Neck pain consult which doctor

That's because orthopedists are specifically trained to deal with problems involving the musculoskeletal system — the network of muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and bones that support your body and allow movement — problems within the musculoskeletal system often cause neck pain. Orthopedists, also referred to as orthopedic surgeons, are medical doctors with extensive training. A typical orthopedist has completed up to 14 years of formal education, including college, medical school, and five years of postgraduate work including residency at a major medical center, with the option for further specialization in a field like pediatric orthopedics, sports medicine, or a certain area of the body, such as the spine or knee.

To find an orthopedist, first ask your primary care physician for a referral. You also can go to, the Web site of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons , the professional association for orthopedists, where you will find a searchable database.

Your doctor will take a medical history and do an exam. He or she will check for tenderness, numbness and muscle weakness, as well as see how far you can move your head forward, backward and side to side. Your doctor might order imaging tests to get a better picture of the cause of your neck pain. Examples include:. It's possible to have X-ray or MRI evidence of structural problems in your neck without having symptoms.

Imaging studies are best used as an adjunct to a careful history and physical exam to determine the cause of your pain. The most common types of mild to moderate neck pain usually respond well to self-care within two or three weeks. If neck pain persists, your doctor might recommend other treatments.

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