What kind of doctor should you see for back pain?

Orthopedists. Orthopedic doctors and surgeons are trained experts in the healing functions relative to the musculoskeletal system. This type of doctor is board certified and can help to treat any issues you may have with pain in the neck, spine, disc-related pain, and other common back pain complaints.

What kind of doctor treats nerve and muscle pain?

Neurologists are specialists who treat diseases of the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles. Neurological conditions include epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease.

How do you know if back pain is muscular or skeletal?

Back Pain Symptom Checker: Typically, pain originating in your spine will look a little different than pain from a muscle. You may have a more burning or electric type pain, or your pain may be constant. With spinal-issue pain, you may also have pain that “shoots” down your leg or into your glutes.

What does a pinched nerve feel like in your back?

Pinched nerve signs and symptoms include: Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve. Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward. Tingling, pins and needles sensations (paresthesia)

Does an orthopedic doctor treat back pain?

If you suffer from an aching back, sore muscles, or painful joints, you should visit an orthopedic physician. These doctors can diagnose underlying health conditions causing your pain, and develop a comprehensive treatment plan to alleviate it.

How can I get my doctor to give me pain seriously?

So here are some expertly curated tips and tricks to get your doctor to listen to you, take your pain seriously, and — gee-whiz-gosh-golly!…— maybe even help.

Say “I am in pain.” Be ignored or dismissed, because it can’t be that bad.
Say “I am in severe pain.” This time your doctor will respond!

Can an MRI show nerve damage?

An MRI may be able help identify structural lesions that may be pressing against the nerve so the problem can be corrected before permanent nerve damage occurs. Nerve damage can usually be diagnosed based on a neurological examination and can be correlated by MRI scan findings.

How do neurologists treat nerve pain?

Multimodal therapy (including medicines, physical therapy, psychological counseling and sometimes surgery) is usually required to treat neuropathic pain. Medicines commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain include anti-seizure drugs such as: Gabapentin (Neurontin®).

How do I know if my back pain is disc related?

Symptoms of disc problems

back pain.
increased back pain when repetitively bending or with prolonged sitting.
increased back pain with coughing, sneezing, laughing or straining.
pain, numbness or pins-and-needles radiating into an arm or leg if a disc has caused irritation of a nearby nerve.

Which doctor should I See for chronic pain?

An orthopedic surgeon. A rheumatologist (if your back pain is caused by arthritis or other joint problem) A physical therapist and/or occupational therapist (to help you learn to move and exercise in ways that don’t worsen the pain but may improve it) A pain management specialist.

Which doctor to see for your specific spine issue?

An orthopedic doctor is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in problems—from head to toe—of the musculoskeletal system. This includes, of course, the spine. An orthopedist might address conditions such as ruptured discs, scoliosis or other types of neck or low back pain.

What to do when walking causes lower back pain?

Lower back pain, often accompanied by leg pain, which worsens when standing or walking for long periods. This pain may be caused by a small stress fracture in the back of the spine called isthmic spondylolisthesis.

What kind of Doctor treats spinal problems?

– Primary Care Providers. This is often the first place people stop if they have back pain. – Spine Specialists. Spine specialists, as the name implies, are doctors who have a deep knowledge base on all things back and neck. – Recovery Specialists. The final group of professionals who can help you with your back injury aren’t one that you would head to first.