Specialist assessment for persistent and complex pain, with a particular focus on spinal and nerve-related symptoms.
Different spinal structures can produce similar symptoms. The priority is to understand the likely source of pain before deciding whether any procedure is appropriate. Explore spinal pain expertise →
Assessment of persistent lower back pain, including possible facet-joint or vertebrogenic contributions. The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying diagnosis.
Trusted patient information: NHS: Back pain ↗ · Guy’s and St Thomas’: Low back pain ↗
Related procedure leaflets: General information on injections ↗ · Medial branch blocks ↗
Investigation of pain radiating from the back into the leg, including suspected nerve-root irritation and other causes.
Trusted patient information: NHS: Sciatica ↗ · Cambridge University Hospitals: Sciatica ↗
Related procedure leaflets: Nerve root / transforaminal epidural injection ↗ · Epidural steroid injection ↗
Assessment of persistent neck pain, including joint-related and muscular contributors and symptoms that may require further investigation.
Trusted patient information: NHS: Neck pain ↗
Related procedure leaflets: General information on injections ↗ · Medial branch blocks ↗
Pain around the lower back, pelvis or buttock may arise from the sacroiliac joint or neighbouring structures. Assessment helps guide rehabilitation, injections or selected radiofrequency treatment.
Leg symptoms associated with narrowing around spinal nerves require careful assessment, including review of imaging and consideration of when surgical opinion may be more appropriate than injections.
Review of ongoing pain following spinal or other procedures, with attention to possible mechanisms and realistic options.
Trusted patient information: NHS: Peripheral neuropathy and nerve injury ↗
Related procedure leaflets: General information on injections ↗
Assessment of facial pain and headaches, including pain linked to occipital nerves and upper cervical joints. Available options include occipital nerve blocks, C2/3 facet joint blocks and radiofrequency treatment, and botulinum toxin for selected non-migraine conditions.
Assessment of persistent shoulder pain, with targeted treatment options including bipolar radiofrequency ablation of sensory branches of the suprascapular nerve near the glenoid.
Evaluation of neuropathic symptoms such as burning, electric-shock sensations or sensitivity to touch.
Trusted patient information: NHS: Peripheral neuropathy ↗
Related procedure leaflets: General information on injections ↗
Individual assessment where symptoms have persisted despite previous treatment or the diagnosis remains uncertain.
Trusted patient information: NHS: Complex regional pain syndrome ↗
Read independent Faculty of Pain Medicine leaflets about procedures and pain medicines, including potential benefits, risks and alternatives. Treatment is considered only after an individual assessment.
A careful assessment is the starting point for an individual treatment plan.
Information about common conditions and treatment decisions.