Pain is the body’s natural signal that something is wrong. Acute pain usually follows an injury, surgery or illness and tends to ease as healing takes place. Chronic pain, however, is different—it can linger for weeks, months or even years.
When pain becomes persistent, it can disrupt daily life, making it difficult to work, rest or enjoy social activities. In such cases, a pain management specialist can provide the expertise needed to manage discomfort, restore mobility and support a better quality of life.
Who Are Pain Specialists?
Pain management specialists are doctors with additional, specialised training in pain medicine. They come from a range of medical backgrounds, including anaesthesiology, neurology, rehabilitation medicine (physiatry), and, in some cases, psychiatry or orthopaedics. What defines a pain specialist is not their original specialty, but their advanced, dedicated training in the assessment and management of pain.
Many pain specialists begin their careers in anaesthesiology, where training provides a strong foundation in pain physiology, pharmacology, and interventional techniques. After completing their primary specialty training, they undertake further subspecialty fellowship training in pain medicine. Others enter the field from different specialties, contributing complementary expertise that supports a multidisciplinary approach to care.
What Is the Role of a Pain Specialist?
Pain specialists have advanced, dedicated training in the field of pain management. Their goal is to provide comprehensive pain relief, improve patients’ quality of life and help them return to normal daily activities. These specialists manage pain across different types and causes, including:
- Acute pain – Sudden pain that may follow surgery, injury or a medical procedure
- Chronic pain – Persistent pain lasting weeks, months or longer, such as back pain or neuropathic pain
- Cancer-related pain – Pain caused by cancer itself or by treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery
They also treat a wide range of specific pain conditions, including:
- Headaches
- Neck and back pain
- Slipped disc
- Knee, hip and shoulder pain
- Chronic post-surgical pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Chronic ligamentous injuries and plantar fasciitis
- Trigeminal neuralgia, migraine and Headache
Understanding the Role of a Pain Specialist
Pain specialists specialising in pain medicine provide comprehensive care to help patients manage chronic pain. Their approach involves detailed assessments, accurate diagnosis, personalised treatment plans and collaboration with other healthcare professionals for a multidisciplinary approach.
Comprehensive Assessment and Diagnosis
Pain specialists begin by conducting a thorough evaluation of your medical history, symptoms, lifestyle and previous treatments. This helps them understand the nature and potential causes of your pain.
Next, they perform a detailed physical exam and may order imaging or diagnostic tests, if necessary. This ensures an accurate understanding of the pain's source and severity, leading to a precise diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
Personalised Pain Management Plans
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, pain specialists create individualised treatment plans tailored to the patient’s specific needs. Common treatment options include:
- Trigger Point Injections: These injections are delivered directly into tight muscle areas to release tension and relieve pain.
- Nucleoplasty: This minimally invasive procedure treats back pain caused by a contained, bulging disc.
- Annuloplasty: This procedure targets chronic low-grade back pain caused by tears in the outer layer of a spinal disc.
- Sympathetic Nerve Blocks: These injections target sympathetic nerves to relieve pain conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
- Regenerative Therapy: Treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cell injections encourage natural healing and reduce pain.
- Radiofrequency Treatment: This procedure uses controlled heat to target specific nerves, providing relief for chronic back or neck pain.
Multidisciplinary Referrals
Pain specialists may also refer patients to physiotherapists, psychologists or other healthcare providers when additional therapies are needed. This ensures that pain management is comprehensive and addresses both physical and emotional well-being.
What Are the Benefits of Consulting a Pain Specialist?
Seeking care from an anaesthesiologist for pain management offers many advantages, particularly for individuals living with chronic or complex pain. Some of the benefits include:
- Specialised Knowledge: Anaesthesiologists receive advanced training in pain assessment and management, enabling them to accurately identify the underlying causes of pain that may otherwise be difficult to diagnose.
- Access to Advanced Treatment Options: Beyond standard pain relief medications, these pain specialists can offer interventional procedures and innovative therapies that provide longer-lasting relief, especially when conventional treatments have not been effective.
- Personalised Treatment Plans: They develop tailored care plans as each patient’s experience with pain is unique. These plans take into account the type, location and severity of pain, along with the patient’s overall health and lifestyle, to ensure the best possible outcomes.
When Should You See a Pain Specialist?
You should consider seeing a pain specialist if pain lasts longer than three months, keeps returning, or does not improve with standard treatments. Ongoing pain is not something you have to “push through”, especially when it starts to affect daily life. Common signs it is time to seek specialist care include:
- Difficulty sleeping comfortably
- Struggling to carry out daily activities
- Emotional distress from ongoing discomfort
- Relying on over-the-counter medication with little or no relief
Persistent pain can affect both physical function and emotional well-being. Dr Thor Timothy is highly experienced in the assessment and management of complex and chronic pain, taking a patient-centred, evidence-based approach that focuses on identifying the underlying cause rather than simply masking symptoms. Book an appointment today for early specialist care and tailored solutions to restore function, comfort, and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pain Specialists
Are pain specialist treatments covered by insurance or Medisave?
Many pain management treatments are covered by health insurance or Medisave. However, coverage can vary widely depending on your specific insurance plan and the type of procedure. It is best to check with your insurance provider or the clinic directly to confirm coverage before starting treatment.
Will pain management procedures be painful?
Pain management procedures are generally not painful. Treatments like injections or nerve blocks are performed with techniques that minimise discomfort, and specialists typically use local anaesthesia or sedation to ensure the area is well numbed before starting.
Can chronic pain be completely cured?
No, chronic pain is often a long-term condition and, in many cases, cannot be completely cured. However, with proper treatment, pain can be significantly managed, allowing patients to regain function, return to their daily activities and live more comfortably.
Is surgery the only treatment option for severe chronic pain?
No, surgery is rarely the first choice for managing severe chronic pain. Pain specialists offer a wide range of non-surgical options, such as medications, physiotherapy, nerve blocks and spinal cord stimulation. Surgery is usually considered only when these approaches do not provide sufficient relief.
