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Muscle pain can be caused by various factors, and the type of doctor treating it depends on the cause. Primary care providers, such as general practitioners or internists, often serve as the first point of contact and can provide initial treatments or referrals to specialists. Specialists who treat muscle pain include physiatrists (also known as physical medicine or rehabilitation doctors), orthopedic specialists, neurologists, osteopathic doctors, and rheumatologists. Physiatrists specialize in physical rehabilitation and managing chronic pain, while orthopedic specialists focus on musculoskeletal conditions, particularly injuries like strains and sprains. Neurologists treat neuromuscular diseases and nerve-related muscle pain, and rheumatologists address autoimmune and inflammatory conditions affecting joints, muscles, and bones. For specific conditions like muscular dystrophy, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, and neurologists may be involved. In addition to doctors, physical therapists play a crucial role in treating muscle pain through exercises, stretches, and manual therapy techniques.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Doctors for general muscle pain | PCP, physiatrist, orthopedist, neurologist, rheumatologist, pain management specialist, osteopathic doctor, orthopedic surgeon |
| Doctors for muscle pain caused by nerve issues | Neurologist |
| Doctors for muscle pain caused by autoimmune conditions or inflammatory diseases | Rheumatologist |
| Doctors for muscle pain caused by spinal cord injuries or lumbar strains | Physiatrist |
| Doctors for Duchenne muscular dystrophy | Cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, orthopedist, pain management doctor, bone health specialist |
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What You'll Learn
When to see a doctor for muscle pain
Muscle pain can often be treated at home with rest and self-care. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical advice to prevent further damage and get appropriate treatment:
- Persistent muscle pain that does not improve with self-care or over-the-counter pain medication
- Redness and swelling around a sore muscle, indicating an infection
- Systemic muscle pain, which may be caused by an infection or underlying illness
- Muscle pain caused by medication
- Pain that affects your sleep or is worse at night
- Pain or difficulty when performing certain movements, such as reaching backward, across your body, or raising your arm over your head
Depending on the symptoms and their severity, there are several specialists you can consult for muscle pain:
Primary Care Physicians (PCPs): PCPs can handle many common muscle pain problems and may prescribe initial treatments or pain relief strategies. They can also refer you to specialists if needed.
Physiatrists: Physiatrists specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They can diagnose and create treatment plans for muscle pain, including medication, physical therapy, and other therapies. They often work with physical therapists to tailor rehabilitation programs for patients. Physiatrists are especially equipped to treat muscle pain stemming from spinal cord injuries, lumbar strains, or spinal stenosis.
Orthopedic Doctors: Orthopedic doctors focus on the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They are ideal for treating muscle pain caused by injuries like strains and sprains, as well as pain related to sports, exercise, repetitive stress, or impact injuries.
Rheumatologists: Rheumatologists treat muscle aches and pains from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. They specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases affecting the joints, muscles, and bones.
Neurologists: Neurologists treat neuromuscular diseases and conditions affecting the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis and neuropathy. They are the right specialists to consult when muscle pain is accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness, as they can identify and treat neurological disorders.
Pain Management Specialists: For chronic muscle pain that doesn't respond to traditional treatments, pain management specialists can diagnose and treat all types of pain, including muscle pain, using techniques like nerve blocks, injections, and advanced pain relief therapies.
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Rheumatologists and orthopaedic doctors
Rheumatologists
Rheumatologists are doctors who specialise in inflammatory (rheumatic) diseases, which are degenerative, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system. They treat a wide range of conditions, including muscle conditions and rare, inherited disorders. Rheumatic diseases are complex and rheumatologists use many different methods, depending on a patient's symptoms and how they respond. Treatment plans are personalised and may include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), joint injections, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Rheumatologists treat many inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and polymyositis. They are often referred to as "arthritis doctors" and are particularly useful when there was no prior injury to the joint.
Orthopaedic Doctors
Orthopaedic doctors, also known as orthopaedists, are specialists in the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues. They are trained in diagnosing and treating bone and joint diseases and injuries, often involving orthopedic surgery. Orthopaedists are surgical specialists, whereas rheumatologists are medical specialists who use medication and other nonsurgical treatments. Orthopaedic doctors treat pain in the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They treat a wide range of conditions, including osteoarthritis, nerve pain, sports injuries, herniated discs, osteoporosis, arthritis, body trauma, and injuries from accidents. Orthopaedic doctors can also specialise in specific parts of the body, such as the knees.
