Chronic pain is a reality for millions of people worldwide. Whether it’s persistent back pain, joint stiffness, or nerve-related discomfort, living with ongoing pain can significantly affect daily life, work, and emotional well-being. For many, conventional treatments and over-the-counter medications offer only temporary relief. This is where a pain specialist comes in, a medical professional who focuses on diagnosing, managing, and treating pain in a comprehensive and personalised way.

In this article, we’ll explore who pain specialists are, what they do, how they approach pain treatment, and the various pain conditions they manage. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of when to see a pain specialist like Dr Bernard Lee and how they can help improve your quality of life.

 

What is a Pain Specialist? 

A pain specialist is a doctor with advanced training in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of pain. While most doctors can prescribe painkillers, Dr. Bernard Lee focuses on identifying the source of your discomfort and applying targeted chronic pain treatment strategies.

Pain specialists often come from medical backgrounds such as anesthesiology, rehabilitation medicine, or neurology, and they have extensive expertise in interventional procedures. Unlike general practitioners, their work goes beyond short-term pain relief, it’s about long-term recovery and restoring function.

 

What Do Pain Specialists Do? 

Pain specialists play a crucial role in helping patients understand and treat chronic or complex pain conditions. Dr. Bernard Lee, Senior Consultant Pain Specialist at Singapore Paincare Center and his team specialise in diagnosing and treating complex pain conditions using a proprietary diagnostic and treatment framework called Painostic® methodology.

 

Painostic® Approach

At the heart of the method is the understanding that not all pain is the same. The Painostic Methodology is Singapore Paincare’s unique formulation when performing pain assessments, diagnosing pain conditions, and reaching a pain treatment roadmap. It covers the theoretical and practical aspects of pain assessment and differentiates the mechanical and functional aspects of pain transmission. Site specific pain derives its diagnosis from local pathology as well as referred pain pathways. It gives an alternative consideration of other mechanisms of pain generators.

The treatment process is guided by the Painostic process, which identifies the most appropriate approach, prioritising minimally invasive procedures over surgery due to their effective relief and quicker recover. The treatment process is guided by three proprietary protocols:

1. Diagnostic Formulation: A multi-dimensional assessment that accounts for the individual nature of each patient’s pain experience. This step helps distinguish whether your pain is due to joint wear and tear, nerve irritation, inflammation, or musculoskeletal imbalance, a critical foundation for effective pain treatment.

2. Injection Roadmap: A structured approach to selecting pain management techniques. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, Dr. Lee creates a personalised treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and lifestyle. This plan may combine minimally invasive procedures, physical therapy, and pain medication, ensuring each element complements your recovery goals. 

3. Injection Technique: A refined method of determining needle depth and placement, ensuring optimal delivery of medication to the affected area.

Patients throughout their journey, are fully involved in decision-making and supported with clear, understanding information. At its core, Painostic is a patient-centred path focused on lasting relief and improving quality of life.

 

 

How Pain Specialists Treat Pain 

Pain treatment is rarely one-size-fits-all. At Singapore Paincare Center, the focus is on evidence-based, minimally invasive, and personalised therapies that deliver long-lasting relief. It is a multi-faceted approach, and rarely one-size-fits-all.

 

Non-Invasive Treatments 

Non-invasive methods are often the first line of chronic pain treatment. These may include: 

  • Medications: Over-the-counter or prescription medications, including pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and nerve pain medications. 
  • Physical Therapy and Exercise: Targeted exercises help improve flexibility, strengthen muscles, and reduce pain. 
  • Lifestyle Modifications: Recommendations may include ergonomic adjustments, diet changes, and stress management techniques. 
  • Psychological Support: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or counseling can help patients cope with chronic pain and improve mental well-being. 

Minimally Invasive Interventions 

For patients whose pain persists despite non-invasive treatments, pain specialists may recommend minimally invasive procedures, such as: 

  • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This procedure uses heat to disrupt nerve signals and reduce pain. 
  • Spinal Cord Stimulators: Electrical impulses are delivered to the spinal cord to modify pain perception. 

 

Advanced and Multidisciplinary Approaches 

In complex cases, pain specialists may combine multiple therapies into a comprehensive plan. This could involve collaboration with orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, physiotherapists, or psychologists to ensure that all aspects of the patient’s pain are addressed. Such an integrated approach is often more effective for long-term chronic pain treatment. 

 

Types of Pain Conditions Pain Specialists Manage 

Pain specialists are trained to handle a wide range of pain conditions, from common musculoskeletal issues to complex chronic disorders. Some of the most common include: 

Pain Conditions Dr. Bernard Lee Treats 

Dr. Bernard Lee specialises in diagnosing and treating a wide range of chronic and degenerative pain conditions through minimally invasive, evidence-based procedures. His expertise covers pain arising from the spine, joints, nerves, and muscles, as well as complex pain syndromes.

  • Joint Pain: Shoulder, knee, and hip pain caused by osteoarthritis, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, or bursitis 
  • Nerve-Related Pain: Sciatica, post-herpetic neuralgia (shingles pain), and neuropathic pain 
  • Musculoskeletal Pain: Muscle strain, myofascial pain syndrome, and fibromyalgia 
  • Post-Surgical or Post-Traumatic Pain: Persistent pain after surgery or injury 
  • Chronic Pain Conditions: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and other long-standing pain disorders 

Dr. Lee adopts a holistic and patient-centred approach, combining interventional pain procedures, regenerative therapies, rehabilitation, and lifestyle modification to achieve long-term pain relief and improved function. 

 

When to See a Pain Specialist 

Many people assume that seeing a pain specialist is a last resort, only after medications, physiotherapy, or other treatments fail. In reality, early consultation can make a significant difference. Chronic pain can worsen over time, and untreated issues may lead to reduced mobility, compensatory injuries, or nerve sensitization.  

You should consider seeing a pain specialist, such as Dr. Bernard Lee at Singapore Paincare, if you experience:  

  • Pain lasting more than a few weeks 
  • Limited movement or difficulty performing daily tasks 
  • Back, neck, shoulder, knee, or nerve pain that hasn’t improved with conventional care 
  • Pain affecting sleep, work, or mental well-being 

By seeking medical attention early, a pain specialist can identify the root cause, personalise treatment, and help prevent chronic complications, rather than only managing symptoms once pain becomes severe. 

 

Conclusion 

Living with chronic pain can be challenging, but a pain specialist can make a significant difference. They offer expert diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing support for a variety of pain conditions. From non-invasive therapies to advanced interventions, pain specialists like Dr. Bernard Lee can help identify the root cause of your pain and deliver effective, minimally invasive solutions through the innovative Painostic® approach.

If you or a loved one is struggling with persistent pain, consulting a pain specialist is a proactive step toward effective chronic pain treatment. With the right guidance and care, treating pain becomes possible, and allowing one to return to a more active, fulfilling life.