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Balance and Dizziness

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.

For individuals with balance problems, their primary symptom is usually dizziness or a feeling that the room is spinning or moving, even when they are standing or sitting still. Yet, other symptoms include blurred vision, nausea, mental disorientation, fear and anxiety, difficulty focusing, tiredness and irregular heartbeat or blood pressure. Thus, there’s no question that balance and dizziness affect one’s quality of life.

There are a multitude of potential causes of dizziness including ear infection, head injury, poor blood circulation, prescription medication, chemical imbalance, arthritis, aging or neurological disorders. Testing and treatment for balance and dizziness is anything but straightforward.

When it comes to determining the underlying cause of a patient’s balance and dizziness concerns, physiatrists are in a unique position, with specialized training across many disciplines. The Howard Liss, M.D. Rehabilitation Institute takes into account multiple systems and how they affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons.

Consider the following balance and dizziness condition:

 

Treatment and Rehabilitation for Balance and Dizziness

Physiatrists understand that effective treatment and rehabilitation for balance and dizziness conditions are a multifunctional one, consisting of a team of medical professionals, clinicians, physical and occupational therapists and interventionists. Because balance and dizziness encompasses multiple systems, including the vestibular system, physiatrists work closely with neurologists. They also work with ear, nose and throat specialists and other physicians as needed to determine and organize individualized treatment for each case.

While a consideration of an individual’s health history is important, a complete assessment is administered to test the patient’s balance. Advancements in technology such as platform posturography testing using the SMART Balance Master EquiTest are an example. While testing provides physiatrists with results concerning a patient’s condition, they also provide pertinent diagnostic information that helps shape treatment and ongoing rehabilitation.

For balance and dizziness, vestibular habituation and gaze stabilization are specific exercises used to re-train the vestibular system. This system is the control center or sensory network that contributes to one’s sense of balance and spatial orientation. Retraining this system enhances an individual’s ability to coordinate movements with balance. Additional training can be applied to improve steadiness with specific walking and standing exercises. Other techniques involve moving the head in different directions to reduce the spinning sensation. This is known as the Epley Canalith Repositioning Maneuver.

At the Howard Liss, M.D. Rehabilitation Institute, patients can rely on Dr. Liss to put together the right treatment, therapy and rehabilitation plan to ensure the most optimal outcome. 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. With extensive education and exposure to a variety of conditions that affect the cervical and lumbar spine, bones, nerves, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, brain, and spinal cord, Dr. Liss is uniquely positioned to help patients manage their pain and maximize their functioning.

To schedule an appointment, contact the Howard Liss, M.D. Rehabilitation Institute today.

 
 

Rehabilitation Institute

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

Call Us: (201) 390-9200