Back Pain Specialist in Singapore

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Non-surgical Back Pain Treatment

Dr. Bernard Lee Mun Kam (李文鉴医生)

Consultant Pain Specialist, Singapore Paincare Center

Dr Bernard Lee is the founder of Singapore Paincare and a Consultant Pain Specialist at Singapore Paincare Center. With over 20 years of clinical practice, he developed the Painostic®️ approach to guide evidence-based, minimally invasive procedures. Alongside his patient care, he trains the next generation of doctors in interventional techniques for chronic pain and orthopaedic conditions.

Singapore Paincare Centers Located at Paragon Medical Centre and Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre

Pain Specialist Singapore

Back Pain Specialist in Singapore

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Non-surgical Back Pain Treatment

Dr. Bernard Lee Mun Kam
(李文鉴医生)

Consultant Pain Specialist, Singapore Paincare Center

Dr Bernard Lee is the founder of Singapore Paincare and a Consultant Pain Specialist at Singapore Paincare Center. With over 20 years of clinical practice, he developed the Painostic®️ approach to guide evidence-based, minimally invasive procedures. Alongside his patient care, he trains the next generation of doctors in interventional techniques for chronic pain and orthopaedic conditions.

Featured in Singapore Media on Back Pain

Dr Bernard Lee has contributed to public education on back pain, slipped discs and sciatica through Singapore newspapers and television programmes.

The Straits Times
Slipped disc assessment and treatment options without open surgery.

Read Dr Bernard Lee’s Straits Times feature →

Mediacorp Silver Carnival

Mediacorp, Silver Carnival
Understanding sciatica, pain that travels into the leg and possible nerve compression.

Watch and read Dr Bernard Lee’s discussion on sciatica →

联合晚报

Lianhe Wan Bao
Chronic back pain associated with slipped discs and nerve-related symptoms.

Read the chronic back pain and slipped disc feature →

When Should You See a Back Pain Specialist?

Many episodes of acute lower back pain improve within a few weeks with self-management and primary care. Specialist assessment may be considered when:

  • Back pain persists despite an appropriate period of initial treatment
  • Pain repeatedly returns or limits work, walking, sleep or daily activities
  • Pain travels from the back into the buttock, thigh, leg or foot
  • Numbness, tingling or weakness persists
  • Previous medication or physiotherapy has provided limited benefit
  • Scan findings do not clearly explain the severity or pattern of symptoms
  • More than one structure or pain mechanism may be involved

Back Pain Symptoms That Require Urgent Medical Attention

Seek urgent medical attention for new bladder or bowel problems, numbness around the groin, rapidly worsening leg weakness, fever or chills, significant trauma, unexplained weight loss, known cancer or severe unremitting night pain. These symptoms may require urgent hospital assessment rather than a routine appointment.

Speak to Our Back Pain Specialist

If your back pain persists, keeps returning, travels into your leg, or affects your mobility, sleep or daily activities, consider seeking a specialist assessment. Our pain specialists can evaluate the possible source of your back pain and discuss suitable treatment options, including minimally invasive procedures where clinically appropriate.

Our Pain Specialist

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Dr. Bernard Lee Mun Kam (李文鉴医生)

Consultant Pain Specialist

shoulder pain specialist singapore

More than 20 years of experiences in treating chronic and complex pain conditions

  • MBBS Singapore
  • Masters of Medicine (Anaesthesiology), Singapore
  • Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetist
  • Member of the International Association for the Study of Pain
  • Member of Pain Association of Singapore

Dr. Bernard Lee Mun Kam is the founder of Singapore Paincare and a Consultant Pain Specialist at Singapore Paincare Center. He has more than two decades of clinical experience in pain medicine and holds qualifications in anaesthesiology and interventional pain management, including a Masters of Medicine (Anaesthesiology) and Fellowship with the Faculty of Pain Medicine (Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists). He has been a pioneer in developing pain services in Singapore and previously led major hospital pain units, including Tan Tock Seng Hospital and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Recognised as one of Singapore’s early adopters of interventional pain techniques, Dr. Bernard introduced knifeless treatment methods that use specialised laser and balloon-based procedures for conditions such as slipped discs, nerve compression, arthritis and frozen shoulder. His multi-disciplinary training, including medical acupuncture, supports a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to treating pain without open surgery.

