Bergen County, NJ · No referral needed
Balance and dizziness
Physical therapy in Bergen County, NJ. You can start without a doctor's referral.
Dizziness and unsteadiness make everyday life feel uncertain and raise the risk of a fall. Some kinds of dizziness, like brief spinning when you move your head, are often treated by physical therapists.
Some insurance plans and Medicare still ask for a doctor's note. We check yours before your first visit.
What we often see
- Brief spinning when you roll over in bed or look up (often BPPV)
- Unsteadiness when walking, especially in the dark or on uneven ground
- Worry about falling, or a recent fall
- Dizziness after a concussion
- Inner-ear problems that affect balance
Your first visit
We ask what the dizziness feels like and when it happens, then check your balance and walking and, for spinning dizziness, how your eyes and inner ear respond to changes in position. We agree on a plan with you.
When to see a doctor first
If any of these apply, please get medical care before booking. A physical therapist will also refer you on if something needs a doctor.
- Sudden dizziness with a drooping face, arm weakness, slurred speech or loss of vision: call 911, as these can be signs of a stroke.
- Dizziness with chest pain, a racing heart or fainting.
- A sudden, severe headache, or hearing loss that comes on suddenly.
Answers
Do you need a doctor's referral first? Not in New Jersey.
What is BPPV?
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: brief spinning when you change the position of your head, caused by tiny crystals in the inner ear moving where they shouldn't. Physical therapists often treat it with specific head movements, after checking that's what it is.
Can physical therapy lower my risk of falling?
Balance and strength exercises are a well-known way to lower the risk of falls in older adults, and that's what a balance plan is built on. It starts with a check of how you balance and walk today.
Book your first balance & dizziness evaluation
Three quick steps. About a minute. Some insurance plans and Medicare still ask for a doctor's note. We check yours before your first visit.
Other things we treat
This page explains how physical therapy works. It isn't a diagnosis or medical advice.