Dominic Stone
Muscle pain can be caused by various factors, including injury, illness, infection, or chronic medical conditions. While most muscle pain is minor and temporary, responding well to rest and over-the-counter pain relievers, it can sometimes indicate a more serious condition. It is important to seek medical attention, especially if the pain is severe, persistent, or interferes with your daily life. The type of doctor you should see for muscle issues depends on the cause and severity of the pain. Your primary care provider or regular doctor is usually the first point of contact, and they may refer you to a specialist if needed. Specialists who treat muscle issues include physiatrists, rheumatologists, orthopaedic doctors, neurologists, and pain management specialists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle pain caused by nerve issues | Neurologist |
| Muscle pain accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness | Neurologist |
| Muscle pain related to autoimmune conditions or inflammatory diseases | Rheumatologist |
| Muscle pain caused by injury or condition | Orthopedic doctor |
| Muscle pain caused by exercise, sports, repetitive stress or impact injuries | Orthopedic doctor |
| Muscle pain caused by dehydration | PCP |
| Muscle pain caused by the flu or COVID-19 | PCP |
| Muscle pain caused by osteoarthritis | Rheumatologist, Physiatrist, Orthopedist, Sports Medicine doctor, or Osteopathic doctor |
| Muscle pain that doesn't respond to traditional treatments | Pain management specialist |
| Muscle pain without a clear cause | Primary care sports medicine specialist |
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What You'll Learn
Orthopaedic specialists for sports injuries
Orthopaedic specialists are experts in treating sports injuries, whether sudden or chronic. They can help pinpoint the cause of your pain and provide treatment to alleviate discomfort. Orthopaedic specialists offer both surgical and non-surgical treatments, including physical therapy and rehabilitation. Their goal is to help patients return to their previous level of activity and performance.
When experiencing muscle pain, it is important to determine whether it is necessary to seek medical advice. Persistent muscle pain that does not improve with rest, self-care, or over-the-counter medication may require further investigation by an orthopaedic specialist. Additionally, redness and swelling around a sore muscle, systemic muscle pain, and pain that affects sleep or certain movements could be indicators for a specialist's assessment.
Orthopaedic specialists can treat various sports-related injuries, such as tennis elbow, ACL tears, and bone fractures. They are well-versed in minimally invasive techniques, including joint arthroscopy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, which boost the healing process. Their expertise also extends to treating nerve-related muscle pain and autoimmune or inflammatory conditions that affect muscle function.
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Rheumatologists for inflammatory diseases
If you are experiencing muscle pain, it can be difficult to know when to visit a physician. Muscle pain caused by nerve issues, for example, should be addressed by a neurologist, who can treat conditions such as neuropathy and multiple sclerosis. If your muscle pain is related to autoimmune conditions or inflammatory diseases, you should consult a rheumatologist.
Rheumatologists are internal medicine physicians with specialized training in rheumatology. Rheumatology is the study of rheumatic diseases, which are mostly chronic inflammatory conditions that affect your connective tissues, including bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Many rheumatic diseases are autoimmune disorders, like inflammatory arthritis, but rheumatologists also treat muscle conditions and rare, inherited disorders.
There are more than 100 types of rheumatic diseases and other conditions that rheumatologists treat, including certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome, scleroderma, vasculitis, and myositis. Rheumatologists diagnose and treat complex conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues, helping people manage musculoskeletal pain and repress chronic inflammation. They focus on reducing inflammation and managing pain through medications, lifestyle changes, and other therapies.
If you are suffering from joint symptoms such as pain and swelling, you should schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist for an evaluation. Certain symptoms or complaints will prompt primary care doctors to order blood tests that may indicate the presence of rheumatic diseases. If you test positive for one of these tests, you should meet with a rheumatologist to determine if your symptoms might indicate an underlying condition.
