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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

Conditions

Back Pain Treatment in Singapore

Back pain can make everyday activities like walking, sitting, working, or sleeping difficult. If your pain continues 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, improve mobility, and help you return to everyday life.
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Our Doctor

Dr Diana Chan: Back 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 Back Pain Happen?

Back pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It can develop when the muscles, ligaments, spinal discs, joints, or nerves in the back become irritated, inflamed, or injured.

While some episodes improve with rest, others are caused by underlying spinal conditions that require targeted treatment. Identifying the source of your back pain is important, as different causes respond to different treatments.

Common Causes of Back Pain

Back pain can arise from several structures within the spine. Understanding the underlying cause helps determine the most appropriate treatment and whether minimally invasive pain management may be beneficial.

Muscle Strain

Overstretching or overusing the muscles and ligaments in the back is one of the most common causes of back pain. It often occurs after heavy lifting, repetitive movements, poor posture, or sudden twisting.

Slipped (Herniated) Disc

A spinal disc can bulge or rupture, placing pressure on nearby nerves. This may cause lower back pain, with some patients also experiencing pain, numbness, or tingling that travels into the buttock or leg.

Degenerative Disc Disease

As spinal discs naturally wear down with age, they become less effective at cushioning the spine. This can lead to chronic lower back pain, stiffness, and reduced flexibility.

Facet Joint Arthritis

The small joints at the back of the spine can become inflamed or arthritic over time. This is a common but often overlooked cause of persistent back pain, particularly when standing, twisting, or bending backwards.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces around the spinal nerves become narrower, placing pressure on the nerves. Symptoms may include lower back pain, leg pain, numbness, or discomfort that worsens with prolonged standing or walking.

Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joints connect the spine to the pelvis. When these joints become inflamed or move abnormally, they can cause pain in the lower back, buttock, or hip that is often mistaken for sciatica.

Compression Fractures

Compression fractures occur when one of the spinal bones collapses, most commonly due to osteoporosis or trauma. They can cause sudden, severe back pain and may limit movement if left untreated.

Inflammatory Spinal Conditions

Less commonly, back pain may be caused by inflammatory or autoimmune conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis or other spondyloarthropathies. These conditions often cause persistent back pain and stiffness

What Does Back Pain Feel Like?

Back pain can feel different depending on the underlying cause. It may come on suddenly after an injury or develop gradually over time, ranging from a mild ache to persistent pain that affects your daily activities.

Many people experience a constant ache across the lower back that worsens after physical activity or at the end of the day.

Certain movements, such as bending, lifting, twisting, or getting out of bed, may trigger a sudden sharp pain in the back.

Prolonged sitting, standing, or driving can place additional strain on the spine, causing back pain to worsen over time. Many patients notice temporary relief after changing position or walking.

Back pain may spread into the buttocks or upper legs without necessarily being sciatica. However, if pain travels below the knee or is accompanied by numbness or tingling, it may indicate nerve irritation that should be assessed.

The muscles surrounding the spine may tighten involuntarily, causing painful spasms that make movement difficult.

Many people notice stiffness when getting out of bed, after sitting for long periods, or following physical activity. This may improve as the back begins to move.

How Dr Diana Chan Diagnoses Back Pain?

Back pain can have many different causes, so identifying the source of your symptoms is the first step towards effective treatment. A thorough assessment helps Dr Diana Chan determine the underlying cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment for your condition.

Dr Diana Chan will discuss when your pain started, where it is located, what makes it better or worse, and whether you have symptoms such as leg pain, numbness, weakness, or stiffness.

Your posture, spinal movement, muscle strength, reflexes, and nerve function will be assessed to determine whether your pain is arising from the muscles, joints, discs, or nerves.

If further assessment is required, imaging such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans may be recommended to evaluate the spine, discs, joints, or nerves and confirm the underlying cause of your back pain.

Can Back Pain Go Away Without Surgery?

Yes. Many cases of back pain improve with activity modification, medications, physiotherapy, and time. Maintaining movement and strengthening the muscles that support the spine can also aid recovery.

However, if your back pain persists, keeps returning, or continues to limit your daily activities despite conservative treatment, further assessment may be needed. Dr Diana Chan offers a range of minimally invasive treatments that target the underlying cause of pain, helping many patients find relief without surgery.

Non-Surgical Back Pain Treatments

If your back pain has not improved with medication or physiotherapy, surgery may not be your only option. Dr Diana Chan offers a range of minimally invasive treatments that target the source of your pain, with every treatment plan personalised to your diagnosis, symptoms, and recovery goals.

Trigger Point Injections

How it works

Trigger point injections are used to release tight muscle knots that contribute to back pain, muscle spasms, and restricted movement. They are commonly recommended for muscular back pain that has not improved with conservative treatment.

