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Medically reviewed by Dr Diana Chan Xin Hui, Anaesthesiologist & Pain Specialist (MBBS, MMED (Anaesthesia), MCI, FAMS, GDA, EDRA, FIPP).  Last Updated: July 14, 2026

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Neck Pain Treatment Singapore

Neck pain can make it difficult to work, drive, sleep, or even turn your head comfortably. If your symptoms continue despite medication or physiotherapy, surgery may not be your only option. At Advanced Pain Specialists, Dr Diana Chan provides personalised, minimally invasive treatments to relieve pain, restore movement, and help you return to everyday life.
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Our Doctor

Dr Diana Chan: Neck Pain Specialist in Singapore

Dr Diana Chan brings over 20 years of clinical experience and a deeply personal approach to pain care. As the former Head of Department of Pain Medicine at Singapore General Hospital and founder of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Pain Centre, she has extensive experience managing complex pain conditions using advanced interventional and multidisciplinary pain management techniques. She has undertaken advanced training in pain medicine overseas, contributed to research through publications in peer-reviewed medical journals, and remains committed to evidence-based care. A mother of two, she understands the impact pain can have on everyday life and is dedicated to helping patients regain comfort, function, and a better quality of life.

  • Over 20 years in pain medicine
  • Performed over 2000+ basic and advanced pain procedures
  • Expertise in minimally invasive, comprehensive and holistic pain management and interventions in Singapore
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Why Does Neck Pain Happen?

Neck pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It develops when muscles, joints, discs, ligaments, or nerves within the cervical spine become irritated, inflamed, or injured.

While some people experience temporary stiffness that improves with rest, others develop persistent pain caused by underlying spinal conditions. Identifying the source of your neck pain is important, as different causes require different treatments.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain can develop for many reasons, ranging from muscle strain to age-related changes in the spine. Understanding the underlying cause helps determine the most appropriate treatment.

Muscle Strain & Poor Posture

Long hours at a desk, frequent use of mobile devices, poor posture, or sleeping in an awkward position can strain the muscles and ligaments supporting the neck. This is one of the most common causes of neck pain.

Cervical Disc Herniation

A disc in the neck can bulge or rupture, placing pressure on nearby nerves. This may cause neck pain together with pain, numbness, or tingling that travels into the shoulder or arm.

Cervical Spondylosis (Wear & Tear)

As we age, the joints and discs in the cervical spine naturally wear down. These changes can lead to stiffness, reduced movement, and ongoing neck pain.

Facet Joint Arthritis

The small joints connecting the bones of the neck can become inflamed or arthritic over time, causing pain that is often worse when turning or extending the head.

Whiplash & Neck Injuries

Sudden movements during car accidents, sports injuries, or falls can overstretch the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the neck, leading to pain and reduced mobility.

Pinched Nerve (Cervical Radiculopathy)

When a nerve in the neck becomes compressed, pain may radiate into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Some patients also experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected arm.

What Does Neck Pain Feel Like?

Neck pain affects everyone differently depending on the underlying cause. Symptoms may develop suddenly after an injury or gradually over time, ranging from mild stiffness to persistent pain that affects everyday activities.

The neck may feel tight or difficult to move, especially after sleeping, prolonged sitting, or remaining in one position for too long.

Simple movements such as checking your blind spot while driving or looking over your shoulder may become painful or restricted.

Pain may extend from the neck into one or both shoulders or the upper back, particularly when muscles or joints in the neck are irritated.

If a nerve in the neck is compressed, pain may travel down the arm into the hand or fingers. Some patients also experience tingling, numbness, or weakness.

Neck problems can trigger headaches that begin at the base of the skull and spread towards the temples or forehead. These are commonly known as cervicogenic headaches.

The muscles surrounding the neck and shoulders may tighten involuntarily, causing painful spasms and limiting normal movement.

How Is Neck Pain Diagnosed?

Because neck pain can have many different causes, the first step is identifying what’s causing your symptoms. An accurate diagnosis allows Dr Diana Chan to recommend the most effective treatment while avoiding unnecessary procedures or surgery.

Dr Diana Chan will ask about when your pain started, where you feel it, what makes it worse or better, and whether you have symptoms such as headaches, arm pain, numbness, or weakness.

Your neck movement, muscle strength, reflexes, posture, and nerve function will be assessed to identify signs of muscle, joint, disc, or nerve-related problems.

If required, investigations such as X-rays or an MRI scan may be recommended to assess the cervical spine, discs, joints, or nerves and confirm the underlying cause of your pain.

Can Neck Pain Go Away Without Surgery?

Yes. Many cases of neck pain improve with simple measures such as activity modification, medications, physiotherapy, and posture correction. However, if pain persists or keeps returning, it may indicate an underlying condition that requires further assessment.

At Advanced Pain Specialists, Dr Diana Chan focuses on minimally invasive treatments that relieve pain and improve function, helping many patients avoid surgery where appropriate.

