Many people are unclear about what kinds of conditions actually fall within a pain specialist's scope. The answer is broader than most expect. Here is a practical overview of the seven conditions most frequently seen at pain specialist clinics in Singapore, along with what treatment typically looks like for each.
1. Lower Back PainLower back pain is one of the most prevalent chronic pain conditions in Singapore, and globally. It ranges from non-specific mechanical back pain to clearly defined conditions like lumbar disc herniation, spondylosis, and spinal stenosis.
A pain specialist's role in back pain depends on the underlying cause. For disc-related pain, options include epidural steroid injections, nucleoplasty, or radiofrequency ablation of affected nerve branches. For facet joint pain - a common but often undiagnosed contributor to lower back pain - medial branch blocks followed by RFA can provide extended relief.