Dominic Stone
Muscle doctors are physicians who specialize in treating musculoskeletal conditions and disorders. The type of doctor you see for muscle pain depends on the cause and severity of the pain. Your primary care physician (PCP) is usually the first port of call for muscle pain. They will ask about your medical history and may order tests to determine an underlying issue. If your PCP cannot determine the cause of your pain, they may refer you to a specialist. Specialists include physiatrists, orthopedists, neurologists, and rheumatologists, each bringing a unique approach to treating muscle pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First port of call | Primary care provider (PCP) or family doctor |
| PCP's role | Take a medical history, order blood and imaging tests, prescribe pain relievers, refer to specialists |
| Muscle pain causes | Post-workout soreness, flu, COVID-19, dehydration, lack of rest, low vitamin D and calcium levels, joint pain, spinal cord injuries, lumbar strains, spinal stenosis, autoimmune conditions, inflammatory diseases |
| Specialists | Physiatrists, orthopedists, neurologists, rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, exercise physiologists, sports medicine doctors, osteopathic doctors, physical therapists, pain management specialists |
| Physiatrists' expertise | How muscles, nerves, bones, and joints interact to create a functioning, moving body |
| Physiatrists' approach | Prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, medication, physical therapy, other therapies |
| Orthopedists' focus | Musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons) |
| Orthopedists' treatment | Surgical and non-surgical treatments, arthritis, tendonitis, chronic joint pain |
| Neurologists' treatment | Neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, disorders that affect muscle function through nerve pathways, nerve damage, numbness, tingling, weakness, neurological disorders |
| Rheumatologists' treatment | Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, polymyositis, inflammatory and/or autoimmune conditions, reducing inflammation, managing pain through medications, lifestyle changes, and other therapies |
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What You'll Learn
Orthopedic surgeons and physicians
Orthopedic doctors, also called orthopedists, specialize in treating musculoskeletal conditions. They treat injuries and diseases involving muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. Orthopedic doctors can diagnose and create treatment plans for various conditions, including arthritis, hip dysplasia, scoliosis, bone cancer, back pain, and sports injuries. They can provide both surgical and nonsurgical treatments, typically opting for nonsurgical treatments first. Orthopedic doctors may recommend pain medications, splints or braces, physical therapy, or steroid injections before considering surgery. In severe cases, they may perform surgical procedures such as carpal tunnel release surgery or hip replacements.
Orthopedic surgeons are a type of orthopedic physician who provides operative treatment for severe injuries or trauma. They are trained to perform surgical procedures to address musculoskeletal issues. For example, they may perform a periacetabular osteotomy, making small cuts in the bone to reshape the hip socket.
Orthopedic physicians play a crucial role in early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of muscle and joint problems. They can help prevent more invasive procedures and permanent damage. For instance, they can diagnose and treat rotator cuff tears in the shoulder, reducing the risk of permanent loss of movement. Additionally, they can guide patients in changing their posture to better support strained wrists or injured joints, improving recovery and preventing further complications.
Orthopedic doctors work collaboratively with other specialists when treating complex cases. For instance, they collaborate with oncologists in treating cancer affecting the bones, muscles, soft tissues, or blood vessels. By working as part of a multidisciplinary team, orthopedic physicians can ensure comprehensive patient care.
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Physiatrists
A physiatrist is a physician who specialises in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They are trained to see patients as whole people, taking into account how a condition affects the patient's mind, body, and spirit. Physiatrists treat the same type of patients but differ in their specialities. Some physiatrists focus on the physical medicine side, treating patients with joint and back pain, as well as other types of pain. Others specialise in the rehabilitation side, treating patients with injuries to the central nervous system, such as strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis. Physiatrists are qualified to diagnose medical problems, design treatment plans, and prescribe medication.
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Rheumatologists
A rheumatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and systemic autoimmune conditions, often referred to as rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases can affect not only the musculoskeletal system but also the eyes, skin, nervous system, and internal organs.
The role of a rheumatologist primarily focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal diseases using non-surgical methods. They address conditions such as arthritis, bone cancer, back pain, and sports injuries. When dealing with joint pain, inflammation, or mobility issues, rheumatologists often serve as the primary caregivers. They may recommend X-rays, MRIs, or other imaging techniques to aid in diagnosis and develop personalized treatment plans.
In summary, rheumatologists are highly skilled physicians who play a crucial role in managing rheumatic diseases and musculoskeletal disorders. Their expertise lies in diagnosing and treating these conditions through non-surgical interventions, improving the quality of life for patients affected by these ailments.
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Neurologists
A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They are experts in the anatomy and function of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, and they use this knowledge to diagnose and treat neurological conditions. Neurologists may also work with other specialists, such as neurosurgeons or neuro-oncologists, to provide comprehensive care for their patients.
One of the key tools neurologists use is the electroencephalogram (EEG), which measures brain electrical activity and helps diagnose seizures, infections, brain injuries, and tumors. They may also order imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-rays, and ultrasounds to visualize the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These imaging techniques are crucial for detecting abnormalities, injuries, or diseases affecting the nervous system.
In terms of treatment, neurologists typically use medications and physical therapy as their primary approaches. They do not perform surgery but may refer patients requiring surgical intervention to neurosurgeons. Neurologists play a vital role in managing neurological conditions, providing ongoing care, and supporting patients throughout their treatment journey.
While neurologists focus on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, muscle-related issues are often treated by orthopedic doctors or orthopedists. Orthopedic doctors specialize in musculoskeletal injuries and conditions affecting muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. They offer both surgical and nonsurgical treatments, typically favoring more conservative, nonsurgical approaches first. Orthopedic doctors work closely with patients to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and restore function in various areas of the body, including the lower leg, knee, hip, spine, arm, and neck.
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Exercise physiologists
Exercise physiology is a branch of science that studies the body's ability to adapt and respond to physical activity. Exercise physiologists are health professionals who specialize in the benefits of exercise in ensuring fitness and good health, as well as helping to treat certain medical conditions. They are well-versed in the human body and the physical and mental advantages of exercise.
In addition to treating patients, some exercise physiologists are applied exercise physiologists, who study the physiological effects of exercise. They may research the link between exercise and illness, exploring whether physical activity can slow disease progression. This field is expected to grow as the prevalence of chronic conditions increases, creating a greater need for exercise physiologists in hospitals and other settings.
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Frequently asked questions
Your primary care provider (PCP) or family doctor should be your first port of call for muscle pain. They will take a medical history, perform tests and may prescribe pain relief.
There are several specialists who treat myalgia (the medical term for muscle pain). These include physiatrists, orthopedists, neurologists, rheumatologists, and osteopathic doctors.
Doctors of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatrists, specialize in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of people disabled by disease, disorder, or injury. Physiatrists are experts in managing chronic pain and improving quality of life through medication, physical therapy, or other therapies.
Orthopedists focus on the musculoskeletal system—bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They are great for treating muscle pain caused by injuries like strains and sprains, as well as sports injuries, arthritis, tendonitis, and chronic joint pain. Orthopedists offer both surgical and non-surgical treatments.
