Areta Daria Podhorodecki, MD

I had a truly terrible experience with Aretea Podhorodecki and I cannot recommend her less. Please save yourself the time, energy, money and misery of seeing her. I had two appointments with her, neither lasted longer than four minutes, yet she managed to talk over me, belittle me, and attempt to intimidate me. At no point did she examine me or express interest in my health — I tried explain my medical history and current symptoms while she talked over me (she offered me “injections” three times despite my declination — without specifying what kind — which was strange and frankly creepy.) It seemed like she took a genuine pleasure in talking down to me, and ultimately she told me that she “did not believe” my symptoms or medical history. She is absolutely negligent. For context, I saw her to follow up on a diagnosis I had received after a series of three MRIs (from a different hospital a few years ago in a different state) regarding chronic pain after an accident. She didn’t… believe that I had received any diagnosis or MRIs at all — even though I asked her repeatedly to look at both the MRI images and read the MRI report provided by the other hospital. Since she had seen a more recent x-ray and deemed it ‘clear’ she decided I was making everything up — however, the reason I had received the past MRIs is because my condition is not detectable via x-ray, and the x-ray was an insurance formality. At best, she’s incompetent, at worst, this is intentional negligence and malpractice. I genuinely cannot believe anyone has had a good experience with her. I wish I had listened to the bad reviews, because I essentially paid her to gaslight me and waste my time. Another note is that she was 40 min late for our first appointment and an hour late for our second, and her waiting room was so full of patients waiting to be seen that there were not enough chairs for everyone.

Yeah, sure, it's the East Village. and space is limited. But for a physical therapy place it's crammed in tight! The doctor herself is absolutely USELESS. Misdiagnoses, always in a hurry. Cluttered office. You can do better.

This is one of the best physical therapy places in NYC. Everyone of the therapists are nice, courteous, and competent. Dr. Podhorodecki is on premises, so if you need her input, you can make sure to book your appointment when she is there. She is also very friendly, listens and has a vast network of doctors to call for references or their opinion. The space is clean and you never feel like you are using previously used equipment or devices. I have had a very positive experience here. I have a favorite therapist, Patricia,but they are all of the same caliber. As I have been to several other facilities before landing here, I can happily say that this is the top of the line when it comes to PT facilities. And Dr. Podhorodecki is a very fine doctor who cares for her patients with great concern and expertise.

You can do MUCH better than this cramped, disorganized "therapy" clinic. Dr. Podhorodecki really doesn't do anything. She misdiagnosed me and made things WORSE. There are so many better places in the Union Square area. I don't understand why people go to her.

I've known Dr. Podhorodecki (or Dr. Pod as many people call her) since 1986, when she oversaw my father's physical rehabilitation after a major head injury. Her attention to his abilities and weaknesses enabled her to create a plan that made it possible for him to walk again. At the time, I thought she was amazing. Over the years, my admiration for Dr. Podhorodecki has only grown. She is always up on the latest research, which she shares with her patients as part of discussing treatment plans. I know this from personal experience because in 2003, I had a severe neck injury (herniation of multiple discs) and turned to Dr. Podhorodecki for help. Working with my requests and concerns, and coordinating with the spinal surgeon she recommended, a treatment plan was created. I worked with the highly skilled physical therapists at her practice, St. Mark's Rehabilitation, and was able to avoid surgery all together. I have excellent range of motion in my neck, and full feeling in my… hands (both of which I did not have before working with Dr. Pod and her staff!) Dr. Pod also administered one of the most painful exams I've ever had: an EMG. I was extremely grateful for the professionalism with which she administered the test, letting me know how long I'd have to endure the pain so she could get an accurate reading. She was compassionate throughout, and helped me get through it so the results could be considered as part of the treatment plan. I am currently working with the physical therapists in her practice for a shoulder injury and am continually impressed by their knowledge and professionalism. One of the things I love about Dr. Podhorodecki's center is that most of the PTs who work there are long-term employees who are in constant communication with Dr. Podhorodecki. They are as dedicated to wellness as Dr. Podhorodecki is. I highly recommend Dr. Podhorodecki to friends with any type of physical injury because Dr. Pod knows her stuff! She is highly professional, deeply compassionate, and an incredible doctor.

this place is so guetto, and the front desk think she is the owner(kris)

I would AVOID this Dr. at all costs. EMG tests are painful. But Podhorodecki is simply an uncaring, incommunicative, passionless doctor. When I told her to please give a minute because I need a break from the electrocuting and needling of my arms she said, "I have a room full of people waiting. I came in early to squeeze you in." I actually had to remind her that she had a human being beside her that was upset. She completely ignored that comment. In fact she barely spoke to me for the entire 1.5 hour test! She's monstrous. I have since had another EMG on my arm at the NYU Hospital for Joint Disease and it was a completely different experience. Dr. Kiprovski and his staff are kind, compassionate and very knowledgeable. They checked in with me throughout the test. They let me know exactly what they were doing and why. When they looked at Dr. Podhorodecki's EMG test report, they commented how unclear and difficult to read her findings were. Another doctor (a well respected… orthopedic surgeon) actually rolled his eyes when he saw her name on the report. It's clear that Dr. Podhodorecki is not respected in her field. Again, avoid this doctor!