What Doctor To See For Muscle And Joint Pain?

Which Type of Health Care Provider To See – If you’re having joint symptoms that cause concern, an appointment with a primary care practitioner is a good place to start. But sometimes arthritis is difficult to diagnose. You might need to see a specialist.

What type of doctor do you see for muscle pain?

If you’re one of the 100 million Americans in chronic pain, living a full and active life may seem out of your reach. But with the right treatment and support, it is possible. You’ve probably already visited your regular doctor, but there are also experts who specialize in treating pain who can work with your doctor and you to help you find relief.

1. Pain Medicine Specialists What do they treat? Many different types of pain, including pain that’s caused by surgery, injury, nerve damage, and conditions like diabetes,
2. They also treat pain that doesn’t have a clear cause.
3. They use medications given by mouth or targeted injections.
4. How do I find one? Go to the websites of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (www.painmed.org) and the American Board of Pain Medicine ( www.abpm.org) for directories of specialists.

Orthopedic Specialists and Surgeons What do they treat? Injuries and diseases that affect your musculoskeletal system, which includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Many specialize in certain parts of the body like the hips, knees, and shoulders.

Once they diagnose your injury or disorder, they’ll create a treatment plan that could include medicine. They might also recommend exercises (or refer you to a physical therapist) to help restore movement, strength, and function to your body and teach you how to prevent further issues. They are trained as surgeons, so if surgery is necessary, they can do it.

How do I find one? Go to either the website of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Medicine ( www.aaomed.org ) or the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ( www.aaos.org ). Osteopathic Doctors What do they treat? Although they’re similar to medical doctors (they have also gone to medical school, but have DO after their names instead of MD), osteopathic doctors get extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, muscles, and bones.

1. How do I find one? Go to the website of the American Osteopathic Association ( www.osteopathic.org ).
2. Rheumatologists What do they treat? Rheumatic diseases, including arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and tendinitis, which can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints, muscles, and bones.

Treatments may include medicines or anti-inflammatory or pain-blocking injections in your tendons or joints. How do I find one? Go to the American College of Rheumatology’s website ( www.rheumatology.org ). Physiatrists or Rehabilitation Physicians What do they treat? Injuries and conditions that affect how you move.

They diagnose and treat pain related to nerves, muscles, and bones including carpal tunnel, neck and back pain, sports and work injuries, herniated discs, arthritis, pinched nerves, and concussions without the use of surgery. These doctors also treat post-surgery pain. How do I find one? Go to the website of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ( www.aapmr.org ).

Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists What do they treat? These professionals work with people recovering from injury or surgery. Physical therapists may use massage, stretching, heat, ice, and exercise to help ease your pain and increase your mobility.

1. They often carry out the orders written by physiatrists.
2. How do I find one? Go to the websites of the American Physical Therapy Association ( apta.org ) and the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
3. Aota.org ) Acupuncturists What do they treat? Acupuncturists are trained to work with a wide range of conditions causing pain, including headaches, knee pain, low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, sprains, and osteoarthritis,

They insert very thin needles into specific points on your body, which are said to promote healing. Although needles might sound scary, most people feel little or no discomfort. How do I find one? Go to the websites of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (aaaomonline.org), the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (www.nccaom.org), or the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture ( www.medicalacupuncture.org ).

DO orthopedic doctors treat muscle pain?

Orthopedic doctors can help you determine whether you need surgery – There are some common misconceptions about orthopedic surgery that we’d like to address. For example, some people may shy away from surgery, thinking that treatment won’t help, and they should just handle the pain and dysfunction on their own.

1. Others think their pain is a normal part of aging they must simply accept, and they believe that surgery should be reserved for the obvious injuries.
2. There’s also a common misconception that surgeons will always recommend surgery – even if it’s not necessary.
3. At Beaumont, we are dedicated to providing every patient with the right treatment at the right time.

Surgery is recommended only when nonsurgical treatment measures have failed to provide relief or in circumstance when nonsurgical options are unlikely to be successful. Care is specific to each patient and our goal is always to improve our patients’ quality of life.

Who treats muscle and joint disorders?

What is the difference between a rheumatologist vs. an orthopaedist? – Orthopaedists and rheumatologists specialize in conditions affecting the joints, bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. They treat many of the same conditions, including joint pain and tendinitis,

1. But there are a few differences between these medical specialties.
2. Rheumatologists consider every organ system when looking for the cause of your symptoms.
3. An orthopaedist focuses on injuries, congenital disease and wear and tear (degenerative conditions).
4. Also, orthopaedists perform surgery, but rheumatologists do not.

