Dominic Stone
Muscle pain, or myalgia, is a common health issue that can be caused by several factors, including injury, exercise, stress, and health conditions. In most cases, muscle pain can be relieved through rest, ice, compression, elevation, and over-the-counter medications. However, if the pain persists or is severe, it may be necessary to seek medical attention. The type of doctor you should see for muscle pain depends on the underlying cause and severity of the issue. Your primary care provider is usually the first point of contact, and they can refer you to specialists if needed. Specialists that treat muscle-related issues include physiatrists, rheumatologists, neurologists, orthopaedic doctors, and physical therapists. These doctors employ various techniques, such as medication, physical therapy, nerve blocks, injections, and lifestyle changes, to address muscle pain and improve patients' quality of life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Specialisation | Musculoskeletal system, including muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons |
| Treatment methods | Surgical and non-surgical treatments |
| Treatment types | Pain medications, splints or braces, physical therapy, acupuncture, radiation, chemotherapy |
| Specialties | Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis-caused muscle pain, tendon pain, bone fractures, sports injuries, neuromuscular medicine |
| Training | Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, 5- to 7-year residency |
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What You'll Learn
Orthopedic doctors for sports injuries and surgery
Orthopedic doctors are specialists who treat musculoskeletal injuries and sports-related conditions. Orthopedic sports medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on sports-related injuries, exercise, and preventive care. Orthopedic doctors can treat broken bones and other musculoskeletal injuries that affect flexibility and mobility. They can also provide treatment for arthritis, joint pain, bone fractures, soft tissue injuries, muscle injuries, and ligament injuries.
Orthopedic sports medicine doctors often complete special training to approach each patient's concerns holistically and with the goal of optimizing physical performance. They can offer both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Non-surgical treatments may include pain analgesics, injections, and physical therapy to help manage musculoskeletal injuries. Surgery, on the other hand, can be an effective way to correct serious sports-related injuries, and robotic-assisted surgery is an option in some cases.
Orthopedic doctors can treat patients of all ages, from pediatric patients with sports-related injuries to collegiate-level athletes and casual sports enthusiasts. They often work in collaboration with sports rehabilitation therapists to provide comprehensive recovery plans that help patients return to their sports safely.
When experiencing muscle pain, it is advisable to first consult your primary care provider or general practitioner. They can assess your condition, recommend initial treatments, and refer you to specialists if needed. Specialists you may be referred to include physiatrists, rheumatologists, neurologists, or orthopedic doctors, depending on the cause and severity of your muscle pain.
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Physiatrists for physical medicine and rehabilitation
Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also known as physiatry, is a branch of medicine that focuses on improving and restoring functional ability and quality of life for people with physical impairments or disabilities. Physiatrists, or doctors of physical medicine and rehabilitation, specialise in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals disabled by disease, disorder, or injury.
Physiatrists are experts in managing chronic pain and improving mobility and quality of life for their patients. They treat a wide range of medical conditions, including musculoskeletal injuries, spinal cord and brain injuries, strokes, pain, and spasticity from muscle, ligament, or nerve damage. They are trained in medication management, electrodiagnosis, and targeted injections. Physiatrists often lead interdisciplinary rehabilitation teams in inpatient and outpatient settings, collaborating with physical therapists and other specialists to develop comprehensive treatment plans that address the root causes of pain and prevent future injuries.
When experiencing muscle pain, individuals typically first consult their primary care provider (PCP) or general practitioner. PCPs can handle many common muscle pain problems and may prescribe initial treatments or pain relief strategies. They also provide referrals to specialists if more targeted care is required. If the cause of muscle pain is unclear, PCPs may refer patients to physiatrists, who can help with diagnosis and creating a treatment plan. Physiatrists consider how muscles, nerves, bones, and joints interact to create a functioning, moving body, and they focus on functional ways to restore activity without surgery.
In addition to physiatrists, other specialists may be involved in treating muscle pain, depending on the underlying cause. For example, neurologists specialise in treating nerve-related muscle pain and can diagnose and treat neurological disorders affecting muscle function. Rheumatologists are experts in treating muscle pain related to autoimmune conditions or inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and polymyositis. They focus on reducing inflammation and managing pain through medications, lifestyle changes, and other therapies. Pain management specialists are another type of doctor that can help with chronic muscle pain by using techniques such as nerve blocks, injections, and advanced pain relief therapies.
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Rheumatologists for inflammatory diseases and arthritis
If you are experiencing muscle pain, your regular doctor is usually the first port of call. They will examine you, ask about your medical history, and may order tests to determine whether there is an underlying issue. If your muscle pain is caused by nerve issues, a neurologist is the right doctor. They can diagnose and treat pain stemming from nerve damage and identify whether a neurological disorder is the underlying cause.
