At Specialist Pain International, patients can expect:

Consultation with Dr Nicholas Chua
Focused on careful diagnosis and tailored pain management.

Tailored Treatment Approach
Combining medication, image-guided procedures, and coordinated rehab care.

Administrative Support
Step by step guide for insurance-related matters where applicable.

Collaborative Care Continuity
Continuity of care through collaboration with allied healthcare professionals.

A consultation with Dr Nicholas Chua, focusing on careful diagnosis and tailored pain management

A treatment approach that may include medications, image-guided procedures, or coordinated care with physiotherapy or rehabilitation providers

Administrative support for insurance-related matters, where applicable

Continuity of care through collaboration with allied healthcare professionals

Extensive Training in Pain Medicine Across Asia, Europe, and the US

Dr Nicholas Chua graduated from the National University of Singapore and earned his Master of Medicine (Anaesthesiology) before completing advanced specialist training at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he also led the Acute Pain Service.

He holds the Fellowship of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) from the World Institute of Pain (USA), and a PhD from Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, with research focused on chronic neck pain and cervicogenic headaches. He is also trained in Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) for pain diagnostics in Germany and is a certified Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management.

Leadership, Research, and Education in Pain Medicine

Dr Nicholas Chua is the immediate-past President of the Pain Association of Singapore and serves on various national and international boards. He was previously the Director of Education (Asia) for the World Institute of Pain and sat on their global examination board for 8 years. His academic contributions include roles as associate editor and reviewer for journals such as The Lancet, Neurosurgery, and Pain Practice, among others.

His work reflects a longstanding commitment to advancing pain medicine through research, education, and clinical collaboration.

Our Approach to Pain Management

At Specialist Pain International (SPI), each patient undergoes a structured evaluation process to determine an appropriate course of management. This includes:

Detailed clinical assessment
A comprehensive review of symptoms, medical history, and physical examination.

Diagnostic investigations (where necessary)
May include imaging (e.g. MRI, ultrasound) or diagnostic nerve blocks to identify pain sources.

Individualised management planning
Based on clinical findings, treatment options are discussed and tailored to the patient’s needs.

Possible treatment options may include:

Injections for Neck, Back, Joint and Muscle Pains
Epiduroscopy/Spinal Endoscopy
Pulsed Radiofrequency Interventions
Anaesthesia Treatments for Nerve Pain
Treatments for Sympathetic Nerve Pain

Where appropriate, the clinic works in coordination with allied health professionals such as physiotherapists and psychologists to support a multidisciplinary care approach.

The aim is to help patients manage pain effectively and maintain function in daily life.

Are you constantly having back pain?

Watch Dr Nicholas Chua share expert insights on the causes, treatment options, and long-term strategies for managing persistent back pain.

Helping You Regain Comfort and Control

Pain can affect daily life, work, and relationships — and may lead to emotional distress. Specialist Pain International (SPI) treats a range of conditions, from acute pain (post-injury or surgery) to chronic pain (spine, nerve, musculoskeletal, headache) and cancer-related pain.

SPI adopts a multidisciplinary approach, developing individualised treatment plans based on clinical assessment and diagnosis. Available treatment options include:

Physical therapy
Medication management
Minimally invasive procedures as alternatives to open surgery
Day procedures with same-day discharge
In-patient referrals for more complex cases

SPI also offers:

Detailed diagnostic assessments
Use of electronic medical records
Support for most insurance plans
Accessibility accommodations
Streamlined referral process for GPs and specialists

Each patient receives a structured care plan that addresses both immediate and longer-term management needs.