Dr Christopher Liu is a highly trained Pain Specialist with expertise gained from prestigious institutions such as Singapore General Hospital and the University Health Network (Toronto). With a focus on personalized care, Dr. Liu specializes in treating a broad range of pain conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders, nerve pain, headaches, orofacial pain, and cancer pain.
Backed by extensive clinical experience and a distinguished academic career, Dr Liu provides comprehensive pain management solutions tailored to each patient’s needs. He is also a well-known pain researcher and has published in many high impact journals.
Besides these, he is an active member of several professional organizations such as the American Interventional Headache Society and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA). He also serves as the Pain Section Editor for British Journal of Anaesthesia Education journal.
We treat patients with a wide range of pain-related conditions. Specifically, we see individuals whose pain hasn't improved within a week of starting, as some of these conditions can become chronic if not treated early (such as low back pain). We also treat patients who have already developed chronic pain, which is defined as pain lasting 12 weeks or more.
Some of the common pain conditions we treat include:
Musculoskeletal pain
Low back pain & sciatica from lumbar disc herniation
The diagnosis of your pain condition begins
with a comprehensive initial consultation. During this appointment, we will identify potential sources of your pain. Based on the findings,
further investigations such as blood tests, imaging scans, or diagnostic
injections may be recommended to pinpoint the exact cause of your
discomfort and guide the most effective treatment plan.
Multidisciplinary treatment
In pain medicine, there is no
one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on your condition, treatment may involve
simple measures like rest and medications, or more advanced
options such as physical therapy, minimally invasive procedures,
or even surgery. We collaborate with other specialists and allied
health professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for your pain
management and overall health
Minimally-Invasive Procedures
Minimally invasive procedures are often recommended for managing persistent pain. These
treatments can help provide relief with less recovery time compared to
traditional surgery. Examples include injections, Btx, nerve
ablations, and spinal cord stimulator implants. Depending on the
specific condition and treatment, the results can range from pain relief
to potential long-term relief or even curative outcomes. Each
treatment is tailored to address your individual pain needs.
Interventional Pain Procedures
Interventional Pain Procedures are minimally invasive (non-surgical) treatments that
help manage pain. These procedures target the source of pain, providing relief
and improving quality of life. Here are some common types of interventional
pain procedures:
Epidural Steroid Injections: Help reduce inflammation around nerves, relieving pain in the back, neck, and limbs.
Nucleoplasty: Reduces pressure inside spinal discs and relieves nerve compression, often used for disc-related pain.
Barbotage: Removes calcium deposits in tendons, which can reduce pain from conditions like tendonitis.
Nerve Ablation: Involves numbing or destroying specific nerves to stop pain signals from reaching the brain.
BTX Injections: Help relax muscles and reduce the release of pain-causing neuropeptides, offering relief for muscle-related pain.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: Use the body's own platelets to promote tissue healing and regeneration, speeding up recovery.
These non-surgical pain treatments can provide significant relief for many conditions,
allowing patients to return to their daily activities with less discomfort. If
you're struggling with chronic pain, these options may help improve your
quality of life.