Benefits

  • Relieves muscle pain and spasms
  • Improves flexibility and movement
  • Quick, minimally invasive procedure
  • May reduce the need for pain medication

Facet Joint Injections

How it works

Facet joint injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly into the small joints of the spine to reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by arthritis or joint irritation. They are commonly used for chronic lower back pain that worsens with standing or twisting.

Benefits

  • Reduces inflammation in the spinal joints
  • Helps relieve chronic back pain
  • Can help identify the source of pain
  • Minimally invasive with little downtime

Epidural Steroid Injection

How it works

An epidural steroid injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication around irritated spinal nerves. It is commonly recommended for back pain caused by slipped discs, spinal stenosis, or inflamed nerve roots.

Benefits

  • Reduces nerve inflammation
  • Relieves back and leg pain
  • Improves mobility and daily function
  • Image-guided for precision

Nerve Root Block

How it works

A nerve root block targets a specific spinal nerve using local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication. It helps reduce radiating pain and can also confirm which nerve is responsible for your symptoms.

Benefits

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

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

How it works

Radiofrequency ablation uses controlled heat to interrupt pain signals from the nerves supplying the facet joints. It is an effective option for selected patients with chronic back pain that has not responded to medication, physiotherapy, or injections.

Benefits

  • Long-lasting pain relief
  • Minimally invasive
  • No surgical incision
  • May reduce reliance on ongoing pain medication

Annuloplasty

How it works

Annuloplasty is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure used to treat discogenic pain caused by tears in the outer layer (annulus) of a spinal disc. Controlled thermal energy is applied to the damaged area to reduce pain signalling and stabilise the affected disc.

Benefits

  • Targets pain arising from damaged spinal discs
  • Minimally invasive alternative to surgery for selected patients
  • Preserves surrounding spinal structures
  • May improve chronic disc-related back pain

Biacuplasty

How it works

Biacuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure for discogenic pain that uses cooled radiofrequency energy to treat painful tears within the spinal disc. It aims to reduce pain by modifying pain-transmitting nerves within the disc while preserving its overall structure.

Benefits

  • Designed for chronic disc-related back pain
  • Targets painful annular tears
  • Minimally invasive with no large incision
  • May reduce pain and improve daily function

Vertebroplasty / Kyphoplasty

How it works

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures used to treat vertebral compression fractures, most commonly caused by osteoporosis. Medical bone cement is injected into the fractured vertebra to stabilise the bone, while kyphoplasty also uses a balloon to help restore vertebral height before the cement is placed.

Benefits

  • Stabilises vertebral compression fractures
  • Helps relieve back pain caused by spinal fractures
  • Minimally invasive with short recovery time
  • May improve mobility and daily function

When Should You See a Pain Specialist for Back Pain?

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

You should consider seeing a pain specialist if:

  • Your back pain has lasted for more than 6 weeks
  • Your pain keeps returning despite treatment
  • Pain spreads into your buttock or leg
  • Standing or walking for long periods has become difficult
  • Back pain is affecting your sleep or daily activities
  • Medications or physiotherapy are no longer providing relief
  • You want to explore non-surgical treatment options before considering spine surgery
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How Dr Diana Chan Treats Back Pain

Back pain can originate from different structures within the spine. 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 wherever appropriate.

Identify the Source of Your Back Pain

Back pain may arise from the spinal discs, facet joints, muscles, sacroiliac (SI) joints, or nerves. A detailed assessment helps determine exactly where your pain is coming from so the most appropriate treatment can be recommended.

The Right Treatment for the Right Cause

Not every patient needs injections, and not every patient needs surgery. Treatment is tailored to your diagnosis and may include medications, physiotherapy, targeted injections, or minimally invasive procedures depending on the source of your pain.

Helping You Stay Active Without Surgery

The goal of treatment is to reduce pain, restore movement, and help you return to work, exercise, and everyday activities while avoiding surgery whenever possible.

Why Patients Choose Dr Diana Chan for Back Pain

Specialist in Back, Spine & Nerve Pain

More Than 20 Years of Pain Medicine Experience

Precision-Guided Spine Injections

Focus on Non-Surgical Back Pain Relief

Singapore's Only Female Private Pain Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Many cases improve with activity modification, medication, physiotherapy, and minimally invasive treatments. Surgery is usually only considered when symptoms are severe or do not respond to conservative treatment.

You should seek medical assessment if your back pain lasts longer than 6 weeks, is severe, keeps returning, or is accompanied by leg weakness, numbness, difficulty walking, or changes in bladder or bowel control.

Muscle pain usually causes aching, stiffness, or tenderness in the back. A slipped disc is more likely to cause pain that radiates into the buttock or leg, along with numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Most patients tolerate back injections well. You may feel brief pressure or mild discomfort during the procedure, which is performed under imaging guidance for accuracy.

Pain relief varies depending on the cause of your back pain and the type of injection. Some patients experience relief for several weeks, while others benefit for several months.

In many cases, gentle movement and appropriate exercises can help recovery. However, it’s important to avoid activities that worsen your pain and seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

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

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.