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Neurologists for nerve issues
If you are experiencing muscle pain caused by nerve issues, a neurologist is the right doctor to see. Neurologists are medical doctors who specialize in the nervous system and can diagnose and treat pain stemming from nerve damage. They have an in-depth understanding of the anatomy, function, and conditions that affect the nerves and nervous system.
Neurologists can help identify whether a neurological disorder is the underlying cause of your muscle pain and recommend appropriate treatments. They commonly treat conditions such as neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, and other disorders that affect muscle function through nerve pathways. If you are experiencing persistent or severe nerve pain that is interfering with your daily life or is accompanied by other neurological symptoms, it is advisable to consult a neurologist.
Neurologists perform comprehensive evaluations, including physical examinations, nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), imaging tests like MRI or CT scans, and sometimes blood tests to identify the underlying causes of nerve pain. They may also recommend medications such as anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or opioids to manage nerve pain. Additionally, they may suggest physical therapy, nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, or other interventional procedures.
In the case of spinal injuries, neurologists can evaluate signs and symptoms of neurological impairment and diagnose traumatic brain injuries using tools that monitor brain activity and nerve responses. They are skilled in performing surgery in specific areas of the spine, such as the dura, which is beyond the scope of orthopedic doctors.
If you are experiencing muscle pain related to nerve issues, a neurologist is the specialist equipped to provide expert advice, diagnosis, and treatment tailored to your specific condition.
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Primary care sports medicine specialists
Primary care sports medicine is non-surgical care. It involves comprehensive healthcare for the active patient, including the diagnosis and treatment of sports or activity-related and unrelated injuries and illnesses. Manual techniques are often used to prevent and treat muscular and skeletal conditions common in athletes. These doctors also have special knowledge of the principles of athletic conditioning.
Primary care sports medicine physicians often work with athletes and physically active individuals to help them improve performance, enhance overall health, prevent injury, and maintain their physical activity throughout their lives. Some work with sports teams, universities, or fitness clubs. They may also consult with athletic trainers, coaches, and athletic directors on injury prevention and performance enhancement.
In addition to treating patients, primary care sports medicine physicians can also refer patients to surgeons if surgery is indicated. They take a comprehensive approach to patient care, focusing not only on the injury but also on the factors that may contribute to the recovery process.
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Pain management specialists
If you are experiencing muscle pain, it can be difficult to know when to visit a physician. If you have persistent muscle pain that does not improve with self-care or over-the-counter pain medication, redness and swelling around a sore muscle, pain that affects your sleep, or difficulty performing certain movements, you should seek medical advice. Depending on the type of pain you are experiencing, you may want to consult a pain management specialist.
If your muscle pain is caused by nerve issues, a neurologist may be the right doctor for you. Neurologists specialize in the nervous system and can diagnose and treat pain stemming from nerve damage. They can help identify whether a neurological disorder is the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatments. Similarly, if your muscle pain is related to autoimmune conditions or inflammatory diseases, a rheumatologist might be the specialist you need. Rheumatologists diagnose and treat diseases that affect the joints, muscles, and bones, and focus on reducing inflammation and managing pain.
Orthopedic and sports medicine physicians, including primary care sports medicine specialists and orthopedic surgeons, can also help with muscle pain. They are trained to diagnose and manage a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and can help pinpoint the cause of your pain and alleviate discomfort. Orthopedic issues often fall into one of two categories: sudden injuries or chronic, persistent pain. If you are unsure of the source of your pain, a sports medicine doctor can help clarify through a physical exam and X-rays.
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Frequently asked questions
A neurologist is the right doctor for muscle pain caused by nerve issues. They can help identify and treat pain stemming from nerve damage.
Orthopaedic specialists, rheumatologists, physiatrists, sports medicine doctors, osteopathic doctors, and pain management specialists are all doctors that treat muscle pain. Depending on your symptoms, your primary care doctor can refer you to the right specialist.
If you have persistent muscle pain that does not improve with self-care or over-the-counter pain medication, redness and swelling around a sore muscle, or pain that is affecting your sleep, you should see a doctor for muscle pain.
