At PainMed, we believe effective pain treatment begins with understanding its true origin. Unlike general pain treatments that simply aim to mask symptoms, diagnostic injections are precisely designed to help us determine the cause of your discomfort.
These are minimally invasive procedures that our specialists perform by targeting specific areas with a small amount of anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medication. If your pain reduces after the injection, that provides a clear clue about the source, guiding our next steps.
The diagnostic injections help our chronic pain specialists locate the source of your pain and guide your ongoing treatment, whether that means continuing with further injections, trying physical therapy, or considering another form of management.
Diagnostic injections are a valuable tool used by our chronic pain specialists to identify the specific source of your pain. A positive response to these injections can help confirm the pain generator and inform the next steps in your treatment plan, often leading to a targeted procedure such as radiofrequency treatment for longer-term relief.
If you are experiencing persistent back pain, our team at PainMed offers expert assessment and evidence-based management. We take the time to understand your history, perform a thorough evaluation, and develop a treatment approach tailored to your clinical needs.
01
Back and Neck Pain
Chronic back pain is one of the most frequently managed conditions at our clinic. It can present with a range of symptoms, including persistent aching, stiffness, sharp or burning sensations, and pain that radiates into the hips, legs, or buttocks. These symptoms often worsen with certain movements or prolonged positions, and may significantly impact daily function and quality of life.
When pain has persisted for months or years, identifying the exact source can be challenging. Diagnostic injections play a crucial role in helping to localise the pain generator, such as facet joints, sacroiliac joints, or specific nerve roots, providing valuable guidance for targeted treatment options, such as radiofrequency procedures aimed at longer-term relief.
02
Sciatica
This is often a symptom of an underlying condition, rather than the condition itself. Nerve root blocks, one of the diagnostic tools we use, can confirm if a specific nerve is responsible for the pain running down your leg.
03
Facet Joint Pain
Facet joints are small paired joints located at the back of each vertebra, connecting one vertebra to another. They provide stability and guide motion in the spine, allowing for movements such as bending, twisting, and turning. Each facet joint is lined with cartilage and surrounded by a capsule that contains synovial fluid, which helps the joint move smoothly.
When facet joints become inflamed, arthritic, or irritated, often due to wear and tear, injury, or degeneration, they can cause a condition known as facet joint syndrome.
Common signs and symptoms include:
Diagnostic facet joint injections can help confirm whether these joints are the source of pain and may also offer temporary relief. If the injection provides a positive response, patients may be candidates for longer-term treatments such as radiofrequency neurotomy.
01
Back and Neck Pain
Chronic back pain is one of the most frequently managed conditions at our clinic. It can present with a range of symptoms, including persistent aching, stiffness, sharp or burning sensations, and pain that radiates into the hips, legs, or buttocks. These symptoms often worsen with certain movements or prolonged positions, and may significantly impact daily function and quality of life.
When pain has persisted for months or years, identifying the exact source can be challenging. Diagnostic injections play a crucial role in helping to localise the pain generator, such as facet joints, sacroiliac joints, or specific nerve roots, providing valuable guidance for targeted treatment options, such as radiofrequency procedures aimed at longer-term relief.
02
Sciatica
This is often a symptom of an underlying condition, rather than the condition itself. Nerve root blocks, one of the diagnostic tools we use, can confirm if a specific nerve is responsible for the pain running down your leg.
03
Facet Joint Pain
Facet joints are small paired joints located at the back of each vertebra, connecting one vertebra to another. They provide stability and guide motion in the spine, allowing for movements such as bending, twisting, and turning. Each facet joint is lined with cartilage and surrounded by a capsule that contains synovial fluid, which helps the joint move smoothly.
When facet joints become inflamed, arthritic, or irritated, often due to wear and tear, injury, or degeneration, they can cause a condition known as facet joint syndrome.
Common signs and symptoms include:
Diagnostic facet joint injections can help confirm whether these joints are the source of pain and may also offer temporary relief. If the injection provides a positive response, patients may be candidates for longer-term treatments such as radiofrequency neurotomy.
04
Herniated or Bulging Discs
Disc issues don’t always cause pain, but when they do, it’s important to know exactly which disc it is. Discography may help identify whether the disc is generating the pain or not.
05
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition that involves narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to compression of the spinal nerves. This can result in a range of symptoms, including lower back pain, numbness or tingling in the legs, weakness, and difficulty walking or standing for prolonged periods. Symptoms often worsen with activity and improve with sitting or leaning forward.
Targeted injections can help confirm the specific area of nerve compression and assess how much inflammation is contributing to the symptoms. This information can guide further management, including the potential for longer-term interventions such as radiofrequency treatment.
06
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction
Pain around the lower back or buttocks might actually stem from the SI joint. Targeted injections can confirm whether this is the source of the pain and help guide further treatment.
04
Herniated or Bulging Discs
Disc issues don’t always cause pain, but when they do, it’s important to know exactly which disc it is. Discography may help identify whether the disc is generating the pain or not.
05
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition that involves narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to compression of the spinal nerves. This can result in a range of symptoms, including lower back pain, numbness or tingling in the legs, weakness, and difficulty walking or standing for prolonged periods. Symptoms often worsen with activity and improve with sitting or leaning forward.