Dr. Bernard has a long-standing commitment to medical education. He has trained and mentored many doctors in Singapore and the region in interventional pain procedures and chronic pain management. Through the Singapore Paincare Academy, he continues to provide structured training for general practitioners, allied health professionals and TCM practitioners, ensuring consistent standards in pain assessment and treatment based on the Painostic® methodology.

Dr. Bernard is frequently invited to television and radio programmes to share his insights on pain conditions, treatment approaches and public education topics. His media contributions reflect his ongoing commitment to raising awareness of pain management and empowering the public with reliable medical information.

Read more about Dr. Bernard Lee

Why Choose Dr. Bernard Lee

Common Back Conditions Treated by a Back Pain Specialist

A back pain specialist may assess symptoms associated with:

Back pain may occasionally be related to infection, cancer, inflammatory disease or a problem outside the spine. Further investigation or referral may be required when the history or examination raises concern.

Clinical Cases Assessed by Dr Bernard Lee

The following educational case studies show how symptoms, examination findings and imaging may be considered together when assessing complex back and nerve-related pain. They do not predict how another patient will respond to treatment.

Lumbar Disc Degeneration Facet Joint Inflammation and Leg Weakness

 

This case study examines a patient who developed sudden leg numbness and weakness associated with lumbar disc degeneration and facet joint inflammation. It illustrates how the symptom pattern, neurological findings and imaging were reviewed as part of the assessment.

Read the lumbar disc and leg weakness case study →

L5 S1 Disc Herniation with Nerve Root Adhesion

 

This case study covers the assessment and minimally invasive treatment of an L5-S1 disc herniation with nerve root involvement after symptoms had not improved adequately with earlier care.

Read the L5-S1 disc herniation case study →

These cases are provided for general educational purposes. Individual symptoms, treatment suitability and outcomes vary. A clinical assessment is required before any treatment is recommended.

Not sure what’s causing your back pain?

With our Painostic® approach, our pain specialists go beyond surface symptoms to identify the real source of your back pain. Through a detailed clinical assessment and targeted diagnostics, we develop a personalised treatment plan focused on relieving pain, restoring movement, and preventing recurrence.

 

Your Journey at Singapore Paincare Center

Step 1: Comprehensive Pain Assessment 

Your care begins with a detailed back pain assessment using our Painostic® approach. Our specialist will review your medical history, understand how your back pain started, and assess your symptoms, posture, spinal movement, and pain patterns. We also check for signs that the pain may be coming from the muscles, joints, discs, nerves, or surrounding soft tissues. If needed, imaging may be reviewed or arranged to support diagnosis and guide treatment.

Step 2: Personalised Treatment Plan

After your back pain assessment is completed, you will receive a treatment plan tailored to your condition, symptoms, and daily functional needs. We will explain the likely cause of your back pain, whether it is related to muscle strain, slipped discs, facet joint irritation, degenerative changes, or nerve compression, together with the treatment options available and what to expect during recovery.

Step 3: Treatment Delivery

  • Minimally Invasive Procedures – Targeted treatments may be recommended for suitable back pain conditions, including cases involving lumbar joint pain, disc-related pain, nerve irritation, or persistent muscular pain. These are typically performed as outpatient or day-surgery procedures where appropriate.
  • Rehabilitation Support – Physiotherapy guidance, posture correction, stretching, and strengthening exercises may be incorporated to improve spinal mobility, restore function, and reduce recurrence.
  • Integrated Care – Additional supportive options may be considered when appropriate to complement recovery and improve overall symptom control.

Step 4: Follow up Care

Your progress will be reviewed regularly to monitor pain relief, movement, and functional improvement. Treatment may be adjusted based on your response, with the aim of achieving sustained recovery, better mobility, and long-term relief from back pain.

What Lower Back Pain Treatments Are Available at Singapore Paincare?

Singapore Paincare offers a range of targeted treatments for lower back pain, focusing on both muscle related and spine related causes. The treatment options include Myospan and Neurospan.