However, if your muscle pain is related to autoimmune conditions or inflammatory diseases, a rheumatologist might be the specialist you need. Rheumatologists are physicians who treat diseases that affect the joints, muscles, and bones, such as various types of arthritis, lupus, polymyositis, and other rheumatic diseases. They focus on reducing inflammation and managing pain through medications, lifestyle changes, and other therapies.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the lining of your joints. It can cause uncontrolled inflammation that damages cartilage, which normally acts as a "shock absorber" in your joints. Over time, this can deform your joints and erode the bones within them. The exact cause of RA is unknown, but researchers think it is caused by a combination of genetics, hormones, and environmental factors. Smoking, obesity, infection, and physical or emotional stress may also be triggers.
If you are experiencing joint pain and swelling, it may be the first symptoms of rheumatic disease, so it is important to schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist for an evaluation. They are specially trained to do the "detective work" necessary to discover the cause of swelling and pain, and can help patients avoid waiting before receiving a diagnosis. Rheumatologists work closely with patients to identify the problem and design an individualised treatment program.
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Neurologists for nerve damage and neurological disorders
When experiencing muscle pain, the first point of contact is usually your primary care provider or general practitioner. They will check your medical history, ask about your symptoms, and may order tests to determine the underlying cause. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, they may refer you to a specialist for more targeted care.
If your muscle pain is caused by nerve issues, a neurologist is the right specialist. Neurologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They understand the anatomy, function, and conditions that affect the nervous system. This complex network controls everything from breathing and movement to thoughts and emotions. When something goes wrong, it can affect any part of the body, leading to various symptoms and health issues.
Neurologists manage and treat a wide range of neurological disorders, including:
- Headaches and migraines: These can range from episodic tension headaches to chronic migraines that do not respond to over-the-counter medications.
- Epilepsy: A disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
- Stroke: A condition caused by a disrupted blood supply to the brain.
- Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease: Progressive conditions impacting the brain and nervous system.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): An immune-mediated process affecting the central nervous system.
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Nerve damage outside the brain and spinal cord, often in the hands and feet, which can be caused by diabetes, chemotherapy, or other health conditions.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Injuries to the brain from external forces.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord that impairs its function.
Neurologists use various tests to diagnose and treat these conditions, including blood, urine, fluid tests, genetic testing, imaging studies, angiography, biopsy, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. They may also utilize nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) to assess nerve signal conduction speed and strength, which are critical in diagnosing nerve injuries and developing effective treatment plans.
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Pain management specialists for chronic pain
When experiencing muscle pain, the type of doctor to consult depends on the cause and severity of the pain. Primary care physicians (PCPs) are often the first point of contact, as they can address common muscle pain problems, prescribe initial treatments, and refer patients to specialists if needed.
Specialists that PCPs may refer patients to include physiatrists, rheumatologists, neurologists, and orthopedists. Physiatrists specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation, focusing on managing chronic pain, improving mobility, and enhancing patients' quality of life. They create tailored treatment plans that may include medication, physical therapy, or other therapies. Rheumatologists treat autoimmune conditions and inflammatory diseases affecting the joints, muscles, and bones, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and polymyositis. They aim to reduce inflammation and manage pain through medications, lifestyle changes, and various therapies. Neurologists specialize in the nervous system and treat pain stemming from nerve damage. They can help identify and treat neurological disorders that may be causing muscle pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Orthopedists focus on the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They are particularly effective in treating muscle pain caused by injuries, such as strains and sprains.
For chronic muscle pain that does not respond to traditional treatments, pain management specialists can be invaluable. They specialize in diagnosing and treating all types of pain, including muscle pain, using advanced techniques such as nerve blocks, injections, and innovative pain relief therapies. Physical therapists also play a crucial role in treating muscle pain by collaborating with doctors to develop comprehensive treatment plans that address the root causes of pain and prevent future injuries. They work with patients to improve movement and manage pain through exercises, stretches, and manual therapy techniques.
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Frequently asked questions
Your first stop should be your primary care provider, who can refer you to a specialist if necessary. Specialists who treat muscle pain include physiatrists, rheumatologists, neurologists, and orthopaedic doctors.
Muscle pain can be caused by exercise, playing sports, repetitive stress, impact injuries, or overuse. It can also be caused by dehydration, a lack of vitamins and minerals, or an illness such as the flu or COVID-19.
Most muscle pain will get better with rest and over-the-counter painkillers. You can also try icing the affected area and compression. If the pain doesn't improve within a week or two, or if it's accompanied by other symptoms, you should see a doctor.
