Jun 01 2008
Where to Start for a Diagnosis - Part 2
Wondering what medical specialist is right for your specific chronic pain condition? There are several choices, and one is right for you. Here is a continuation of the yesterday post with five other specialists:
Neurologist
These doctors have specialized in the fields of brain, spinal cord, and nervous system diseases, and are good for chronic pain issues such as headaches and nerve pain. It is here that diagnostic procedures such as X-rays and MRIs are ordered and read. They are able to interpret these to see what course of treatment is best for you.
Obstetrician and gynecologist (OBGYN)
These are doctors who specialize in the care of women. They can do a variety of conditions, such as pregnancy and reproductive issues. This is a great start to your chronic pain wellbeing if you have pelvic pain and are a woman.
Psychiatrist or psychologist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors that specialize in the care and treatment of mental health issues. Many chronic pain sufferers are prone to developing depression, and psychiatrists are able to write prescriptions to treat these mental conditions.
Psychologists are health professionals that specialize in the care and treatment of mental health issues; however they aren’t medical doctors and use therapy and counseling to benefit the patient.
Orthopedic surgeon
These medical surgeons are ones that treat bone, muscle, and joint injuries via surgical solutions. This is where some chronic pain sufferers go to undergo surgical treatments for their pain. They can also do corrective surgery like joint and hip replacement.
Rheumatologist
These medical doctors are those that specialize in joint conditions such as arthritis and lupus. They are able to write prescriptions for medications that you may need in the course of your treatment. It is the specialist for all chronic joint pain sufferers.
I’ve noticed there are so many doctors out there. You have one for just about everything.
I think this would be good information to pass along to my friend. I know he suffers from chronic head pain and has had to miss several important days because of it.
“they aren?t medical doctors”…. Well said, Yet I wonder how many people they have been able to help get the right help after determining that it is not a mental health issue that is at the root of the cause.
Chato B. Stewart
Mental Health Advocate - Cartoonist - and a few other things!
http://www.mentalhealthhumor.today.com
?Using Humor to Heal and Educate with badly drawn cartoons.?
If you’re really lucky you can get to meet most of these in succession and still not get an accurate diagnosis. I kinda think it’s some kind health-related pyramid system for getting clients!