March 2010 - NJCPT invites you to join us in celebrating the opening of the John Davis and Dr. M. Benjamin Burton Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center at Montclair State University!

We would like to invite all our past and current patients, friends of the business, and everyone else who may wish to join us, to Montclair State University (MSU) to celebrate a special honor bestowed upon our own Dr. Ben Burton: MSU has chosen Ben as the namesake for their new athletic training center!

MSU approached Ben last year regarding this honor. Initially, he humbly turned them down. But then, the thought occurred to him that this would be a great opportunity to thank his ATC mentor John Davis by including John’s name! John has been an integral part of the Athletic Training department at MSU for the past 25 years, and is currently Head Athletic Trainer. He was one of the first to offer Ben great opportunity back when Ben was still a student. Ben remains grateful to John for his guidance over the years, and is looking forward to honoring his mentor in this meaningful way! The whole NJCPT team supported this idea, and with their help, this honor came to fruition.

The Montclair State University Department of Athletics has opened their doors to all of us in celebration of the opening of the John Davis and Dr. M. Benjamin Burton Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center, and in recognition of John’s and Ben’s many contributions to the ATC field over the years.

Please join our team for the dedication ceremony to congratulate Ben and John for helping to make the amazing new center a reality! Feel free to bring as many guests as you would like.

The ceremony will take place on March 28, 2010 from 2pm until 4pm, at MSU’s Panzer Athletic Center, 1 Normal Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043.

Please RSVP by March 24, 2010 to Randye Mitrani from the Montclair State Athletics Department at 973-655-5234, or via e-mail at mitranir@mail.montclair.edu. If you have any questions about the dedication ceremony Randye will be glad to answer them for you.

Montclair State University has the first Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training degree program in the state! If you are interested in pursuing your Athletic Training degree, please visit their website at http://www.montclair.edu/ATE to learn more!

New in 2010! - NJCPT partners with Pectus Services' Joe Porcello in the treatment of Pectus Carinatum and Pectus Excavatum

In keeping with our goal of staying on the cutting edge of the newest techniques, we are now the first Pectus Rehabilitation physical therapy facility in the country!

The terms Pectus Carinatum and Pectus Excavatum describe deformities of the chest wall or “Pectus”.  These conditions are little-known by most in the medical field – in fact, for years, surgery was thought to be the only option to correct a Pectus defect.  But Joe Porcello, ATC has become a worldwide expert in non-surgical treatment for all pectus deformities.  He is the founder of Pectus Services, a company devoted solely to helping children and teens with these defects.  Joe is also the creator of the T-Joe Pectus Bracing System, as well as the only comprehensive Pectus Improvement Program available.

The Pectus Services treatment philosophy states that improvement of a Pectus deformity involves more than just a brace alone.  They believe that a Pectus Improvement Program should consist of a comprehensive plan of bracing, exercise, stretching, monitoring, and more, in order to achieve the best, longest-lasting results from treatment.  Like Joe, we at NJCPT believe that in order to be effective healthcare providers, we need to focus on the entire patient and their whole experience, not just a specific body part or exercise.

Over the past few months, our providers have been training directly with Joe on Pectus and its effects.  We are proud to partner with Joe in the treatment of his patients.  We share his passion for helping kids with Pectus attain optimal results, as well as gain confidence and strength.  We look forward to meeting these amazing kids and helping them on their journey to better Pectus health!

If you or your child is affected by a Pectus condition, please call Pectus Services at 877-PECTUS-NO-MORE (877-732-8876), or visit them on the web at www.PectusServices.com!

If you are interested in continuing your T-Joe Pectus Improvement Program with us, please call us to set up an appointment at 973-248-8111!

Winter 2010 - NJCPT patients and associates work together to improve the lives of shelter animals

We at NJCPT are committed to giving back to those less fortunate than ourselves, especially homeless animals. This year we sponsored collections for the Bloomingdale Animal Shelter. Through the generosity of our patients and associates alike, we donated food, blankets, toys, treats, and paper supplies to help our furry friends.

Since we opened our practice, we have offered to sponsor pet adoptions for our patients and their family members. In keeping with our mission to help those who need it most, we will pay a generous portion of the adoption fee if your new pet is from a shelter or other rescue group. We have made six adoptions possible since the start of this program!

