FFPMANZCA, FANZCA, FFPMCAI, FCARCSI, DPMed(CARCSI), MSOMM, FIPP
Director of Pain Medicine – Westmead Hospital
Senior Clinical Lecturer – Sydney University
Dr. Alister Ramachandran is the leading Pain Relief Specialist Service provider in Sydney. He treats back pains, spine pains, cancer pains, and nerve pains.
Nik is an Australian-trained Pain Specialist who is deeply committed to helping individuals navigate the complex challenges of living with pain. Known for his compassionate, holistic, and thorough approach, Nik takes the time to understand each person’s unique situation physically, emotionally, and medically so he can offer truly personalised care.
Nik has extensive experience across the full spectrum of pain conditions, including acute, chronic, cancer-related, and complex pain, as well as general medical disorders. He currently works with the Acute Pain Service at Sydney Adventist Hospital, where he supports patients during some of the most critical phases of their care.
Nik completed his specialist Fellowship in Pain Management at the Pain Management Research Institute, based at Royal North Shore Hospital. He went on to serve as a Pain Specialist at Nepean Hospital, where he was also a Supervisor of Education for Pain Fellows, contributing to the training of the next generation of pain physicians.
MBBS, FAFRM – RACP
Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist
Director of Pain Management Program
Dr Baraa Kassim is a highly skilled rehabilitation and pain management specialist with a wealth of experience in treating patients with complex medical conditions. As the director of the Pain Management Program, she is committed to promoting a multi-disciplinary approach to chronic pain management, with a particular focus on functional restoration.
Rehabilitation Medicine Physician | FAFRM, MBBS (Hons), BEcSocSci
Dr. Anne-Marie Robertson is a Rehabilitation Medicine Physician with a special interest in Pain Medicine and the management of complex, persistent pain conditions. She brings a calm, thoughtful approach to supporting patients with chronic musculoskeletal and neurological pain, physical injury, and disability.
Dr. Robertson is a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (FAFRM) through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and is currently completing the Interventional Pain Procedural Endorsement Program with the team at PainMed. She is a member of the Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand (RMSANZ) and the Neuromodulation Society of Australia and New Zealand (NSANZ).
She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery with Honours (MBBS Hons) and a Bachelor of Economic and Social Sciences (BEcSocSci). Her early medical training began in Western Australia, where she worked across Fremantle Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. After moving to Sydney in 2016, Dr. Robertson spent five years training in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, before completing specialist training in Rehabilitation Medicine.
Titled Pain Physiotherapist | BSc (Hons) Physio, MSc Pain Management
Originally from England, Sally is a highly experienced Pain Physiotherapist who is passionate about supporting people living with chronic pain. She graduated with First Class Honours in Physiotherapy from St George’s Hospital, University of London, in 2004, and has since built an impressive career spanning both private practice and public hospital settings across Sydney.
Sally holds a Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management) from the University of Sydney and is recognised as a Titled Pain Physiotherapist by the Australian Physiotherapy Association—a title that reflects advanced expertise in pain science and management.
She currently works as a Senior Physiotherapist at Westmead Hospital Pain Management Service and also practices privately, where she brings a warm, patient-focused approach to care. Sally is particularly skilled in working with chronic and complex pain, injured workers, and motor vehicle accident (CTP) claimants, helping clients navigate pain, restore function, and rebuild confidence.
With a deep understanding of how pain affects not just the body but also the emotional and social aspects of life, Sally offers care that is grounded in both clinical evidence and human connection. She enjoys working collaboratively with patients and her multidisciplinary colleagues to create a safe, supportive space for understanding pain and exploring what recovery can look like—on the person’s own terms.
Physiotherapist | Certified Mat & Reformer Pilates Instructor
Pooja Solanki is a dedicated Physiotherapist with over a decade of experience in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic rehabilitation, including the treatment of workplace injuries, CTP claims, and chronic pain conditions. She completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy in India and is a fully registered physiotherapist with AHPRA in Australia. She is also a proud member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
With more than six years of experience as a certified Mat and Reformer Pilates instructor, Pooja blends traditional physiotherapy with movement-based rehabilitation. She is passionate about the power of Pilates to build strength, improve posture, enhance flexibility, and support recovery not only in able-bodied individuals but also in those managing injuries and long-term pain.
Pooja specialises in exercise prescription and believes in educating her clients about their bodies to help them move better, feel stronger, and live more confidently. Her sessions are personalised, safe, and grounded in a strong clinical foundation, empowering clients to take an active role in their recovery and overall wellbeing.
With a calm, encouraging approach, Pooja creates a supportive environment where clients can reconnect with their bodies and make meaningful progress toward a better quality of life.
Accredited Exercise Physiologist | Hydrotherapy & Pilates Specialist
Ms Shima Jafari is a dedicated Accredited Exercise Physiologist working with PainMed at our Norwest clinic. With extensive experience and a genuine passion for helping individuals improve their health, Shima designs and delivers tailored hydrotherapy and Pilates sessions focused on strength, mobility, and pain management. She holds a university degree in Exercise Physiology and is skilled at assessing, prescribing, and supervising individualised exercise programs for people living with various health conditions, including chronic pain At PainMed, Shima leads both group and one-on-one hydrotherapy sessions utilising the therapeutic properties of water to reduce pain, improve joint movement, and enhance function and our specialist clinical Pilates classes, which are designed to support recovery, build core strength, and promote posture and flexibility. Shima collaborates closely with our multidisciplinary team to integrate physical, emotional, and functional goals into every client’s exercise plan. She ensures a warm, supportive environment where clients can explore movement with confidence and learn tools for improved wellbeing.
Clinical Psychologist | PostgradDipPsych, MPsych (Clinical), MAPS
Jacqueline is a Clinical Psychologist with over 13 years of experience spanning private practice, government, not-for-profit, and research settings. She has worked with individuals across the lifespan, supporting a wide range of psychological challenges including mood and anxiety disorders, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, and concerns related to self-criticism and shame.
A significant part of Jacqueline’s career has been in the disability and NDIS sector, where she supported individuals and families with complex developmental, behavioural, and support needs. Her deep understanding of systemic challenges informs her compassionate, client-centred approach to care.
Jacqueline has a particular interest in supporting individuals living with persistent pain. She recognises that chronic pain affects not only the body, but also emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. Jacqueline works collaboratively with each client, offering evidence-based strategies to help manage pain, build resilience, and regain a sense of control and purpose in life.
She draws on therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based approaches, tailoring her interventions to suit each person’s needs. Her work is grounded in the strong connection between mind and body, and she creates a safe, supportive space for meaningful change.
Jacqueline believes that with the right support, every individual has the potential to regain hope and improve their quality of life no matter how challenging the path may seem.
Clinical Psychologist | BPsych, MClinPsych
Susan is a warm, thoughtful, and perceptive Clinical Psychologist who is passionate about supporting people through life’s emotional challenges. She brings a calm, compassionate presence to her work and creates a safe space where clients feel genuinely heard and understood.
Susan holds a Bachelor of Psychology from Macquarie University and a Master of Clinical Psychology from the University of Technology Sydney. She has trained in a wide range of evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Schema Therapy.
With clinical experience in both public and private hospital settings, as well as private psychology clinics, Susan has worked with adults from diverse backgrounds and with a wide variety of mental health concerns. Her main areas of expertise are in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, including burnout and adjustment difficulties.
Susan takes a collaborative, strengths-based approach to therapy, working alongside each client to understand their unique experiences and personal goals. She believes in drawing out a person’s inner resilience and tailoring strategies that are both practical and meaningful. Whether someone is navigating a period of distress, living with long-term emotional patterns, or simply feeling stuck, Susan brings insight and support to help them move forward with clarity and confidence.
Her work is guided by the belief that with the right support, healing and positive change are always possible.
Associate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics | Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)
Dr. Vasant Hirani is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with over 25 years of experience in clinical nutrition, teaching, and research. She is currently an Associate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics and also consults in private practice, where she brings her deep expertise and compassionate approach to help individuals improve their health and quality of life through nutrition. Dr. Hirani holds a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in Nutrition, a Diploma in Dietetics, a Master’s in Public Health Nutrition, and a PhD in Nutritional Epidemiology. Her academic work and publications have focused on nutrition and ageing, public health nutrition, and the impact of diet on chronic diseases and health outcomes such as frailty, sarcopenia, and pain-related conditions. At PainMed, Dr. Hirani plays a vital role in supporting patients experiencing chronic pain, using evidence-based nutritional strategies to complement medical and allied health treatments. She creates tailored nutrition care plans that align with each patient’s health goals, dietary preferences, and unique needs—supporting improvements in pain levels, energy, and overall wellbeing. Dr. Hirani has particular strengths in:
Her passion lies in empowering patients to make sustainable lifestyle and nutrition changes that promote long-term health and functional independence. She combines scientific knowledge with practical, compassionate care—making nutrition accessible and impactful for every individual she supports.
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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
