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Meet Dr. Liss

Dr. Howard Liss treats disorders that cause pain and disability by providing consultative services and soft tissue and joint injections when needed. When medically appropriate, he makes specific referrals for diagnostic testing (lab work, imaging, electrodiagnosis), physical and occupational therapy, interventional procedures (epidurals and facet joint injections), and surgery.

Howard Liss, M.D. Rehabilitation Institute

Dr. Howard LissContinuing his dream of creating a treatment facility for the effective management of pain and disability, Howard Liss, M.D. optimizes patient care at his rehabilitation institute in Tenafly, New Jersey.

In all facets of life, Dr. Liss appreciates the value of physical well-being and understands that physiological wellness contributes to psychological wellness. With this in mind, Dr. Liss assumes a multidisciplinary approach as a physiatrist. He considers a wide variety of conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons. Given his training and exposure to diverse pathology, orthopedics, neurology and rheumatology, Dr. Liss is best positioned to discern and develop treatment protocols for a multitude of diseases, disorders and conditions.

rehabilitation equipment

Services Offered in Office

  • Consultative services
  • Electrodiagnostic Testing - EMG
  • Sports, spine and rehabilitation medicine
  • Pain management
  • Musculoskeletal medicine
  • Rehabilitation
  • Physical therapy
  • Exercise therapy

Referral Services

rehabilitation therapy balls

At the Howard Liss, M.D. Rehabilitation Institute, a variety of services are offered. Dr. Liss works closely with other specialists required to rehabilitate patients suffering from chronic pain or serious injuries and Dr. Liss will refer patients as needed to ensure appropriate treatment for all of the following:

  • Epidural injections
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Exercise therapy
  • Hand therapy

Comments from Dr. Liss

Dr. Howard Liss consultation

I have taught and learned from staying deeply involved in education. I have chaired several national courses on physical diagnosis, lumbar disc disease, and rotator cuff disease. I have founded and spent most of my career chairing academic societies. I have authored book chapters on physical diagnosis and the nonoperative management of lumbar disc disease. I instituted regular lectures and patient discussion sessions within my practice.

I have treated thousands of patients with pain and disability and have learned a great deal from doing so by paying very close attention to histories, examinations, and patients’ responses to treatments. When I refer patients to other clinicians I do my best to select those that can best treat the patient.

Philosophy and Approach to Patient Care

The most important diagnostic tool is the patient’s history followed by the physical examination.

Most of my patients do not need x-rays or other diagnostic tests such as CT scans, MRIs, etc.

Diagnostic studies should only be ordered when there is a concern about the patient’s diagnosis or if they may have an impact on the patient’s care.

physical therapy doctor patient

The body often heals itself and it is important to recognize the many instances when little to no treatment is necessary.

A number of conditions can be improved or resolved through a modification of posture and body mechanics.

Very few conditions are cured by medications all of which have a risk of side effects.

Every treatment must be considered in terms of it’s potential for beneficial versus ill effect.

With every patient interaction I make certain that there isn’t an indication of a serious condition that must be promptly diagnosed. Rarely do my patients have serious conditions in need of urgent attention but this possibility is always considered.

Therapists can contribute greatly to determining the diagnosis of patients’ problems. They have many treatment tools.

A very specific diagnosis facilitates the administration of precise treatment. The possible treatment could include therapy, medication, injections, orthotics, or surgery.

One must address the emotional component when treating pain and disability.

Management decisions should vary depending on the patient’s life circumstances.

Most musculoskeletal problems can be successfully addressed non-operatively but there are occasions when surgery is the best treatment option or the least risky option.

Howard Liss, M.D. Educational Background

With an appreciation for educational training and lifelong learning, Howard Liss, M.D. has regularly organized in-office academics. He continues to teach and mentor residents at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, where he once served as Chief Resident in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Liss’s educational background is listed below.

Residency 1978 – 1981, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Rehabilitation medicine (with electromyography (EMG) and additional time in orthopedics, sports medicine, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation) – Columbia Presbyterian is a tertiary referral center with enormous expertise in orthopedics, neurology, neurosurgery and rheumatology. I saw patients with unusual diagnoses that many doctors only get to read about. I was chosen to be the chief resident for two years – unheard of – which placed me in a position to contribute to and shape the teaching program. I was also teaching more junior residents a great deal. I worked closely with the physical therapists and occupational therapists and found that we learned from each other. I was permitted to attend orthopedic specialty clinics and spend elective time outside of Columbia at HSS sports medicine clinic and with various pain management practices.