We are so pleased that this opportunity has recently helped to bring two new members to two of our amazing patients’ families! Jessica K. and family have happily adopted Maya, a sweet, playful, and intelligent Shiba Inu/ German Shepherd mix, who was rescued by Doggie Rescue from Tennessee and brought to the Pompton Lakes Animal Shelter to meet and fall in love with her new family. And Laura O. and family were so excited to bring home Kimmi, a Kentucky-born Beagle mix from Victory Animal Rescue.

We’d like to thank all of our wonderful patients who have selflessly done their part to help homeless animals find their own “forever home”!

If you are looking for a new pet, or wish to contribute something to the shelter, please call the Bloomingdale Animal Shelter at 973-838-2220, or visit them on the Web at http://www.bass.petfinder.com. Shelter adoption hours are Monday-Friday 4pm to 6pm, and Saturday & Sunday 2pm to 4pm.

If you are a current or past patient, and you would like to adopt a pet from an animal rescue group or shelter, please call our office at 973-248-8111 and we will be happy to assist you!                       

March 2009 - Dr. Frank Benedetto of NJCPT assists One Human Performance in injury prevention screening for the NY Giants

Our business partners, the One Human Performance (OHP) team, returned to the Giants Stadium locker room for the third consecutive year to help the 2007 Super Bowl champs prevent injury during the 2009 season. Eric D’Agati and his OHP staff, along with our own Dr. Frank Benedetto, used the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) to assess the players on their first official reporting day for the NFL.

The Functional Movement Screen assesses the seven basic movements (such as squatting, lunging, hurdling, etc.) that comprise nearly all of the advanced movements used by athletes in any sport.  The results are then analyzed to create a corrective workout that is tailored to specifically address each athlete’s most important movement pattern.

Implementation of a routine based on the FMS has been shown to significantly reduce the chance of injury and improve performance in athletes of all skill levels in any sport. It has certainly helped the Giants improve and remain healthy over the last two seasons, and will hopefully help them earn another Super Bowl ring for the 2009 season!

If you would like to see Dr. Benedetto as a patient, to help you achieve your athletic performance goals, please call NJCPT at 973-248-8111.  For more information about the Functional Movement Screen and further performance training, please call One Human Performance at 973-917-3136.

February 2009 - NJCPT's Dr. Ben Burton Undergoes Adult Stem Cell "Regenexx" Procedure

For the past few weeks, NJCPT's own Dr. Ben Burton has been undergoing a groundbreaking, revolutionary procedure.

Dr. Burton, whose knee issues resulted from previous football injuries, has had orthopedic surgery twice, once at the age of 18 and then again at 28.  He has successfully managed his condition, despite an extremely active lifestyle combined with the natural aging process.  He is passionate about seeking new alternative, non-surgical treatments for all orthopedic concerns, and The New Jersey Center of Physical Therapy is proud to actively pursue this goal and remain on the cutting edge of science with its involvement in this procedure.

Called "Regenexx," the procedure consists of harvesting a patient's own adult stem cells from his or her bone marrow.  The cells are multiplied using the patient's own blood, and then are injected into an injured joint. The cells take on the properties of the tissue around them, and cause the missing or faulty tissue to regrow over a period of time.

Dr. Burton is one of about 75 people nationwide to have had this procedure done.  The Centeno-Schultz Clinic in Broomfield, Colorado, where Dr. Burton's procedure was performed, is one of the first clinics to specialize in adult stem cell procedures. Regenexx promises a viable alternative to traditional orthopedic surgery for joint pain and dysfunction.

Dr. Burton has pioneered several new rehabilitation protocols based on his principles of non-surgical pain relief for joint problems, which differ from traditional invasive methods.  He plans to open The Articular Cartilage Rehabilitation Institute of New Jersey, which would be a sub-specialty under the umbrella of services offered by The New Jersey Center of Physical Therapy.

If you would like to consult Dr. Burton or his experienced associates regarding these techniques, please call 973-248-8111.

June 2008 - Dr. Carrie Jones and Dr. Ryan Skripak - Board Certified Orthopedic Specialists

We at NJCPT are proud to announce that two of our physical therapists, Ryan Skripak and Carrie Jones, have recently passed their Board Specialist Certification exams in Orthopedics.

 According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), “Specialization is the process by which a physical therapist builds on a broad base of professional education and practice to develop a greater depth of knowledge and skills related to a particular area of practice.”  Ryan and Carrie have successfully mastered the advanced clinical knowledge, skills, and experience unique to the specialized area of orthopedic physical therapy.  Once a physical therapist has achieved board certification, they are recognized by having “OCS” (Orthopedic Certified Specialist) added to their credentials.    In order to obtain board certification, a physical therapist must complete a minimum of 2,000 hours of direct patient care in the specialty area, and then must pass a rigorous exam given by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

We would like to congratulate Carrie and Ryan for all their continued hard work and dedication to our patients and to their own professional development.

April 2008 - NJCPT Nominated as Top Small Workplace in North America in WSJ Contest

The New Jersey Center of Physical Therapy (NJCPT) was among 800 small businesses nominated to apply for recognition as one of North America’s Top Small Workplaces of 2008.  NJCPT is one of the five million small businesses that employ between 2 and 500 people in the United States.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), in partnership with the not-for-profit organization Winning Workplaces, annually seeks to identify the Top Small Workplaces across North America.  WSJ and Winning Workplaces conduct a national search for small employers who can serve as great examples and inspire other business leaders to create better workplaces.

The nomination process aims to identify employers who foster teamwork, flexibility, high productivity, and innovation, while also treating their employees with respect and providing benefits, both traditional and nontraditional, that make the employee experience better.

Nominees are evaluated on many aspects of business including associate growth, development, advancement, hiring practices, and benefit programs, as well as workplace values, culture, and goals.

NJCPT was nominated for consideration because of each of our associates’ commitment to the team, and thus our outstanding performance and productivity.  Our opportunities for both personal and professional growth and advancement are among the best, and the way we implement all of our basic tenets is what makes us truly proud of this business.

March 25, 2008 - Local Physical Therapists Inspired Disabled Kids at Matheny Medical Center

Peapack, NJ – Local physical therapists took the lead in helping disabled kids live beyond their physical limitations.  Joining leaders like physical therapist Joann Ferrara, whose ballet class for severely disabled girls was profiled on NBC’s Today Show, The New Jersey Center of Physical Therapy (NJCPT) worked to create an inspiring event for the kids at Matheny Medical and Educational Center in Peapack, NJ.  The associates, patients, and friends of NJCPT went bowling with these special children at the AMF Strike 'N' Spare Lanes in Green Brook, NJ.  Funding for the trip was provided by donations raised at NJCPT.  Participants met at the Matheny Center for an orientation and tour and then continued to the AMF Strike 'N' Spare Lanes. 

Matheny Medical and Educational Center is a teaching hospital and premier facility for people of all ages with developmental disabilities.  Matheny specializes in the care of children and adults with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and Lesch-Nyhan disease. 

The New Jersey Center of Physical Therapy is a physical therapist-owned practice in Riverdale, NJ.  Established in 2000, the center is the premier practice of sports and orthopedic physical therapy in northern New Jersey.  Outreach like this bowling trip is in keeping with NJCPT’s mission to always treat the whole patient—emotional and physical.

January 30, 2008 - Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center Sports Medicine Workshop

NJCPT founder, Ben Burton, was a featured presenter at the 1st Annual Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center Sports Medicine Workshop on January 30, 2008. Dr. Burton presented "The 5 Secrets of Upper Extremity Rehabilitation for Throwing Athletes" to the participants.  In this presentation, Ben took his 14 year of clinical experience of working with top-caliber throwing athletes and combined it with the most current evidence-based medicine research available.  

Also participating in the event were Yogi Berra himself along with Steve Donahue, the athletic trainer for the New York Yankees.

December 12, 2007 - NJCPT Helps Local Families in Cat Adoption

At NJCPT, we often help patients and friends with adoption of local animals from shelters. John and Carol W., two of our amazing patients, were kind enough to write the following letter...

Dear Ben, Thank you for making it possible for us to adopt a new family pet. Jack is a male cat, approximately 3 years old. He is very sweet and affectionate and doesn't seem to be stressed out by our in-your-face big yellow lab, Jasper, or our first cat, Rocky.

I know your kindness and concern for homeless animals is an extension of your concern for all who come to the center in need of physical therapy. Your staff, dedicated and highly skilled, follow your guidelines for giving the ultimate in care.

While having our physical therapy needs met, our cares are listened to with a kind and patient ear. Our thirst is quenched and our growling tummies are fed. We are absorbed into a soothing family atmosphere. Therapists and patients become friends. We see familiar faces as we come back again and again, over many years.

Your center is a model for treating people with respect, and dignity. Thank you again, for Jack, and for all of the times we were helped with physical therapy.

Sincerely,
John and Carol W.