01
Lower back pain
Understand how symptoms, examination and selective imaging fit together.
Pain specialist · Singapore
Understand your pain.
Know your options.
Dr Thor Timothy assesses back, neck, joint and nerve pain, helping you make an informed decision about your care. Your symptoms, daily function and personal goals guide the next step.
Care may include rehabilitation, medicines or selected image-guided procedures. Some conditions need surgical assessment.
Novena Pain Management Centre
Novena · Mount Alvernia · Farrer Park
MBBS (Singapore) · MMed (Anaesthesiology)
FFPMANZCA · FIPP · EDPM · FAMS
Start with what you feel
A clearer picture
of your symptoms.
Similar symptoms can have different causes. These guides explain what an assessment may involve, the options to discuss and the warning signs that need prompt attention.
02
Sciatica
Explore leg pain, tingling and numbness associated with spinal nerve irritation.
How a decision is made
The right next step
starts with listening.
A treatment plan should make sense to you: what it aims to achieve, what remains uncertain and how progress will be assessed.
01
Understand the problem
Discuss your symptoms, previous treatment and what pain stops you doing. Examination comes first; scans are considered when their results are likely to change care.[1]
03
Review what matters to you
Agree on practical goals: walking further, sleeping more comfortably or returning to an activity. Review progress and reconsider the plan when symptoms or priorities change.
Your daily life matters
What would you like
to do more comfortably?
A walk with your family. A better night’s sleep. A more comfortable working day. Bring your own priorities to the appointment so the conversation stays focused on what matters to you.
Treatment decisions
Know the evidence.
Understand the trade-offs.
Procedures have different purposes and different levels of evidence. These guides explain patient selection, potential benefits, limitations and important risks.
Radiofrequency treatment
Thermal ablation and pulsed radiofrequency explained
Nucleoplasty
Disc decompression for selected circumstances
Disc annuloplasty
The technique, uncertainty and alternatives
Biological injections & PRP
What research can and cannot tell us
A procedure is an option to evaluate, not an automatic next step. Benefit is not guaranteed. Different clinical guidelines sometimes reach different conclusions; the individual guides explain those differences.
PAIN RESEARCH NEWS
Promising research.
Clear perspective.
Read what recent trials found about pain treatments, with the benefits, limitations and original sources explained.
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What a new RFA technique comparison could mean
A brief research update for patients considering radiofrequency treatment: how to read a technique comparison and discuss it with your clinician.
-
A promising update for persistent diabetic nerve pain
A short guide to a new stimulation study and the questions to discuss when diabetic nerve pain continues despite an existing care plan.
Before your visit
A few useful
questions.
You do not need to know your diagnosis before asking for an appointment.
What should I bring to an appointment?
Bring any scan reports and images, your medicine and supplement list, and details of previous treatment. A short note on what the pain stops you doing can help focus the discussion. Tell the clinic about allergies and blood-thinning medicines; do not stop prescribed medicines without individual advice.
Will I need a scan or a procedure?
Neither is automatic. For back pain and sciatica, imaging is usually considered when it is likely to change management. Treatment depends on your history, examination, previous care and goals. Some people need rehabilitation or medication review; others may need an intervention or surgical assessment.[1]
Can I ask about insurance before booking?
Yes. Ask the clinic to check your insurer, plan and any referral or pre-authorisation requirements. Panel participation and claim eligibility can vary. Confirmation for your own policy is more useful than assuming an insurer logo guarantees cover.
Where can I see Dr Thor?
Clinic locations are at Mount Elizabeth Novena, Mount Alvernia and Farrer Park. Contact the clinic to confirm the venue, available appointment and directions before travelling.
Sources behind this page
Evidence sources checked 10 November 2026. General information; your care needs an individual assessment.
1. NICE NG59: Low back pain and sciatica — assessment and management.
2. WHO (2023): Guideline on chronic primary low back pain. This guidance addresses chronic primary low back pain.
Make the next step simple
Talk to the clinic.
Ask about an appointment, the most convenient location or what to prepare for your visit.
Mount Elizabeth Novena
38 Irrawaddy Road, #07-51
Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
Singapore 329563
Mount Alvernia
820 Thomson Road, #06-54
Mount Alvernia Medical Centre D
Singapore 574623
Please confirm your appointment and venue with the clinic. Routine enquiries are not an emergency service. WhatsApp opens an external messaging service; avoid sending sensitive medical details in an initial enquiry.