While both rheumatologists and orthopaedists help diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions, rheumatologists have specialized training in musculoskeletal conditions of an inflammatory and autoimmune etiology.

Can a rheumatologist help with muscle pain?

What is it and how is it diagnosed? We all have general musculoskeletal pains from time to time that last for just a few days. But, when pain in your joints, muscles, neck, back and bones is severe and persistent for more than a few days, you should see your doctor. Rheumatic diseases are difficult to identify in their early stages and you can have everyday symptoms that actually are related to much more complex conditions. Rheumatologists are your experts in this area and are trained to evaluate all of your symptoms to diagnose and treat your condition.They know it is imperative to find the correct diagnosis as rapidly as possible to begin appropriate treatment because many of these disorders respond best to treatment in the early stages of disease. Many rheumatic diseases change or evolve, so you may have to make more than one office visit before your rheumatologist reaches a definitive diagnosis.The diagnostic process usually includes a complete medical history, physical examination and, if indicated, blood tests and x-rays. What is a Rheumatologist? Rheumatologists are internists with special skills and training in the complex diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and rheumatic illnesses and much, much more. They treat patients with pain and disorders of the joints, muscles, tendons, bones and other connective tissues.Their strong foundation in internal medicine prepares them as specialists to manage localized and generalized pain while also considering other medications or conditions. What do Rheumatologists treat? There are more than 100 types of rheumatologic diseases, including musculoskeletal pain disorders; back and neck pain, tendinitis, bursitis, nerve impingements (sciatica, cervical radiculopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome); osteoarthritis; autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthro- pathies, polymyalgia rheumatic, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, antiphospholipid syndrome, scleroderma; and vasculitis; osteoporosis and osteopenia; gout; fibromyalgia; and Lyme arthritis. How does Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates, P.C., work with you? Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates, P.C. (ARA), is the largest rheumatology practice in the Washington, D.C., area. For more than 30 years, our group has served this community and is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of our patients with pain and disorders of the joints, muscles, tendons and other connective tissue. Our practice has treatment centers in Wheaton, Rockville and Chevy Chase, Maryland, and in Northwest Washington, DC. Treating the total person, not just the disease, is the underlying philosophy at ARA.To this end, physicians consider the social and emotional impact of a disease or condition and collaborate with patients and their families as they develop treatment plans. Our practice integrates excellent medical care with comprehensive services. Each of our four offices has a full-service laboratory, x-ray facilities, DEXA, infusion center, and physical therapy department.This allows physicians to personally review and provide test results to patients in a timely manner. Certified medical assistants, physical therapists, nurses (including infusion nurses and our triage nurse team), x-ray technologists and front office staff, work with physicians to form the patient care team at ARA.Together they coordinate all diagnostic work and treatment.This gives patients the comfort of knowing there is always someone who can answer questions and provide assistance.We offer patients the opportunity to access the most recent and innovative technologies such as musculoskeletal ultrasound to assist in diagnosis and treatment and by maintaining an active clinical research program that participates in national trials to evaluate new medications for the treatment of arthritis, osteoporosis and a variety of rheumatic diseases. The complex and changeable nature of many rheumatic diseases often requires ongoing assessment and evaluation. Patients benefit from the collective expertise of ARA physicians who meet frequently to discuss patient cases, new drug treatment protocols and promising research. In addition, based on the requirements of your treatment plan, our rheumatologists coordinate your care with the other professionals comprising your healthcare team.The physicians at ARA encourage the formation of close physician/patient and family relationships as they monitor conditions and modify treatment. Our goal is to reduce pain and maximize function. At Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates, PC, we take pride in delivering exceptional care with the courtesy and respect you should expect.We know there are choices in selecting a physician or healthcare service and look forward to being your choice. Click here for a downloadable pdf.

How can you tell the difference between muscle pain and bone pain?

Bone pain and joint/ muscle pain affect similar parts of your body. This can make it hard to tell the difference between them. You might feel muscle pain or aches after a hard workout or when you have the flu, Or you might feel achiness in joints like your ankles, knees, or elbows from arthritis or just getting older.