Internship 1978 – 1981, Montefoire Hospital, Bronx, NY. Surgery Categorical (1977-1978, including five months of internal medicine) – Montefiore presented broad exposure during internship, 6 months surgery and 5 months of internal medicine.

Medical School 1973 – 1977, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan (M.D. 1973-1977 with distinction) – Wayne State Medical School presented a great opportunity to learn, only medical school in Detroit, well endowed, devoted teachers, organized by organ system.

College 1970 – 1973, New York University, University College or Arts and Sciences, Bronx, 1970-1973, NY, with a BA in chemistry.

Secondary School 1966 – 1970, Bronx High School of Science, Bronx, NY.

Having an extraordinary impact on coordinating the educational programming at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center towards sports and orthopedic diagnosis and rehabilitation, Dr. Liss remains a well-respected leader in his field, with substantial appointments.

Academic Appointments

  • 1991 – Present, Assistant Clinical Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY
  • 1981 – 1991, Associate in Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Columbia University, New York, NY
  • 1978 – 1981, Visiting Clinical Fellow, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Columbia University, New York, NY.

Hospital Appointments

  • 2000 – 2008, Executive Board Member, Jewish Home and Rehabilitation Center, River Vale, New Jersey
  • 1981 – Present, Assistant Attending, Rehabilitation Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
  • 1998 – Present, Medical Staff, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jewish Home and Rehabilitation Center, River Vale, New Jersey
  • 1994 – 1997, Director of Musculoskeletal and Sports Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY
  • 1994 – 1997, Attending, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Meadowlands Hospital and Medical Center, Secaucus, New Jersey
  • 1993 – 2002, Chief, Rehabilitation Medicine, Bergen Regional Medical Center, Paramus, New Jersey
  • 1983 – 2012, Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, Section of Physiatry, Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, New Jersey
  • 1983 – 1996, Chief of Rehabilitation Medicine, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood, New Jersey
  • 1986 – 1999, Medical Director, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Barnert Hospital, Paterson, New Jersey
  • 1986 – 1994, Medical Director, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Meadowlands Hospital and Medical Center, Secaucus, New Jersey
  • 1981 – Present, Attending in Rehabilitation Medicine, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey
  • 1981 – 1982, Director of In-Patient Rehabilitation Unit, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY

License and Board Certification

  • 1982 board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation
  • 1981 Licensed in the State of New Jersey (39031)
  • 1979 Diplomat, National Board of Medical Examiners
  • 1977 Licensed in the State of New York (132322)

Society Memberships and Special Awards

  • 2003 – Present: North American Spine Society
  • 2003 – Present: Association of Academic Physiatrists
  • 2003 – Present: American Physicians Fellowship for Medicine in Israel
  • 2003 – Founder, President, Northern Valley Rehabilitation Society
  • 1997 – 2001 – Credentials Committee, Bergen Regional Medical Center
  • 1997 – 2000 – Legislative Committee, New Jersey Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • 1997 – 2001 – Marketing and Communications Committee, PASSOR
  • 1995 – 2002 – Board of Clinical Advisors, American Running and Fitness Association
  • 1995 – 1997 – Physician’s Panel Committee, Barnert Hospital
  • 1995 – 1997 – Institutional Review Board, Barnert Hospital
  • 1994 – Present – Fellow, PASSOR
  • 1994 – 1998 – Health Policy and Legislation Committee, PASSOR
  • 1994 – 1996 – Quality Assurance/Utilization Review Subcommittee, Englewood Hospital
  • 1994 – 1996 – Sports Medicine Consultant, Department of Athletics, Yeshiva University
  • 1994 – 1998 – Medicare Consultant, Pennsylvania Blue Cross/Blue Shield
  • 1993 – 1997 – Delegate Member, New Jersey Carrier Advisory Committee
  • 1990 – 1991 – Chairman, Ambulatory Care Committee, Barnert Hospital
  • 1989 – 1990 – Treasurer, New Jersey Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • 1988 – 1990 – Co-Chairman, Public Affairs Committee, New Jersey Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • 1987 – 2000 – American College of Sports Medicine
  • 1987 – 1995 – American Pain Society
  • 1985 – 1986 – Rehabilitation Consultant, Sports Medicine Committee, Englewood Hospital
  • 1985 – 1995 – New Jersey Association of Electromyography and Electrodiagnosis
  • 1985 – Present – New Jersey Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • 1984 – Present – American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • 1984 – Present – American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
  • 1984 – 1998 – American Association of Electromyography and Electrodiagnosis
  • 1984 – Present – Bergen County Medical Society
  • 1984 – Present – Medical Society of the State of New Jersey
  • 1981 – Present – Israel Medical Association
  • 1979 – 1998 – New York Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • 1979 – Present – American Medical Association
  • 1977 – Present – Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity
  • 1977 – Mosby Scholarship Book Award
  • 1976 – Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Society

