What is a pain specialist?
A pain management specialist is a doctor that evaluates a patient’s pain issues and treats a range of pain problems. They may treat sudden pain problems such as headaches as well as chronic pain problems including back pain or neck pain.
Most patients can visit a pain clinic, get a diagnosis and treatment all within the same day. Most pain management doctors offer a combination of medicine-based treatment and exercises to minimise the pain at its source.
Are pain specialists the same as regular doctors?
Pain specialists are not the same as regular doctors.
A pain specialist typically has had additional training and education relating to diagnosing and treating the various types of pain.
A regular doctor, on the other hand, may have broad knowledge of the varying degrees of pain. However, they may not be specialised in treating specific pain issues.
Where can I see a pain specialist in Singapore?
To see a pain doctor, you will need to visit a dedicated pain clinic. Pain clinics are essentially health care facilities that specifically focus on diagnosing and managing chronic pain.
There are two types of pain management clinics in Singapore – one that zooms in on procedures to deal with specific types of pain, such as neck or back pain.
The other type of pain clinic, sometimes also referred to as an interdisciplinary clinic, adopts a holistic approach that focuses on the entire person and their lifestyle to manage chronic pain. In the latter type of pain clinic, the team may sometimes include:
- Nurses and doctors
- Psychologists
- Physical therapists
- Occupational and vocational therapists
- Nutritionists and dietitians
The team helps to look at your overall lifestyle, such as diet and exercises, to help you better manage your pain issues.
Here are the top 20 pain specialists in Singapore
Pain Specialist |
Dr Yeo Sow Nam |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://www.painspecialist.com.sg/ |
| Address | The Pain Specialist:
|
| Contact | (+65) 6887 4756 |
| Opening Hours | Monday to Friday – 9.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday – 9.00am to 1.00pm |
Pain Specialist |
Dr Thor Timothy Anuntapon Chutatape |
| Speciality |
Services: 1) non-surgical pain relief by board-certified pain specialist |
| Website | https://paindoc.sg/ |
| Address | The Pain & Perioperative Clinic @ Farrer
|
| Contact | (+65) 8860 1861
drthor@novenapain.com.sg |
| Opening Hours | Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM Sunday: CLOSED |
Pain Specialist |
Dr Choo Chee Yong |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://novenapain.com.sg/dr-choo-chee-yong/ |
| Address | Novena Pain Management Specialists, 38 Irrawaddy Road, 08-50, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore 329563 |
| Contact | +65 6694 3833
info@novenapain.com |
| Opening Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Pain Specialist |
Dr Ho Kok Yuen |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://www.thepainclinic.com.sg/ |
| Address | 820 Thomson Rd, Mt Alvernia Hospital, #07-59, Medical Centre D, Singapore 574623 |
| Contact | (65) 6254 5447 |
| Opening Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Pain Specialist |
Dr Theo Kieu |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | 20 Malacca St, #09-00 Malacca Centre, Singapore 048979 |
| Address | https://www.lightchiropractic.com/ |
| Contact | 63364063 |
| Opening Hours | Monday to Thursday: 9:00am-3:30pm , 5:00-7:00pmFriday: 9:00am-2:00pm |
Pain Specialist |
Dr Wilson Tay |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | http://www.apicaremedical.com/ |
| Address | 1 Farrer Park Station Rd, #15-05, Connexion 217562 |
| Contact | 65 6513 3383 |
| Opening Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
Pain Specialist |
Matthew Herd |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://www.myfootdr.com.sg/ |
| Address | My Foot Dr. Singapore, #07-03 Camden Medical Centre, 1 Orchard Boulevard, Singapore 248649 |
| Contact | 65 6836 8144
reception@myfootdr.com.sg |
| Opening Hours | Monday to Friday: 9AM to 5PM Saturday: 9AM–1PM Sunday: Closed |
Pain Specialist |
Thilaga Govindasamy |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | http://www.virars.com/ |
| Address | Virar’s Physiotherapy, 8 Sinaran Drive, 05-03 Novena Specialist Center, Singapore 307470 |
| Contact | 65 6256 3106
admin@virars.com |
| Opening Hours | Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Sunday: CLOSED |
Pain Specialist |
Dr Travis Fisher |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://www.genesischiropractic.sg/ |
| Address | TripleOne Somerset #08-13, 111 Somerset Rd, Singapore, 238164 |
| Contact | 9810 9909 |
| Opening Hours | By appointment only |
Pain Specialist |
John Abraham |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://rapidphysiocare.com/ |
| Address |
|
| Contact | 65 9654 0427 |
| Opening Hours | MON – FRI: 8:00am – 7:00pm SAT: 8:00am – 2:00pm SUN : Closed |
Pain Specialist |
Dr Nicholas Chua |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://specialistpain.com/ |
| Address | Mt Elizabeth Novena, #07-22 Mt Elizabeth Novena, Specialist Medical Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road (S) 329563 |
| Contact | 65 6339 1880
enquiry@specialistpain.com |
Pain Specialist |
Dr Lee Mun Kam Bernard |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://www.mountelizabeth.com.sg/doctor/anaesthesiology/lee-mun-kam-bernard |
| Address | 38 Irrawaddy Road #07-33, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore 329563 |
| Contact | 67344500 |
| Opening Hours | By appointment only |
Pain Specialist |
SG Pain Solutions |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://www.sgpainsolutions.com/ |
| Address | 116 Lavender Street, Pek Chuan Building #01-02, Singapore 338730 |
| Contact | +65 6384 7385
info@sgpainsolutions.com |
| Opening Hours |
|
Pain Specialist |
Dr Terence Tan |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://www.painrelief.com.sg/our-doctor/ |
| Address | 350 Orchard Road, #10-00 Shaw House, Medical Suites @ Orchard, Singapore 238 868 |
| Contact | 65 6732 2397 |
| Opening Hours | Contact for appointment |
Pain Specialist |