What does it mean when every muscle in your body hurts?

Systemic muscle pain — pain throughout your whole body — is more often the result of an infection, an illness or a side effect of a medication.

What diseases affect joints and muscles?

Autoimmune disorders occur when the body’s own immune system goes haywire and starts attacking healthy tissue. Because more than 80 different types of diseases exist that are autoimmune in nature, symptoms may affect organs and tissues throughout the body.

1. For that reason, these conditions are often categorized according to the affected areas.
2. Autoimmune disorders of the muscles, joints, and nerves include polymyalgia rheumatica, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
3. Fibromyalgia is also often categorized with these disorders, though it has yet to be officially classified as an autoimmune disorder.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica Like many autoimmune disorders that affect the muscles, polymyalgia rheumatica causes symptoms of pain and stiffness, typically in the neck, shoulder, arms, or hip areas. Polymyalgia rheumatica usually occurs in people over the age of 50, and women are twice as likely as men to develop the disorder.

• Patients with this disorder may also have signs of inflammatory arthritis.
• Moreover, polymyalgia rheumatica sometimes appears at the same time as, or right before, a condition called temporal arteritis, which inflames blood vessels.
• More often than not, however, polymyalgia rheumatica occurs alone and predominately in caucasians.

Denmark and Sweden are the countries with the highest rates of polymyalgia rheumatica. Multiple Sclerosis Commonly referred to as MS, multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord. MS involves injury to the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells.

• This protective covering is called the myelin sheath, which when damaged, causes nerve impulses to slow down.
• This is why MS is considered an autoimmune condition — the body’s immune system is what attacks the myelin sheath, through inflammation.
• MS symptoms vary in severity from person to person, ranging from limb numbness to paralysis.

The disease is considered progressive, meaning it gets worse over time, but the rate of progression also is widely variable. The cause of MS remains unknown, but most research points to a virus or a genetic defect. More women than men, and more whites than blacks, have MS, and it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, about 400,000 people have MS in the United States, and more than 2.5 million people are affected worldwide. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) This form of arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis, is autoimmune in nature. When the body’s immune system attacks itself, inflammation results, which causes joint linings to thicken, leading to pain and swelling.

If RA goes untreated, the inflammation can become so severe that it causes bone damage or deformities. The joints most commonly affected are those of the:

WristsFingersKneesFeetAnkles

Joint pain and swelling are the signature symptoms of RA, but it can also affect other organs throughout the body. RA patients may also experience fatigue, general weakness, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, depression, weight loss, anemia, and cold or sweaty hands and feet.

• Advanced RA can make those with the disorder more susceptible to infections.
• In the United States, an estimated 1.3 million people have RA.
• Onset typically occurs between ages 30 and 50, but even children can get the disease — a version known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, or JRA.
• Seventy percent of RA cases are in women, but men who have RA tend to be more severely affected.

Fibromyalgia To much of the medical community, fibromyalgia remains a mystery. It has not been officially categorized as an autoimmune condition, but it is sometimes put in that category because it frequently occurs in patients with other diseases that cause musculoskeletal symptoms, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which are both autoimmune disorders.

FatigueTrouble sleepingDepressionAnxiety

Although the pain experienced by fibromyalgia patients can be excruciating, lab tests typically come back with no clear abnormalities. This has left doctors and researchers puzzled, leading to theories that fibromyalgia might be caused by sleep disturbances, or that it may be a result of decreased blood flow.

What will rheumatologist do on first visit?

3 Tips to Make The Most of Your First Rheumatology Appointment You just scheduled your first rheumatology appointment — now what? It could seem like a daunting appointment. But with a little preparation, you’ll be able to get the most out of it. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.

We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. “In my many years as a rheumatologist, I’ve seen patients with a variety of symptoms, including aches and pains,” says rheumatologist Howard R. Smith, MD. ” may be a symptom of a number of different connective tissue diseases since there are more than 100 types of arthritis.

My job is to identify which type of arthritis the patient has and to begin appropriate treatment.” Your rheumatologist will perform a thorough examination to start. Expect that your first appointment will be an hour or longer — and much of this time is spent talking about your symptoms.

1. A thorough examination helps your rheumatologist make a diagnosis so that they may begin to treat you as soon as possible,” explains Dr. Smith.
2. Especially because many rheumatologic conditions become more difficult to treat over time and respond best to treatment in the early stages.” However, it’s important to note that these diseases may change or evolve and your rheumatologist may need to see you more than once to make a definite diagnosis.

