They may practice in a variety of settings, such as a Pain management clinic or an integrated spine care center. Neurologists may serve as a consultant to other physicians as well as providing long-term care to patients with chronic neurological disorders. Neurologists are trained to perform a detailed examination of all the important neurological structures in the body. This includes the nerves of the head and neck, the muscular strength and movement, sensation, balance testing, ambulation and reflex testing. These tests can provide detailed anatomic pictures of the brain, spinal structures and the blood vessels.
Neurologists use many forms of medication to treat problems involving the nervous system.
They may send patients to other specialists for some forms of treatment. A neurologist may refer a patient to a surgeon for a surgical evaluation, but does not perform surgery. After four years of medical school and three years of training in either internal medicine or pediatrics, rheumatologists complete two to three years in specialized rheumatology training. Most rheumatologists who treat patients become board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Rheumatologists diagnose and treat a wide variety of chronic musculoskeletal diseases, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, musculoskeletal pain disorders, fibromyalgia, certain autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, and tendonitis.