Bone Clinic |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | http://www.boneclinic.com.sg/orthopaedic-conditions/back-and-neck-pain/low-back-pain/ |
| Address | 6 Napier Road #02-09/10/12 Gleneagles Medical Centre Singapore 258499 |
| Contact | (65) 64712744
info@boneclinic.com.sg |
| Opening Hours | By appointment only |
Pain Specialist |
Dr Mathew Tung Yu Yee |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | http://sgortho.com.sg/our-orthopaedic-specialists/dr-mathew-tung-yu-yee-neurosurgeon/ |
| Address | #03-07 Gleneagles Medical Centre, 6 Napier Road, Singapore 258499 |
| Contact |
|
| Opening Hours | By appointment only |
Pain Specialist |
BJIOS Orthopedics |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://www.bjios.sg/ |
| Address | 1 Farrer Park Station Road, #13-15/16/17/18/19/20, Farrer Park Medical Centre Singapore 217562 |
| Contact |
|
| Opening Hours | Monday to Friday 8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.Lunch Hour (Closed) 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m.Saturday 8.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays |
Pain Specialist |
East Coast Podiatry |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://www.eastcoastpodiatry.sg/knee-pain/ |
| Address |
|
| Contact | Main: +(65) 6235 2132
E-mail: services@ecpc.sg |
| Opening Hours | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 9am to 6pm Wednesday, Sunday & Public Holidays Closed |
Pain Specialist |
Dr Kevin Yip |
| Speciality |
|
| Website | https://www.orthoclinic.com.sg/dr-kevin-yip/dr-kevin-yip/ |
| Address | 6 Napier Road #02-10 Gleneagles Medical Centre, Singapore 258499 |
| Contact | WhatsApp or SMS: +65 96584362 Call: +65 64712674 Email: enquiry@orthoclinic.com.sg |
| Opening Hours | Book appointment here |
Pain Specialist |
Wellness Philosophy |
| Speciality |
Services: |
| Website | https://wellnessphilosophy.sg/ |
| Address | 1 Scotts Road, Shaw Centre, #04-05/06, Singapore 228208 |
| Contact | Telephone: +65 6223 7170 |
| Opening Hours | Monday to Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Sundays and Public Holidays: CLOSED |
What are the types of chronic pains that can be treated by a pain specialist?
There are various types of pain that can be treated by a pain specialist. These typically fall into three main groups: pain due to tissue injury, pain due to a nerve injury or a nervous system disease, or a combination of tissue and nerve injury.
Here are some of the common examples under each of these pain groups.
Pain due to tissue injury
Common disorders include osteoarthritis, wear and tear of the arthritis in the large joints such as hips, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Nerves or nervous system disorders resulting in pain
This typically includes conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and neuropathy, which is nerve pain due to shingles, HIV or diabetes.
Mixed pain disorders
The most common would be back and neck pain.
What qualities to look out for in a pain specialist?
Given the plethora of pain specialists in Singapore, it may be difficult to identify which pain doctor to go with. Good communication between you and your doctor is paramount in ensuring that your pain issues are treated. Hence, it is important to find a doctor that you are comfortable with and who is also highly knowledgeable in their area of speciality. A good pain doctor is able to work with you to create a plan to address your lain issues while keeping you updated on your progress.
Here are some of the desirable qualities to look out for when shortlisting pain specialists for your pain problems:
- In-depth knowledge of the various pain disorders
- Ability to leverage various diagnosis approaches to identify the pain source
- Appropriate prescription of medicine and treatment to resolve pain issues
- Ability to recommend treatments based on patient’s requirements and belief system
- Extensive network of outside providers where patients can be referred for additional psychological support, physical therapy or additional evaluation
- Up-to-date medical equipment and technology
What can I expect during my first visit to a pain specialist?
During your first visit to a pain specialist, the doctor will ask you about your pain symptoms. He or she may also enquire about your past medical history, your medication list, and prior diagnostics, such as x-ray or MRI scans. It is good if you are able to bring along any available medical reports during your visit so as to help the doctor to better diagnose your pain source.
Thereafter, the doctor will conduct a physical examination based on your pain symptoms.
Some of the common questions that the doctor may ask are:
- Which part of your body do you feel the most pain?
- How often do you feel the pain?
- When do you usually feel the pain, during the day, night or throughout the entire day?
- What have you done to alleviate the pain? Medication or exercises?
- Do you experience any other symptoms when you feel pain? Such as dizziness or loss of bladder control.
The doctor may also ask you to rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain at all and 7 to 10 being extreme pain such that it disrupts your day to day functions.
How can I better communicate my pain levels to my pain specialist?
After the first visit to the pain specialist, you may be asked to go back for the doctor to share his or her diagnosis. During this entire time, it is helpful to keep a pain journal.
A pain journal helps you to keep track of your pain issues on a daily basis. You can use the same pain scale to record the extent of pain, as well as the time and where you feel the most pain. Concurrently, you can use pain journal to track the things you did to try and alleviate the pain, such as medication, exercises, simple stretches or massage. This helps you to understand the things that worked or did not work, in alleviating your pain.
Keeping a pain journal allows you to better communicate with your pain specialist as well. Through your journal entries, the doctor may be able to identify patterns and draw appropriate diagnosis. He or she may also be able to recommend appropriate treatment options based on what worked or did not work for you.
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