Presentations

  • Lumbar Disc Disease in Children, Pediatric Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Low Back Pain in Pregnancy, OB-GYN Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Lateral Lumbar Disc Herniation. Department of Medicine Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Unraveling the Complex Neuromusculoskeletal Patient: using a myofascial pain perspective. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida.
  • Physical Diagnosis in Back Disorders. Course Chairman, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida
  • The Physical Diagnosis of Low Back Disorders, Course Chairman, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Annual Conference, Anaheim, California.
  • Clinical Presentation of Lumbar Disc Disease. Second Annual Musculoskeletal and Sports Rehabilitation Focus Conference, “Management of Lumbar Disc Disease,” Meadowlands Hilton, Secaucus, New Jersey
  • Neck and Shoulder Pain. Englewood Hospital, Department of Medicine
  • Differential Diagnosis: Neuropathic and Joint Considerations. First Annual Musculoskeletal and Sports Rehabilitation Focus Conference, “Disorders of the Rotator Cuff,” Meadowlands Hilton, Secaucus, New Jersey
  • Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain. Emergency Room, Englewood Hospital, Department Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, NJ
  • Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Patellofemoral Syndrome in Adolescents, Pediatric Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Aggressive Non-Operative Management of Lumbar Disc Disease Surgical Society, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Role of Rehabilitation Medicine in Chronic Pain, Psychiatry Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Conservative Management of Lumbar Disc Disease. Neurology Grand Rounds, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY
  • Conservative Management of Lumbar Disc Disease. Orthopedic Grand Rounds, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY
  • Conservative Management of Lumbar Disc Disease. Neurosurgical Grand Rounds, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY
  • Lumbar Pain in Pregnancy. OB-GYN Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Management of Soft Tissue Injuries, Bergen County Bar Association
  • Conservative Management of Lumbar Disc Disease. Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Conservative Management of Lumbar Disc Disease. Annual Meeting of Legal and Industrial Medical Society, New York
  • Rehabilitation Options in Arthritis. New Jersey Arthritis Society, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Pediatric Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Management of Athletic Injuries in Adolescents. Pediatric Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Annual Vascular Symposium, Atlanta City, New Jersey
  • Rehabilitation of Amputees. Vascular Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients. Medical Grand Rounds, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Role of Rehabilitation in Oncologic Patients. Tumor Board, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey
  • Electrodiagnosis. New York Society of Podiatry, New York
  • Neurogenic Bladder. Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY
  • Transverse Myelitis. Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY

Publications

  • Lumbar radicular pain- Medical Rehabilitation”, Interventional Spine: An Algorithmic Approach – Saunders Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA, 2008
  • Co-Authored chapter, “The History and Past History of Low Back Pain,” The Low Back Pain Handbook. A Guide for the Primary Care Clinician. Hanley & Belfus, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, In Press, Second Edition, 2003
  • Consultant to the Editor, Every Woman’s Guide to Natural Home Remedies, Doubleday Direct, Inc., Garden City, New York, 1996
  • Co-Authored chapter, “The History and Past History of Low Back Pain,” The Low Back Pain Handbook: A Guide for the Primary Care Clinician. Hanley & Belfus, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, In Press, March, 1996
  • The Current Role of Electrodiagnostic Testing in Thoracic Outlet Syndromes, Howard Liss, M.D.; Donald Liss, M.D.: Contemporary Surgery, June, 1985
  • Roundtable on Chronic Pain, Patient Care Magazine, February-April, 1983
 
 

Rehabilitation Institute

111 Dean Drive Suite 1
Tenafly, NJ, 07670
Fax: (201) 871-2214

Call Us: (201) 390-9200