“The first visit will include a physical exam in which your rheumatologist will search for joint swelling or nodules that may indicate inflammation,” says Dr. Smith. “Lab tests, such as X-rays and blood work, may also supply pieces of the puzzle to assist your rheumatologist in arriving at your diagnosis.” To help you make the most of a first appointment, follow these three simple tips:

Should I go to a rheumatologist or an orthopedics?

Benefits of Rheumatologists and Orthopedics Working at the Same Practice | Illinois Bone & Joint Institute Although orthopedists and rheumatologists both focus on a patient’s joints, muscles and bones, rheumatologists focus more on joint disorders that can be treated medically while orthopedists specialize in surgical treatments and managing fractures.

Can a rheumatologist tell you if you have fibromyalgia?

The Role of the Rheumatologist – Fibromyalgia is not a form of arthritis (joint disease). It does not cause inflammation or damage to joints, muscles or other tissues. However, because fibromyalgia can cause chronic pain and fatigue similar to arthritis, some people may advise you to see a rheumatologist.

Can arthritis feel like muscle pain?

Muscle pain is a main symptom in some types of arthritis-related diseases, such as fibromyalgia, myositis and polymyalgia rheumatica. Your muscles may also ache if they are weakened due to lack of use or when trying to support joints with arthritis. Ligaments.

How do I know if my pain is muscular or nerve?

Conclusion – While it can be hard to tell nerve and muscle pain apart, the sensation that is felt along with a medical history and recent activity can help with diagnosis. Nerve pain is stabbing, tingling, and sharp while muscle pain is dull and steady or crampy and spasmodic.

• Treatment of both types of pain depends on the underlying cause.
• To search for the best Orthopedics Healthcare Providers in Croatia, Germany, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, the UAE, UK and the USA, please use the Mya Care search engine.
• About the Author: Dr.
• Rae Osborn has a Ph.D.

in Biology from the University of Texas at Arlington. She was a tenured Associate Professor of Biology at Northwestern State University where she taught many courses for Pre-nursing and Pre-medical students. She has written extensively on medical conditions and healthy lifestyle topics, including nutrition.

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Disclaimer: Please note that Mya Care does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided is not intended to replace the care or advice of a qualified health care professional. The views expressed are personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Mya Care.

What disease attacks your muscles?

What is myositis? – Myositis (my-o-SY-tis) is a rare type of autoimmune disease that inflames and weakens muscle fibers. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s own immune system attacks itself. In the case of myositis, the immune system attacks healthy muscle tissue, which results in inflammation, swelling, pain, and eventual weakness.

• When there is no skin involvement, it is called polymyositis,
• When there is skin involvement, it is called dermatomyositis,
• The areas of the body affected by myositis may differ from patient to patient.
• Most often, myositis involves the muscles in the upper arms and thighs, which can cause difficulty raising arms above the head and rising from a chair.

Some people may also experience symptoms in their lungs, such as difficulty breathing, while others may have difficulty swallowing. Women are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed as men, with most patients between ages of 30 and 60 when first diagnosed.

• In patients younger than 20 years old, the disease is referred to as juvenile myositis and may be treated differently.
• Over time, myositis symptoms may continue to worsen until everyday tasks, like climbing stairs or carrying groceries, become difficult.
• These symptoms develop gradually and though there is no cure, treatments are available to retain muscle strength and function.

It is important to work with your rheumatologist to delay myositis complications as long as possible. Depending on whether your lungs or esophagus are affected, you may experience some of the following symptoms or physical findings:

Breathing difficulty ranges from shortness of breath to respiratory failure. Rashes may develop over the knuckles, around the fingernails, around the nose and cheeks, and on the chest, in addition to other areas. In the presence of a typical myositis related rash, the diagnosis is referred to as dermatomyositis. Skin involvement can sometimes be quite severe. Calcinosis means that over time, calcium deposits form in your muscles, skin, and connective tissues which can be painful and lead to infections. Swallowing difficulty including weight loss and malnutrition or aspirating food or liquids into your lungs can lead to pneumonia.

Myositis frequently occurs with other conditions, which share similar symptoms or affected organs. For example, people with myositis may have other autoimmune conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. They can also experience Raynaud’s disease (this is a blanching of the fingers when exposed to the cold).

