West Milford Physical Therapy Center relocates to Bald Eagle Commons

By Ginny Raue
WEST MILFORD — Physical Therapists Anne and Sean Kane have been together for over a quarter of a century. Married for 28 years and sharing a practice for 25 of them, they met as students in a cadaver dissection group at Stony Brook University. Not a romantic setting surely, but a providential meeting just the same.

After graduating from Stony Brook the Kanes worked in Rockland County until Anne, acting on a friend’s advice, opened a West Milford office. Sean joined her shortly thereafter. They’ve raised their three, now-adult sons in West Milford and find the township an ideal setting to live and work.

“We have a population that has an active life style. We have hikers, boaters and skiers. We have a very pleasant and motivated group of people in town,” said Anne Kane, speaking for the couple. “And, we enjoy working in the Bald Eagle Commons community, providing convenient services for all of our patients.”

Physical Therapy and wellness programs under one roof

In the past, West Milford Physical Therapy Center (WMPTC) had two offices, a smaller unit in Bald Eagle Commons and an office on Macopin Road. The Kanes believe that combing the two into one larger, custom-designed facility at Bald Eagle Commons, which opened in January and had its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Mar. 14, was an efficient and positive approach for the patients and staff.

“Opening the new facility is a culmination of many years of experience and planning," said Kane. "We are excited to expand the size of the space with additional physical therapists and treatment options. We have increased our wellness offerings including expanded yoga hours, massage therapy and custom fitness programs.”

Physical Therapy treatments include the use of various levels of exercise equipment to promote strength and improve function as well as therapeutic modalities, including electric muscle stimulation, cold laser therapy and mechanical traction. Therapeutic activities are employed to promote balance, posture and progressive strength and agility programs to facilitate a safe return to daily activities and sports participation. Manual techniques include joint mobilization, stretching and soft tissue release.

The staff at WMPTC treats a wide variety of injuries, illnesses and conditions; rotator cuff tears, hip and knee conditions, osteoarthritis, sprains and fractures, spine dysfunctions, carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical strains, disc herniations, neurological conditions and post-operative cases, to name just a few.

Considering that there are about 208 bones in the human body and that muscular tissue makes up 35 to 40 percent of human body weight, it seems feasible that at some point an illness or injury may occur that would benefit from physical therapy. So what should a patient expect at a first appointment?

“The patient will have an evaluation with a physical therapist," said Kane. "We will outline the deficit that we find and educate the patient about the anatomy involved. We will review the goals and prognosis and lay out a treatment plan.”

Massage, yoga and fitness at WMPTC

If it’s a rejuvenating massage you’re seeking, licensed Massage Therapist Jill Smith offers Swedish, sports and pressure point massages in a quiet, relaxing atmosphere.

Therapeutic yoga classes, led by certified instructor Sara Gallmann, meet in a hushed, comfortable setting throughout the day. Beginner through advanced levels are available as are private therapeutic sessions.

The supervised fitness program provides a fitness evaluation and custom cardio and strength training exercise programs under the direction of a physical therapist – a safe and effective way to exercise.

All the available treatments and programs have benefitted by the move to the new address: a cheerful, well-appointed suite of treatment rooms, offices and gym space.

Change is good
The Kanes are more than happy with their new facilities and their entire staff. They credit fellow therapists Kim Minervini and Dana Edwards for their enthusiasm and their patient care.

For the past nine years the Kanes didn’t share office space on a full time basis.

“We’ve come back to that. We are a good team, both in and out of the office. We are blessed to love what we do and we do it together,” she said.

Kane spoke of the pride they take in their profession and the satisfaction they get from helping people and teaching them to help themselves.

The Kanes' sons have been supportive of their parents and have most likely listened to hours of shop talk over the dinner table. Rotators over rigatoni, fractures over French fries, posture over pot roast.

“Sometimes we have to make the rule ‘That’s enough’,” she said.

But once they open their office doors, Anne and Sean Kane are all about the patient’s well-being. There’s never enough of that.