Body pain after ordinary life, like a long week at a desk, a new workout, or a weekend of pickleball, is often a job for a physical therapist. Go to the ER for the warning signs below. If none of them fit, a licensed doctor of physical therapy is a sensible first step, including Mojo Chat for $65. Physical therapy is also a specialty for musculoskeletal (MSK) pain, and doctors of physical therapy are first-line MSK providers, so you can feel comfortable skipping primary care and starting here when none of the warning signs apply.
Mojo Chat is the virtual physical therapy platform brought to you by Mojo Health
When is body pain an emergency?
Call 911 or go to the ER. Do not start with a clinic or Mojo Chat if you have any of these:
These are serious signs and symptoms. If you are unsure, treat it as urgent.
When is an orthopedist the right person?
An orthopedist is the surgeon and bone-and-joint specialist. That visit fits after a fracture, a dislocation, a tendon or ligament that may be torn, or when your doctor has already determined that you need surgery. It is usually not the first stop for a stiff shoulder, a cranky knee, or a back that aches after sitting. Many of those get better with a physical therapy plan, and you can still see an orthopedist later if you are not improving.
When is a neurologist the right person?
A neurologist focuses on the nerves and the brain. Ask your doctor about that referral if weakness, numbness, or balance problems stick around after the emergency causes are ruled out, or if symptoms show up in a way that does not match one joint or one muscle. Ordinary finger tingling from desk work, or a foot that falls asleep, is often a physical therapy problem first.
When is a rheumatologist the right person?
A rheumatologist looks for joint disease that is not a simple strain. Clues are pain and swelling in several joints, morning stiffness that lasts a long time, or pain with fever, rash, or a deep fatigue you cannot explain. Your doctor makes that referral. A single knee that hurts after a hike is a different story.
What about a chiropractor?
A chiropractor uses spinal adjustment or manipulation. Some people choose that for an ordinary backache. It is the wrong first stop when any warning sign above is present, and it is not a substitute for the ER or for a doctor when the cause is unknown. For pain tied to how you move, sit, train, or work, a doctor of physical therapy treats with manual therapies and builds an exercise plan you can do yourself to stabilize and strengthen the area or body parts of concern. That is the lane Mojo Chat is in.
When is Mojo Chat the right first step?
Start here when the pain came on with sudden new use, overuse, sustained posture, a sport, or a gradual ache, and none of the warning signs apply. You want a plan, not a guess. Care is delivered by our team of licensed doctors of physical therapy across all 50 states plus D.C. Mojo Chat is $65. You answer the same kind of questions a therapist asks in person, and you can record a short video of how you move.
Common questions
Should I get an MRI before I do anything?
Not for a typical ache with no warning signs. A lot of scans show changes that are not the thing hurting you. If a warning sign is present, go to the ER. Otherwise a physical therapist can start you on a plan and tell you if a doctor visit comes next.
Can I go to physical therapy and a specialist?
Yes. A specialist is the right add-on when a doctor finds a tear, a nerve problem, or joint disease. For everyday pain with no warning signs, starting with a physical therapist is reasonable, and you can add a specialist if you are not getting better.
Is chest pressure with arm pain a shoulder problem?
Do not treat it as a shoulder problem. Acute chest pressure with shortness of breath, reflux, or sweating, along with arm or shoulder blade pain, needs 911.
What if my back pain comes with bathroom changes?
New bladder or bowel trouble, difficulty starting urination, or numbness in the groin or saddle area is an ER visit. Do not wait for a therapy appointment.
Is Mojo Chat a doctor visit?
No. It is virtual physical therapy. Care is delivered by our team of licensed doctors of physical therapy across all 50 states plus D.C. It does not replace the ER when a warning sign is present.
You're in Good Hands
At Mojo Health, we help you sort everyday body pain from the pain that needs emergency care today. With our online physical therapy platform, Mojo Chat, you can start recovery from home anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mojo Chat begins with simple questions about where you hurt, how it started, and whether any warning signs are present, the same questions our physical therapists ask during an in-person visit. Then, you can record a short video to demonstrate exactly how the pain shows up when you move, describe how the pain started, and share any questions or concerns you have.
Our licensed Physical Therapists review everything and provide a clear diagnosis, along with a tailored 14-day treatment plan you can start right away. Mojo Chat guides you step-by-step every day, lets you ask questions of your therapist by text or video, and adjusts your plan as you heal. Our therapists and care team track your progress to make sure you're improving exactly as expected. And here's the best part... 86% of users who follow the full 14-day treatment plan report significant to full recovery. For those who need extra support, Mojo Chat seamlessly connects them to top in-person physical therapy clinics nearby.
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