What is the best tablet to take for muscle pain?

Managing Sore Muscles and Aches and Pains You work hard all week, so when the weekend finally rolls around, you want to play just as hard. There’s nothing like a few rounds of golf, a hike in the mountains, or an intense workout at the gym to help you feel recharged. But all of that exercise can cause soreness and stiffness that shows up a day or two later.

You did something you’re not used to, like running a marathon when you normally jog just a few miles.You suddenly kicked up your exercise intensity level or increased the length of your workout.You did unusual exercises that lengthen instead of shorten your muscle, like walking downhill or extending your arm during a bicep curl.

These changes to your exercise routine can lead to tiny injuries in your muscle fibers and connective tissue. About a day later, you’ll start to feel sore. “We call that ‘delayed onset’ muscle soreness,” says Ethel Frese, PT, associate professor of physical therapy at St.

Louis University. “It peaks within about 48 hours, and then it will gradually get better.” The good news is that when you do the same activity again, your muscles will start to get used to it. “You will actually have no soreness or less soreness because now you’ve strengthened the muscle or connective tissue,” says Allan H.

Goldfarb, PhD. He’s a professor and exercise physiologist at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. When your joints feel sore and achy, that’s usually a sign of osteoarthritis. This inflammatory condition becomes more common as you get older. The cartilage that normally cushions the joints wears away, leaving the joints inflamed and painful.

• Joint pain can also be caused by overuse or injury, for example, tennis elbow or a knee injury caused by problem with a ligament or meniscus.
• Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect bones in your body.
• A meniscus is a rubbery disc that cushions your knee.
• One big question a lot of people have when they’re nursing sore muscles is whether to use heat or ice.

Experts say indirect ice – an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel – is best for immediate relief. “Heat will feel good while it’s on, but it’s not going to lessen the damage or make it go away anytime soon,” Frese says. Goldfarb suggests you ice the sore area right after the activity to cut inflammation.

Then use heat later to increase blood flow to the area. Heat also can help relieve joint pain. If you get sore muscles once in a while, you can take acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen to help ease the discomfort. Just be cautious about using NSAIDs regularly.

Long-term use can interfere with your muscle’s ability to repair itself, Goldfarb says. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about any interactions these over-the-counter drugs may have with other medications you take. Also, you may need to avoid some medications if you have ulcers, kidney disease, liver disease, or other conditions.

1. Sometimes soothing sore muscles requires more than an ice pack or over-the-counter pain reliever.
2. Muscle pain that comes on quickly and feels intense is a sign that you’ve injured yourself.
3. Call your doctor if your pain is severe or lasts for more than a few days.
4. Experts used to recommend stretching before a workout to prevent sore muscles.

But research shows that stretching ahead of time doesn’t do much to prevent soreness or injury. Frese says it’s better to get in a good warm-up before you exercise. Stretch later, when your muscles are already warm. A couple of natural substances are touted for preventing sore muscles, including antioxidants like vitamin C.

But check with your doctor before taking high doses of any vitamin. Serious exercisers might find relief from post-workout soreness by taking in some protein. A study of marines found that protein supplements helped sore muscles after intense exercise. One of the best ways to prevent sore muscles is by easing your way into your exercise routine.

“Start off with lighter exercise and gradually build up,” Frese says. If you have a medical condition or you’re unsure about your health, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. They can help you find an exercise routine that’s safe and effective for you.

When you have joint pain, you may be tempted to curl up in bed. One of the best things you can do for your joints, though, is to exercise. “Our joints need to move to get nutrition,” Frese says. Weight-bearing exercises can help strengthen the muscles that support the joint. Just watch that you don’t exercise to the point of pain.

It also can help to work with a physical therapist, who can show you how to exercise safely and how to keep good posture so that you don’t get injured or worsen joint pain. © 2010 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. SOURCES: Ethel Frese, PT, DPT, CCS, associate professor of physical therapy, St.

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Herbert, R. and de Noronha, M. Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews, 2007. : Managing Sore Muscles and Aches and Pains

When should I go to the doctor for muscle pain?

Schedule an office visit if you have: Signs of infection, such as redness and swelling, around a sore muscle. Muscle pain after you start taking or increase the dosage of a medication — (particularly statins — medications used to control cholesterol. Muscle pain that doesn’t improve with self-care.