Non-Surgical Neck Pain Treatments

If neck pain continues despite medication or physiotherapy, minimally invasive treatments may help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve movement. Every treatment is personalised based on the underlying cause of your neck pain, your symptoms, and your treatment goals.

Trigger Point Injections

How it works

Targeted injections are used to release tight muscle knots (trigger points) that cause neck pain, shoulder pain, and muscle spasms.

Benefits

  • Relieves muscle tension and spasms
  • Improves neck movement
  • Quick, minimally invasive treatment
  • Can reduce tension-related headaches

Facet Joint Injections

How it works

Anti-inflammatory medication is injected into the small joints of the cervical spine to reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by arthritis or joint irritation.

Benefits

  • Reduces joint inflammation
  • Improves neck mobility
  • Helps diagnose facet joint pain
  • Minimally invasive

Epidural Steroid Injection

How it works

An epidural steroid injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication around an irritated nerve in the cervical spine. It is commonly used for cervical radiculopathy, where pain travels into the shoulder or arm.

Benefits

  • Reduces nerve inflammation
  • Relieves arm pain and numbness
  • May improve daily function
  • Image-guided for precision

Nerve Root Block

How it works

A targeted injection is placed around the affected nerve root to reduce inflammation and temporarily interrupt pain signals. It can also help confirm which nerve is causing your symptoms.

Benefits

  • Targets the affected nerve
  • Helps diagnose nerve pain
  • Reduces inflammation
  • May delay or avoid surgery

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

How it works

Radiofrequency ablation uses controlled heat to interrupt pain signals from nerves supplying the facet joints. It is commonly recommended for chronic neck pain that has not responded to conservative treatment.

Benefits

  • Long-lasting pain relief
  • Minimally invasive
  • No surgical incision
  • May reduce the need for ongoing pain medication

Botox Injections

How it works

Botox (botulinum toxin) injections help relax overactive or persistently tight neck muscles that may contribute to chronic neck pain, muscle spasms, or restricted movement. By reducing excessive muscle contraction, Botox can help relieve pain and improve comfort in selected patients.

Benefits

  • Relaxes tight or overactive neck muscles
  • May reduce muscle spasms and pain
  • Can improve neck movement and comfort
  • Minimally invasive, outpatient procedure

When Should You See a Pain Specialist for Neck Pain?

Many episodes of neck pain improve with rest, medications, or physiotherapy. However, if your symptoms persist or continue to affect your daily life, a pain specialist can help identify the underlying cause and recommend targeted, non-surgical treatments.

You should consider seeing a pain specialist if:

  • Your neck pain has lasted for more than 4 to 6 weeks
  • Physiotherapy, medications, or other conservative treatments have not provided lasting relief
  • Neck pain is causing headaches or frequent muscle tension
  • Pain travels into your shoulder, arm, or hand
  • You experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm or fingers
  • Your neck pain keeps coming back or is becoming more frequent
  • You want to explore non-surgical treatment options before considering surgery
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How Dr Diana Chan Treats Neck Pain

No two cases of neck pain are exactly alike. Dr Diana Chan takes the time to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms before recommending a personalised treatment plan, focusing on effective, minimally invasive options whenever appropriate.

Comprehensive Assessment

Dr Diana Chan carefully assesses whether your symptoms are coming from the muscles, facet joints, cervical discs, or compressed nerves using a detailed examination and imaging where needed.

Match the Right Treatment to the Right Diagnosis

Once the source of your pain has been identified, treatment is tailored to your condition. Every recommendation is based on your diagnosis rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Minimally Invasive Before Surgery

Many patients can improve without surgery. When appropriate, Dr Diana Chan recommends targeted, minimally invasive treatments to relieve neck pain, restore movement, and support recovery.

Why Patients Choose Dr Diana Chan for Neck Pain

Specialist in Pain Medicine

More Than 20 Years of Clinical Experience

Precision-Guided Neck & Spine Injections

Focus on Non-Surgical Neck Pain Relief

Singapore's Only Female Private Pain Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

You should seek medical assessment if your neck pain lasts longer than 4–6 weeks, is severe, keeps returning, or is associated with arm weakness, numbness, tingling, or difficulty with balance or coordination.

Yes. Many slipped discs improve with time, medications, physiotherapy, and minimally invasive treatments. Surgery is usually only considered if symptoms are severe, progressive, or do not respond to conservative care.

Pain relief varies depending on the condition and treatment. Some patients experience relief for several weeks, while others benefit for several months.

Muscle pain usually causes stiffness and soreness around the neck and shoulders. A pinched nerve is more likely to cause pain that radiates into the arm, along with numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Most patients tolerate neck injections well. You may feel brief discomfort during the procedure, which is performed under imaging guidance to improve accuracy and comfort.

It depends on the procedure performed. For some treatments, you may be advised not to drive until the next day, so it’s best to arrange for someone to accompany you.

Yes. Problems affecting the muscles or joints in the neck can cause cervicogenic headaches, which typically start at the base of the skull and spread towards the head.

Yes. Many consultations and procedures may be covered by Integrated Shield Plans or corporate insurance. Our team can help verify your coverage and assist with the claims process.