exercises -- I am still not better. Quite frankly, this was a waste of time. A friend shared exercises given by her own physical therapist that have been more helpful.
Also, with today's technology, you would expect more modern patient support. Instead of printed paper exercise sheets, there should be access to a digital platform with guided videos and progress tracking. These types of exercises are easily found online, which makes the lack of added value from this office even more disappointing.
If you are considering physical therapy, do your research and look elsewhere. Based on my experience, I would strongly caution against choosing Central Oahu Physical Therapy. You may end up frustrated, delayed in your care, and no better off than when you started. Patients deserve far better.
