Have you heard of a Musculoskeletal Physician?
About a decade ago, I suffered debilitating pain in my neck that resulted in recurrent migraines, nausea, and loss of range of movement. I had tried everything – doctors, physiotherapists, remedial massage, and an array of medication with little success.
The pain lasted six months, I was frustrated, seeking answers, looking for a remedy and searching for a doctor that could help me. My search for a General Practitioner, that could help me led me to a medical centre that specialised in musculoskeletal medicine. I called and booked the first available appointment, which was a couple of weeks away.
The day of the appointment finally arrived. I was anxious about the appointment as this was my last-ditch effort to find some relief from my pain. I tried not to get my hopes up. At the appointment the General Practitioner took a through history, reviewed all the x-rays and scans, and then went about a careful examination of my neck. He tested my range of movement. He then pulled, pushed, cracked, stretched, and needled my neck with anaesthetic and then tested my range of movement again. We discussed a holistic approach to pain management that incorporated – diet, exercise, meditation, work life balance, ergonomics at a seated workstation, supplements, medication etc. I was elated walking out of the doctor’s surgery as it was the first time in almost six months that I could move my neck again, and my headache had disappeared.
So, who is a Musculoskeletal Physician?
A Musculoskeletal Physician is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the bones, joints, and muscles. These doctors are general practitioners who undertake postgraduate training in musculoskeletal medicine.
Musculoskeletal medicine is a discipline that takes a whole-body approach to pain treatment. It is a medical specialty that deals with diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. Musculoskeletal medicine aims to understand the complex interactions involving the “soft tissues” and chronic pain. By applying a holistic approach to pain management, it seeks to optimize the function of these soft tissues for more effective pain management.
What do musculoskeletal physicians treat?
Conditions that are treated by musculoskeletal physicians are vast and varied. Some of the most common conditions include back pain, neck pain, sports injuries, hip issues, shoulder pain, lower limb disorders, migraines, soft tissue injuries, tennis / golfers’ elbow, temporomandibular joint disorders, chronic pain, and osteoarthritis.
Treatment Approaches:
Musculoskeletal physicians commonly utilise a range of techniques and treatments to enhance the functioning, mobility, strength, and flexibility of their patients. They approach treatment through a biopsychosocial approach. These approaches include:
- Psycho – education and counselling
- Pain management strategies
- Manual Therapy
- Acupuncture
- Trigger point treatment
- Dry needling
- Drug Therapy
- Nutritional Education
- Hands-on therapies such as mobilisations, muscle energy and targeted stretching
- Peri-neural or Cortisone Injections
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
- Prolotherapy
- Individualised exercise program
- Ergonomics and Posture Change
Your musculoskeletal doctor can work closely with your GP and other health practitioners to ensure that you receive appropriate medical care.
Where do I find a Musculoskeletal Physician?
The Australian Association of Musculoskeletal Medicine (https://aamm.org.au/) can provide you with more information on Musculoskeletal Medicine and a list of Medical Practitioner’s close to where you live.
Does Medicare cover the costs of seeing a Musculoskeletal Physician?
In Australia Medicare may cover some or all the costs of seeing a Musculoskeletal General Practitioner.
In conclusion, Musculoskeletal Physicians are an essential part of the medical community. They are responsible for diagnosing and treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Their expertise is invaluable in helping people return to their normal lives. If you are experiencing any type of musculoskeletal pain, seek out the help of a musculoskeletal physician. They may be able to help you get back to your everyday activities.
The information contained in this article should never be used as a substitute for medical advice from your general / allied health practitioner. Talk to your doctor about a referral to a Musculoskeletal Physician.
Please feel free to reach out if you need more information.