Both rheumatologists and orthopaedic doctors play important roles in treating muscle pain and related conditions. Depending on the nature and cause of the muscle pain, one may be more suitable than the other.
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Physiatrists and neurologists
Physiatrists, also known as doctors of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), are experts in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They treat conditions of the bones, muscles, joints, brain, and nervous system. Physiatrists can treat muscle pain stemming from spinal cord injuries, lumbar strains, or osteoarthritis. They can also treat nerve issues and manage chronic pain. Physiatrists often work with physical therapists to tailor rehabilitation programs to each patient's needs.
Neurologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They treat neuromuscular diseases that affect muscle function, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases. Neurologists can also help with muscle pain accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness, as well as neurological disorders such as neuropathy and myasthenia gravis. They use various treatments, including medications, physical therapy, and other approaches like angiography, biopsy, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis.
Both physiatrists and neurologists play important roles in treating muscle-related conditions and improving patients' quality of life. Physiatrists focus on rehabilitation and non-surgical treatments, while neurologists specialize in neurological disorders and diseases affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Depending on the specific symptoms and needs of the patient, either a physiatrist or a neurologist may be the most appropriate specialist to consult.
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Pain management specialists
These specialists often work in collaboration with the patient's regular doctor to help them find relief. They also work with physical therapists to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans that address the root causes of muscle pain and prevent future injuries.
When deciding on a pain management specialist, it is important to choose a provider with the training and experience to treat your specific type of pain. They should have training beyond a doctor's specialty, such as a pain medicine fellowship. It is also recommended to select a "board-certified" specialist, indicating they have passed in-depth tests in fields like anesthesiology, neurology, or physical medicine and rehabilitation.
In addition to pain management specialists, other doctors that treat muscle pain include PCPs, physiatrists, rheumatologists, neurologists, orthopedic doctors, and osteopathic doctors.
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Cardiologists and gastroenterologists
Cardiologists are doctors who specialize in the study and treatment of disorders of the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart, arteries, and veins. They can treat or help prevent cardiovascular problems, such as heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, heart valve issues, and congenital heart conditions. Cardiologists may recommend lifestyle changes, medications, and cardiac procedures like heart catheterizations and pacemaker placements. They do not perform heart surgeries but can refer patients to cardiac surgeons if needed.
Gastroenterologists, also known as GI specialists or GI doctors, are experts in gastrointestinal diseases and conditions affecting the digestive system. They treat organs in the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, bile ducts, pancreas, and gallbladder. Gastroenterologists perform diagnostic procedures like endoscopies, colonoscopies, ultrasounds, and biopsies, and they can also provide treatments through the endoscope, such as relieving blockages, opening narrowed channels, stopping bleeding, and removing tumors. They are often the first to detect cancers in the digestive system and can provide expert care for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and celiac disease.
While cardiologists focus on the cardiovascular system, and gastroenterologists specialize in the digestive system, both types of doctors play crucial roles in diagnosing, treating, and managing conditions affecting these respective systems. Cardiologists address heart-related issues, while gastroenterologists deal with problems arising in the digestive tract and its associated organs.
In summary, cardiologists and gastroenterologists are specialized physicians who address distinct yet vital aspects of human health, ensuring comprehensive care for patients experiencing cardiovascular or gastrointestinal concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have muscle pain, you should first try treating the pain yourself. You can do this by resting, staying hydrated, and making sure you are consuming enough vitamins B, C, and D. If the pain does not improve within one to two weeks, you should see a doctor.
Your first stop should be your primary care provider (PCP). They can refer you to a specialist if your condition requires more targeted care. Specialists who treat muscle pain include physiatrists, orthopaedic doctors, neurologists, osteopathic doctors, and rheumatologists.
Doctors of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatrists, are experts in managing chronic pain. They can help improve your mobility and quality of life by creating treatment plans, which may include medication, physical therapy, or other therapies.
Rheumatologists are specialists who treat muscle aches and pains from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory and/or autoimmune conditions.
