Physical Therapists & Staff of Beyond Basics Physical Therapy

Our Staff

Our Staff Physical Therapists:
Amy Stein, MPT, BCIA-PMDB
Roseanne Cruz, DPT
Dania M. Kafka, MS, PT, DPT
Stephanie Lutz, PT, DPT
Miryl Friedman, DPT
Dustienne Miller, MSPT
Michele McGurk B. Sc

E-mail a Question to the Experts

If you have any questions regarding physical therapy treatment, please e-mail us at
helpdeskbeyondbasicsphysicaltherapy.com and one of our physical therapists will get back to you within 2-3 business days. You are also welcome to call at anytime with any questions.

All Beyond Basics staff participate in ongoing continuing education in their specialties.

All Beyond Basics physical therapists are licensed in the State of New York and hold a master's degree in physical therapy with specialized training in pelvic floor dysfunction, women's health care, and orthopedic injuries. In addition, all physical therapists have extensive training in manual therapy.

Amy Stein, MPT, BCIA-PMDB
Physical Therapist

Amy Stein is the founder and a practitioner of Beyond Basics Physical Therapy in NYC, specializing in pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic pain, women's health, and manual therapy for men, women, and children while taking a holistic approach to each patient's entire well-being. She is the author of Heal Pelvic Pain, an easy-read, self-help book. Amy is also a contributor to the medical textbook, Female Sexual Pain Disorders: Evaluation and Management, and serves on the board of the International Pelvic Pain Society, since 2007. She is a well recognized expert in her field, lectures nationwide, and has been interviewed in media outlets ranging from the medical segments of popular TV news shows, like ABC's 20/20 to such newspapers as the New York Daily News to internet sites like www.ourgyn.com. She is also an editor of painchannel.com and a member of the NVA, ICA, as well as many other organizations. Amy received her Masters in Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University and is currently working towards her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Roseanne Cruz, DPT
Physical Therapist

Roseanne Cruz, PT, DPT, received her B.S. and her doctoral (DPT) degree from New York University. Before joining Beyond Basics Physical Therapy, Roseanne worked with patients who were diagnosed with various neurological and orthopedic issues such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, total joint replacements, and low back pain. Roseanne has been interested in working with patients with pelvic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, and lymphedema for many years and has spoken in the Greater New York area on these topics.

Roseanne Cruz, PT, DPT, LLCC earned, and successfully received, her Lymphedema/CDP Certification though the Upledger Insitute. She began, and is currently the head physical therapist for, the Lymphedema Program, which addresses the upper and lower extremities and the trunk region in men, women, and children.

Dania M. Kafka, MS, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist

Dania M. Kafka, MS, PT, DPT, received her BA at Barnard College and completed her Masters and Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is the founder and director of the Pilates Program at Beyond Basics Physical Therapy, has extensive training and knowledge in Pilates. Dania has extensive training and experience in orthopedics, manual therapy, women's health, and pelvic floor dysfunction in men, women, and children. She has been working at Beyond Basics Physical Therapy since 2007. Dania is currently training at the Kane School - a comprehensive Pilates certification program in both mat and equipment, well-known for its intensive study of anatomy, biomechanics, injuries, and palpation skills. Dania danced for many years as well as studied and practiced in performing arts physical therapy.

Dania is a member of the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS), the National Vulvodynia Association (NVA), the Interstitial Cystitis Network (ICN), the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA), the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the women's health, and orthopedic special interest groups within the APTA.

Stephanie Lutz, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist

Stephanie Lutz, DPT, received her B.A. in Biological Sciences from University of Delaware and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. While at Thomas Jefferson University, Stephanie became interested in women's and men's health issues and completed a specialized internship focused on pelvic pain and sacroiliac dysfunction. Prior to joining Beyond Basics Physical Therapy, Stephanie worked with patients with a variety of orthopedic conditions and sports injuries. Stephanie has completed extensive training in male and female pelvic floor dysfunction as well as prenatal and postpartum care. Stephanie resides in Hoboken, NJ, and enjoys running, yoga and traveling.

Stephanie is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association's Orthopedic and Women's Health Interest Sections, International Pelvic Pain Society, and National Vulvodynia Association.

Miryl Friedman, DPT
Physical Therapist

Miri Friedman, DPT received her B.S., Masters and Doctoral degrees from SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Miri has extensive training in Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Women’s and Men’s health issues. She has a solid background in orthopedic and manual therapy with an emphasis on postural stability and awareness. Miri is a STOTT® Pilates trained instructor in both Reformer and Mat repertoires. Prior to joining the Beyond Basics team, Miri worked with patients from orthopedic, neurologic and pediatric populations. Miri enjoys traveling, swimming, dance and especially spending time with her husband and children.

Dustienne Miller, MSPT
Physical Therapist

Dustienne Miller, MSPT

Dustienne Miller graduated with her Masters in Physical Therapy from Russell Sage College. She began specializing in women's health in 2007 by studying with the Herman and Wallace Institute. She has also studied Craniosacral Therapy and Visceral Mobilization with the Upledger Institute. To sharpen her orthopedic skills, she also continues her education by taking courses through the Institute of Physical Art.

Dustienne had the pleasure of becoming a certified yoga teacher through the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in 2004. Also a professional dancer, her musical theatre credits include the national tour of Fosse and regional productions of Chicago (Roxie), and A Chorus Line (Kristine, Val, Bebe, Judy).

Dustienne passionately believes in the role of physical therapy in a holistic model of care. Helping women navigate through pelvic pain and incontinence is an extraordinary experience and she is grateful to be a part of the knowledgeable and caring staff at Beyond Basics.

Michele McGurk B. Sc
Physical Therapist

Michele McGurk B. Sc

Michele McGurk, a native of Ireland, graduated with a B. Sc in Physical Therapy at the University College of Dublin, Ireland in 2001. She has had a special interest in the evaluation and treatment of pelvic pain for the past 10 years. Michele moved to the U.S in 2003 and has gained extensive experience and training in orthopedics, sports medicine, manual therapy, women’s and men’s health. She received her pelvic floor education though the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. Since 2007, Michele has also integrated an osteopathic approach to her manual therapy techniques using Craniosacral Therapy (Upledger Institute) and Visceral Manipulation (Barral Institute). She has found that these techniques have been helpful for treating many disorders including neurological conditions, musculoskeletal problems, chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, fibroids and cysts, bladder issues, post-operative scar tissue, fibromyalgia and IBS. Michele strongly believes in combining all of her skills to promote awareness, wellbeing and healing of her patients.

Office Administration:

Karen Medina Office Manager	Alison Izaguirre Ana Beltré Yarisa Rivas Front Desk Administrators
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