About Dr Nicholas Chua and our clinic

Dr Nicholas Chua,
Pain Specialist in Singapore

Medical Director and Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesiology at Specialist Pain International

Dr Nicholas Chua provides assessment and individualised treatment for acute, chronic and cancer-related pain. At Specialist Pain International, his approach centres on understanding your symptoms, discussing your treatment options and developing a plan that considers your daily life and goals.

Who Is Dr Nicholas Chua?

Dr Nicholas Chua is the Medical Director and Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesiology at Specialist Pain International, located at Mount Elizabeth Novena Medical Centre in Singapore.

His clinical work includes assessment and management of pain involving the spine, nerves, muscles and joints, as well as headache conditions and cancer-related pain. His background includes specialist training in anaesthesiology, interventional pain practice and research into chronic neck pain and cervicogenic headache.

Medical and Specialist Training

Dr Chua graduated from the National University of Singapore, where he also earned his Master of Medicine in Anaesthesiology. He subsequently completed advanced specialist training at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he led the Acute Pain Service.His further qualifications and training include:

Fellowship of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP), World Institute of Pain.
PhD, Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands, with research focused on chronic neck pain and cervicogenic headache.
Training in Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) for pain diagnostics in Germany.
Diplomate certification from the American Academy of Pain Management.

Research, Education and Professional Contributions

Alongside patient care, Dr Chua contributes to pain medicine through research, teaching and professional collaboration. His previous roles include President of the Pain Association of Singapore and Director of Education for Asia at the World Institute of Pain. He also served on the World Institute of Pain’s global examination board for eight years.

His academic work includes editorial and peer-review contributions to medical journals.

What Is Specialist Pain International?

Specialist Pain International (SPI) is a pain management clinic at Mount Elizabeth Novena Medical Centre in Singapore. Dr Nicholas Chua leads its clinical care, supported by a clinic team that helps patients arrange appointments and navigate administrative matters.

The clinic provides assessment and treatment planning for acute, chronic and cancer-related pain. Where appropriate, care is coordinated with other doctors and allied health professionals, including physiotherapists and psychologists.

The aim is to help patients manage pain, support daily function and work towards goals that matter to them.

What to Expect When You See Dr Nicholas Chua

Detailed diagnostic assessments
Use of electronic medical records
Support for most insurance plans
Accessibility accommodations
Streamlined referral process for GPs and specialists

Each patient receives a structured care plan that addresses both immediate and longer-term management needs.

What to Expect When You See
Dr Nicholas Chua

A consultation focused on your pain

Dr Chua reviews your symptoms, medical history, previous treatments and the effect of pain on your daily activities.

Treatment options explained

Following assessment, Dr Chua discusses the options relevant to your condition and helps you understand the proposed next steps.

Support with practical arrangements

Our clinic team can assist with appointments and insurance-related documentation, where applicable.

Coordination and follow-up

Your care may involve follow-up reviews and collaboration with other healthcare professionals, depending on your needs.

A consultation with Dr Nicholas Chua, focusing on careful diagnosis and tailored pain management

A treatment approach that may include medications, image-guided procedures, or coordinated care with physiotherapy or rehabilitation providers

Administrative support for insurance-related matters, where applicable

Continuity of care through collaboration with allied healthcare professionals

How Dr Nicholas Chua Assesses Your Pain

At Specialist Pain International (SPI), each patient undergoes a structured evaluation process to determine an appropriate course of management. This includes:

Understanding your symptoms
Your consultation includes a review of your pain, medical history and previous care, together with a physical examination. Dr Chua also considers how pain affects your movement, sleep, work and other activities.

Investigations where needed
Depending on the findings, investigations such as imaging or diagnostic nerve blocks may be considered to help clarify the source of pain. These are recommended according to clinical need.

Planning your care
Dr Chua discusses the assessment findings and available treatment options with you. Your plan takes account of your condition, preferences and goals, and may be reviewed as your needs change.

Treatment Options at Specialist Pain International

Treatment is selected after assessment. Depending on your condition, Dr Chua may discuss:

Medication to help manage pain.
Physiotherapy and coordinated rehabilitation.
Targeted injections for neck, back, joint or muscle pain.
Nerve blocks and other procedures for nerve-related pain.
Radiofrequency procedures, including pulsed radiofrequency where appropriate.
Epiduroscopy or spinal endoscopy for selected conditions.
Spinal cord stimulation for suitable patients.
Procedures targeting the sympathetic nerves, where clinically indicated.

Some procedures may be arranged as day procedures. If your condition requires other specialist input or inpatient care, appropriate referrals can be discussed.

Dr Chua will explain why a treatment is being considered, its potential benefits and risks, and the alternatives. Where appropriate, treatment is combined with rehabilitation and support from other healthcare professionals.

Dr Nicholas Chua on Persistent Back Pain

Watch Dr Nicholas Chua discuss possible causes of persistent back pain, assessment and treatment approaches, and considerations for ongoing management.

Care That Considers Your Daily Life

Pain can affect more than the area that hurts. It may disrupt sleep, movement, work, relationships and emotional wellbeing. Dr Chua considers these effects when discussing your care and treatment goals.

Your plan may address both your current symptoms and longer-term needs. Where appropriate, this includes rehabilitation, follow-up reviews and coordination with other healthcare professionals.

Our clinic team can also help with appointment arrangements, referral documentation and insurance-related administration. Let us know about any access or mobility needs when arranging your visit so we can discuss suitable arrangements.

Take the Next Step in Understanding Your Pain

If pain is affecting your daily life, arrange a consultation with Dr Nicholas Chua. An assessment can help clarify your condition and the treatment options available to you.

Book a Consultation

Contact the Clinic

Dr Nicholas Chua, Pain Specialist in Singapore