Targeted injections can help confirm the specific area of nerve compression and assess how much inflammation is contributing to the symptoms. This information can guide further management, including the potential for longer-term interventions such as radiofrequency treatment.
06
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction
Pain around the lower back or buttocks might actually stem from the SI joint. Targeted injections can confirm whether this is the source of the pain and help guide further treatment.
01
Nerve Root Blocks
These involve injecting anaesthetic near the nerve root to determine if it’s responsible for pain. It’s a simple but effective way to isolate nerve-based pain.
02
Facet Joint Injections
Often used for lower back or neck issues, these injections target the small joints between the vertebrae. Relief after the injection helps confirm if the joint is the problem area.
03
Medial Branch Blocks
This procedure focuses on the nerves that supply the facet joints. It’s particularly useful for patients who haven’t responded to other treatments.
04
Trigger Point Injections
Muscle knots or trigger points can cause pain that radiates throughout the body. A quick injection can relax muscles and offer diagnostic insight at the same time.
Our team comprises highly trained chronic pain specialists with extensive experience in interventional pain management, supported by a dedicated group of allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, psychologists, exercise physiologists, and dietitians. Together, we provide a multidisciplinary approach to address the physical, functional, and psychological aspects of persistent pain.
We use advanced imaging techniques to ensure that injections are delivered with precision.
All procedures are minimally invasive, typically involving little to no recovery time. In most cases, patients are able to return home shortly after the injection and resume normal activities with minimal disruption.
PainMed is a specialised pain clinic offering modern, evidence-based care for a wide range of chronic pain conditions. From musculoskeletal injuries to post-surgical pain and nerve-related issues, we focus on your history, your symptoms, and your treatment goals.
Our services extend beyond injections to include a comprehensive range of interventional procedures, multidisciplinary assessments, and pain education. We work collaboratively with allied health professionals—such as physiotherapists, psychologists, exercise physiologists, and dietitians—to support a holistic understanding of your condition. This approach aims to empower patients with knowledge and strategies for managing pain, rather than simply enduring it.
Whether you’re consulting a back pain specialist doctor for the first time or coming in after years of frustration with unresolved symptoms, our goal is to simplify the process and get you on a clearer path.
To begin your assessment and explore appropriate treatment options for lasting pain relief, contact our clinic on (02) 8999 1054 to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists.
Diagnostic injections are generally well tolerated. A local anaesthetic is used to numb the area beforehand, so most patients experience only minimal discomfort during the procedure, which is typically brief. Some mild soreness may occur afterwards, but this usually settles within a day or two.
If the targeted area is the source of your pain, you may notice improvement within minutes to hours. However, this relief is often temporary; it’s primarily used to confirm diagnosis rather than offer long-term treatment.
Parkway SAN Clinic Suite 202, 172 Fox Valley Street New South Wales, 172 Fox Valley Street Wahroonga Australia
Unit 505, 10 Century Circuit Norwest Australia
Suite 204, 30 Campbell Street Blacktown Australia
Nepean Hospital, 1, Hope Street Kingswood PENRITH New South Wales Australia
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Originally from England, Sally graduated from St George’s Hospital, University of London in 2004 with a BSc (First Class Hons) in Physiotherapy. Since settling in Australia, Sally has worked in private practice and in the public hospital setting across Sydney.
Sally gained a Masters in Medicine Pain Management from the University of Sydney in 2019 and is a Titled Pain Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian Physiotherapy Association).
In addition to private practice, Sally currently works as a Senior Physiotherapist at Westmead Hospital Pain Management Service.
Sally is highly skilled in assessing, diagnosing and treating people who experience chronic pain. She enjoys working with injured workers and CTP claimants. She has a deep understanding of the impact of pain on the whole person and on their functioning in daily life. In partnership with her colleagues, Sally enjoys applying her knowledge and clinical skills to provide a safe space for exploration of the physical and emotional meaning of pain and for recovery of function.
Qualifications and Experience
Dr. Adam is a Fellowship-trained Pain Medicine Specialist with a Fellowship from the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FFPMANZCA) and a Master of Pain Medicine from the University of Sydney. He is dedicated to the comprehensive management of chronic pain across all age groups.
Dr. Adam trained in adult pain medicine at Liverpool Hospital, Nepean Hospital, and the Department of Pain Medicine, and completed additional training in paediatric chronic pain at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. He currently serves as a Staff Specialist at Westmead and St George Public Hospitals (NSW Health), and is a Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) at Liverpool Public Hospital, St George Private, Sydney Southwest Private, Holroyd Private, Norwest Private, and Nepean Private Hospitals.
He adopts a whole-person, multidisciplinary approach rooted in the socio-psycho-biomedical model, utilising both pharmacologic and interventional techniques. These include:
Dr. Adam is an Authorised Prescriber of Medicinal Cannabis and holds a Diploma in Medicinal Cannabis. He is also certified in Opioid Treatment Programs, including Methadone, Suboxone, and Buprenorphine injections. His areas of interest include opioid dependence management, medicinal cannabis, and interventional pain procedures.
He also completed advanced training in Virtual Reality Therapy for chronic pain and mental health disorders in Barcelona, Spain, and has further qualifications in Focused Psychological Strategies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Clinical Hypnosis.
Qualifications: