Today we’d like to introduce you to John Lane.
Hi John, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Around 10 years ago I had a neighbor who I was not allowed to professionally help because I was serving in the Army in a state where I was not licensed. I started The 2nd Look as a business during my next / last active duty assignment in part to resolve that internal conflict. My original aim of taking two roles (1) supporting other physical therapists who had completed specific continuing education courses on dry needling- to give them a second look at the material in the classes while in a clinical setting as well as (2) a clinical provider available for neuromuscular evaluation and treatment as a second opinion was trimmed to being just a clinical provider. Both then and now my aim has been to make available to the general public what I had learned and was providing service to Active Duty beneficiaries. The 2nd Look was very limited in time available until I retired from the Army in September 2020, then I expanded to near full time activity between September 2020 and October 2021. The business was set up in multiple locations in the Leavenworth area but found most activity with Bella Vita Salon and Spa based on established clientele and location. The 2nd Look was closed for 3 years as I took a position in Germany, then re-opened in October 2024 when I returned to Kansas, albeit with full time employment in the Manhattan/Ft Riley area. I re-established the business relationship with Bella Vita as the primary location of services in the Northeast Kansas / metro Kansas City area.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would not call the business path as a smooth road, but after observing a nationally recognized chain open and close an office at a location just down the road within the same 3-4 year time period I had set up near full time then returned from Germany that I can say that I have been honest with myself about the identity and role of the business as it exists now in a near saturated market. The path for the 2nd Look as a business will always be influenced by the name of the business; an occasional client will ask why a physical therapist would not include physical therapy as part of the business name. I believe that the lack of common exercise equipment and treatment modalities would create perceptions of dishonest advertising. The business path was influenced early by the pandemic (general activity and very limited engagement with potential medical providers as referral sources) then more so by taking positions out of the area.
The nature of what clinical presentations I focus on leads to a limited number of visits compared to many physical therapy practices. Most of my clients who have required more than a few visits have been assisted in multiple regions at different times.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a physical therapist who practiced exclusively in the Army for 20 years all of my practice was focused on patients with orthopedic concerns. My last six years in service were at facilities with multiple providers (5 to 15 PTs) and I was the consultation source for chronic neuromuscular complaints (primarily pain and tension) to treat with dry needling after spending three years learning what combinations of examination findings matched up to individual muscle concerns and common combinations of altered muscular function.
I have observed multiple sources for common areas of complaint that are often referred from other locations (front of shoulder, upper back to neck, and lower back to the hip) with developed understanding of what combinations of test findings lead to what structures are relevant and provide consistent responses to treatment.
While I look at the same tests as most physical therapists I have met, I recognize that I give a different emphasis to certain relationships. I am pleased to have found different paths that can come to the same conclusion and to have recognized different exercise combinations to engage areas of concern without needing specific equipment.
How do you define success?
I would love to point at my personal gold standard of exceeding client expectations, but it would take away the more common measures. I have seen over 6 clients (over a 14 year period) who have started to cry out of relief after having months to years of persisting complaints and many other treatments attempted. I have felt successful when I have seen multiple family members for my approach. About 20% of my total client list includes family relationships between clients; a couple families have exceeded 5 family members. Looking at my last year of business I can say that nearly a third of my clients have been from family members of old or new clients.
I have also felt successful when I have clients who have returned with new concerns that were recognized to be consistent with prior concerns. Whereas the initial complaints were experienced for months to years prior to care, new concerns would be addressed within weeks.
Pricing:
- Pricing is independent of insurance but compares to co-pay rates
- Initial consultation and treatment is $40
- Follow up care pricing ranges between $20-40.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jlthe2ndlook.wixsite.com/the2ndlook
- Instagram: @the2ndlookpt
- Facebook: The 2nd Look
- Youtube: @the2ndlookPT
