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
Lower Back Pain Treatment in Singapore
Our Doctor
Dr Diana Chan: Lower Back Pain Doctor in Singapore
Dr Diana Chan is a Pain Medicine Specialist with over 20 years of experience and more than 2,000 pain procedures performed. She is the former Head of the Department of Pain Medicine at Singapore General Hospital and founder of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Pain Centre. She treats lower back pain using a combination of accurate diagnosis, minimally invasive interventional procedures, and long-term pain management planning with the goal of getting patients back to normal function, not just masking the pain.
- 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
What Causes Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain isn’t a single condition, it’s a symptom that can come from several different structures in the spine, muscles, or nerves. Getting the right treatment starts with identifying which one is actually responsible.
Muscle or ligament strain
From poor posture, heavy lifting, or sudden movement. Usually improves within a few weeks but can become chronic if the underlying movement pattern isn’t corrected.
Degenerative disc disease
The discs between vertebrae lose height and cushioning with age, which can lead to persistent stiffness and pain.
Slipped (herniated) disc
When the soft inner core of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer and presses on a nearby nerve. This often causes pain that radiates into the buttock or leg.
Nerve pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, typically felt as a sharp or burning pain running from the lower back down one leg.
Facet joint pain
Wear and tear in the small joints connecting each vertebra, often worse with bending or twisting.
Spinal stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on nerves, more common with age and often worse when standing or walking.
Myofascial pain
Pain originating in the muscles and surrounding connective tissue, often linked to prolonged sitting or repetitive strain.
When Lower Back Pain Signals Something More Serious
Most lower back pain is not dangerous, but certain symptoms warrant urgent medical attention rather than self-management. See a doctor promptly if your back pain comes with:
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Unexplained weight loss alongside the pain
- Fever together with back pain
- Pain following a fall, accident, or significant trauma
- Pain that is worse at night or doesn’t ease with rest
- A history of cancer, osteoporosis, or long-term steroid use
These “red flag” symptoms can point to nerve compression, infection, fracture, or in rare cases something requiring more urgent intervention, which is one reason a proper clinical assessment matters more than guessing based on symptoms alone.
How Dr Diana Chan Diagnoses Lower Back Pain
An accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment, treating the wrong structure, or treating a symptom without understanding its source, is a common reason patients feel “stuck” after months of generic treatment.
A typical first consultation includes:
A detailed history
How the pain started, what makes it better or worse, whether it radiates into the leg, and how it’s affecting daily activities, sleep, and work.
A physical and neurological examination
Assessing range of motion, muscle strength, reflexes, and specific movements or positions that reproduce the pain, which helps localise the source.
Targeted imaging where needed
X-rays to assess bone alignment and joint changes, or MRI when there’s suspicion of disc herniation, nerve compression, or other soft tissue involvement. Imaging is used to confirm a clinical suspicion, not as a blanket first step for every patient.
Diagnostic nerve blocks (where appropriate)
In some cases, a precisely placed local anaesthetic injection is used to confirm which structure is actually generating the pain, rather than relying on imaging findings alone. This is a hallmark of interventional pain medicine and helps avoid treating the wrong target.
Lower Back Pain Treatment Options in Singapore
As an interventional pain specialist, Dr Chan’s approach centres on minimally invasive treatment, used alongside medication and rehabilitation, with surgery considered only when appropriate and typically as a later step.
Epidural steroid injections
Anti-inflammatory medication delivered directly to the affected nerve root, often used for disc-related nerve pain or sciatica.
Nerve blocks
Targeted injections that interrupt pain signals from a specific nerve or joint, used both diagnostically and therapeutically.
A minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to disrupt pain signals from facet joints, offering longer-lasting relief for suitable patients.
Neuromodulation
For patients with chronic or complex pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments, devices that modulate nerve signalling can offer significant relief.
Acupuncture
Dr Chan holds a Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (MOH-recognised) and integrates it where clinically appropriate as part of a broader pain management plan.
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation
Coordination with physiotherapy and other allied health support to address movement, strength, and posture alongside pain relief.
Why See a Pain Specialist vs a GP, Physiotherapist, TCM Practitioner, or Chiropractor
Many people in Singapore start with a GP, physiotherapist, TCM practitioner, or chiropractor for back pain and for mild, short-term strain, these are often reasonable first steps. A pain specialist becomes particularly valuable when:
- The pain has lasted more than 6–8 weeks despite rest, physiotherapy, or other conservative treatment
- Pain radiates into the leg, with numbness, tingling, or weakness
- You’ve tried multiple treatments without lasting improvement and aren’t sure what’s actually driving the pain
- You want a precise diagnosis rather than continued trial-and-error treatment
- The pain is affecting sleep, work, or daily function in a significant way
- You have complex or overlapping pain conditions, such as pain following cancer treatment, or pain alongside another chronic condition
A pain specialist like Dr Chan has training specifically in diagnosing the exact source of pain and in interventional procedures that aren’t available through physiotherapy, TCM, or chiropractic care, including nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and neuromodulation.
Dr Diana Chan’s Treatment Philosophy
Dr Chan’s approach is shaped as much by personal experience as clinical training, including her own long-term shoulder injury and caring for her father through cancer-related pain. That experience underpins a philosophy centred on three things: an accurate diagnosis before any treatment is proposed, using the least invasive effective option first, and treating pain in the context of a patient’s overall quality of life, not just a symptom to be suppressed.
Why Patients Choose Dr Diana Chan for Lower 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
What does lower back pain when bending usually mean?
Pain triggered specifically by bending forward often points to a disc-related issue, such as a bulging or herniated disc, since bending increases pressure on the front of the spinal discs. If it’s accompanied by pain running down the leg, it’s worth having it assessed rather than waiting for it to resolve on its own.
Why does my lower back hurt more after sleeping?
Morning back pain can result from an unsupportive mattress or sleep position, but it can also indicate inflammatory causes or facet joint stiffness that eases with movement over the day. If it lasts more than an hour after waking, it’s worth mentioning to a doctor rather than assuming it’s the mattress.
What's the difference between chronic and acute lower back pain?
Acute lower back pain typically resolves within a few days to weeks, often linked to a specific strain or movement. Chronic lower back pain is defined as pain lasting more than 12 weeks, and it usually needs a different treatment approach, one focused on identifying the specific underlying source rather than general rest and pain relief.
How long does lower back pain treatment take to work?
This depends entirely on the cause and the treatment used. A nerve block may provide relief within days, while rehabilitation-based approaches for chronic pain may take several weeks of a combined plan to show lasting improvement. A personalised timeline is usually clearer after the initial assessment.