Myospan

Myospan injections target muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, and nerves to break the pain cycle, reduce inflammation, and improve healing. Depending on the painful condition, different injections may be utilised to either remove the pain generator or stop the pain signals. Myospan treatments include:

Neurospan

Neurospan treatments target spinal causes of lower back related pain such as slipped cervical discs, bone spurs, and nerve compressions. These procedures help decompress affected nerves, release scarred tissues, and reduce nerve sensitivity by addressing the underlying spinal source rather than the lower back muscle itself. Depending on the condition, different Neurospan options may be used to free impinged nerves or reduce pain transmission. Neurospan treatments for lower back pain include:

A Message About Back Pain From Our Pain Specialist

Lower back pain is one of the most common conditions we see, often arising from strain, repetitive loading, or prolonged poor posture. While it may begin as a mild ache, delaying proper care can lead to persistent stiffness, nerve irritation, or worsening discomfort that affects daily movement.

Many people believe that low back pain is always caused by bone degeneration or slipped discs. In reality, even small issues such as muscle tension, joint inflammation, or imbalance in supporting structures can trigger ongoing symptoms.

At Singapore Paincare, we conduct a thorough assessment to identify the root source of your lower back pain and design a personalised, minimally invasive treatment plan tailored to your condition. We aim to relieve discomfort, and help you return to your daily activities with confidence.

Our Insurance Panel

*Coverage applies to specific doctors. Please contact the clinic for details.

Insurance

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*Coverage applies to specific doctors. Please contact the clinic for details.

FAQs on Lower Back Pain in Singapore

For mild or recent back pain, you may begin with a general practitioner. A back pain specialist assessment may be considered when the pain is persistent, recurrent, severe, travels into the leg, causes numbness or weakness, or has not improved with initial treatment. Depending on the suspected cause, care may involve a pain specialist, orthopaedic specialist, neurosurgeon, rheumatologist or physiotherapist.

A back pain specialist assesses the symptoms, physical findings and relevant investigations to identify likely pain contributors. The specialist may recommend rehabilitation, medication, further investigation, selected procedures or referral to another specialist.

A back pain specialist evaluates and treats conditions affecting the spine and surrounding structures, including muscle strain, slipped discs, sciatica, facet joint pain, degenerative spine changes, nerve irritation, and posture-related back pain. The goal is to identify the true pain source and provide targeted treatment.

No. A pain medicine specialist focuses on the assessment and management of pain, including non-surgical and selected interventional options. A spine surgeon assesses spinal conditions that may require surgery. Their roles may overlap, and referral between specialists may be appropriate.

A pain specialist focuses on diagnosing the source of pain and treating it with non-surgical or minimally invasive methods such as targeted injections and pain procedures. An orthopaedic surgeon focuses more on structural spinal problems that may require surgical management. For many patients with persistent back pain in Singapore, a pain specialist is an appropriate first step when the goal is to relieve pain, improve function, and avoid surgery where possible.

No referral is needed. You can book directly with Singapore Paincare for a consultation.

An MRI is not required before booking. If you have existing imaging, bring it for review as part of the assessment. If imaging is needed and you do not have it, the specialist can arrange the appropriate investigation. Many structural back pain diagnoses are confirmed through clinical examination and targeted diagnostic nerve blocks, with imaging providing supportive rather than definitive information.

Back pain may require surgical assessment when there is progressive weakness, significant nerve or spinal cord compression, spinal instability, fracture, deformity or another structural condition that may benefit from surgery. Surgery is not required for every slipped disc or episode of persistent back pain.

Last Updated 16 Sept 2026

PARAGON MEDICAL CENTRE
Singapore Paincare Center @ Paragon
290 Orchard Road #18-03,
Singapore 238859

Clinic hours
Mon–Fri: 9am–1pm, 2pm–6pm
Sat: 9am–1pm
Sun & PH: Closed

Doctors on duty
Dr. Bernard Lee: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Dr. Yoong Chee Seng: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Dr. Chiam Tut Fu: Monday to Saturday

MOUNT ELIZABETH NOVENA SPECIALIST CENTRE
Singapore Paincare Center @ Novena
38 Irrawaddy Road #07-33,
Singapore 329563

Clinic hours
Mon–Fri: 9am–1pm, 2pm–6pm
Sat: 9am–1pm
Sun & PH: Closed

Doctors on duty
Dr. Bernard Lee: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Dr. Yoong Chee Seng: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday