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Conditions we treat
Conditions assessed and treated at Pain Medicine WA. Each page explains what the condition is, how it is assessed, and what treatment realistically involves.
Chronic low back pain
Chronic low back pain is back pain that has persisted for more than three months. It usually has more than one contributor, and working out which structures and proc…
Sciatica and radicular pain
Sciatica is pain radiating down the leg caused by irritation of a spinal nerve root, most often from a disc protrusion. Most episodes settle over weeks to months. Wh…
Neck pain and whiplash
Persistent neck pain commonly arises from the facet joints, particularly after a whiplash injury. Diagnostic blocks can establish whether these joints are responsibl…
Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or disease affecting the nervous system itself, rather than ongoing injury to tissue. It is often burning, shooting or electric …
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is severe, persistent pain in a limb after an injury or surgery, out of proportion to the original event, with changes in colou…
Spasticity
Spasticity is involuntary muscle tightness caused by injury to the brain or spinal cord — after stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or in conditions …
Spasticity after stroke
Spasticity develops in a substantial proportion of people after stroke, most often as a tight, bent arm and clenched hand, or a stiff leg with a foot that points dow…
Spasticity after spinal cord injury
Spasticity affects most people with spinal cord injury, causing spasms, stiffness and limbs that pull into fixed positions. Some tone is useful — it can help with st…
Spasticity after brain injury
Spasticity is common after traumatic brain injury and other acquired brain injuries, often affecting more than one limb and developing within weeks of the injury. It…
Cerebral palsy spasticity in adults
Adults with cerebral palsy live with spasticity throughout life, and many find it becomes more troublesome with age — more pain, more fatigue, and walking or hand us…
Upper limb spasticity
Upper limb spasticity is muscle overactivity in the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist or hand after stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis or sim…
Lower limb spasticity
Lower limb spasticity is muscle overactivity in the hip, knee, ankle, foot or toes after stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis or similar cond…
Persistent post-surgical pain
Persistent post-surgical pain is pain that continues for more than three months after an operation, beyond expected healing. It affects a meaningful minority of peop…
Spinal cord injury pain
Pain after spinal cord injury is common and takes several distinct forms — musculoskeletal pain from overworked structures, neuropathic pain at or below the level of…
Pain after brain injury
Pain after traumatic brain injury or stroke takes several forms — persistent headache, pain from spastic muscles and affected joints, shoulder pain on a weakened sid…
Phantom limb and amputation pain
Most people who lose a limb feel sensations in the missing part, and many experience genuine pain there — phantom limb pain. It is distinct from pain in the residual…
Pelvic pain
Persistent pelvic pain lasts more than six months, affects people of all genders, and usually has more than one contributor — nerves, pelvic floor muscles, joints an…
Cancer pain
Cancer pain can come from the cancer itself, from its treatment — surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy — or from both. Most of it can be well controlled, and where …
Occipital neuralgia and cervicogenic headache
Some headaches begin in the neck. Occipital neuralgia arises from the occipital nerves at the back of the head; cervicogenic headache arises from the upper neck join…
Osteoarthritis and joint pain
Osteoarthritis pain does not always match what X-rays show, and joint replacement is not the only option — nor always the right one. Exercise and strength work are t…
Work-related injury pain
Persistent pain after a workplace injury is assessed and treated here under WorkCover WA. Please tell the practice you have a WorkCover claim when booking, so pre-ap…
Motor vehicle injury pain
Persistent pain after a motor vehicle crash is assessed and treated here under Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA) claims. Please tell the practice abou…
How to arrange an appointment
A referral from a GP or specialist is required. Referrals are accepted by Healthlink (EDI: painmdwa), fax 08 6114 0717 or email admin@painmedicinewa.com.
Enquiries: 0448 299 260 — Monday 9:00am – 4:00pm, Tuesday to Thursday 8:00am – 4:00pm.