A neuromusculoskeletal medicine specialist is a doctor who focuses on diagnosing and treating problems that affect the nerves, muscles, and bones. Neuromusculoskeletal doctors use various techniques, such as physical exams, hands-on treatments, and sometimes imaging tests, to help improve movement and relieve pain. They often treat conditions like back pain, joint problems, or muscle injuries. Their goal is to help the body heal itself by finding the root cause of the issue and addressing it.  

A neuromusculoskeletal doctor can be a type of doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), but not all DOs specialize in this area of medicine. DOs are like medical doctors (MDs) in that both can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications. However, DOs receive extra training in using hands-on techniques, known as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), to help with pain and movement. MDs, on the other hand, focus more on medications and surgeries and don’t typically practice OMT. Neuromusculoskeletal doctors use their osteopathic training to treat conditions related to muscles, bones, and nerves. 

Neuromusculoskeletal conditions are health problems that affect the body’s nerves, muscles, and bones. These conditions can cause symptoms like pain, weakness, stiffness, or limited movement. Some common examples include back pain, arthritis, muscle strains, and pinched nerves. These conditions can be caused by injury, overuse, or wear and tear as people age. Neuromusculoskeletal doctors work to identify the source of these issues and provide treatments, such as physical therapy, exercises, or hands-on techniques, to help relieve symptoms and improve how the body functions over time. 

Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases that weaken the muscles over time, making it harder for a person to move. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough of a protein that muscles need to function properly. People with muscular dystrophy may have difficulty walking, lifting objects, or even breathing as their muscles become weaker. There are several types of muscular dystrophy, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy, and the severity can vary from person to person. While there is no cure, treatments like physical therapy, medication, and surgery can help manage symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. 

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find a Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist near New York, NY
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist near Los Angeles, CA
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist near Chicago, IL
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist near Houston, TX
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist near Phoenix, AZ
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist near Philadelphia, PA
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist near Atlanta, GA
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist near Boston, MA
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist near Dallas, TX
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Arthritis
Asthma
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Major Depression
Fibromyalgia
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy
Osteoporosis
Sciatica

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialist search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/07/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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