Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Pain is often a warning signal of injury or disease. Painful conditions of the spine and the musculoskeletal system are very common problems in our local population. About 80 percent of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lifetime. In a large survey, more than a quarter of adults reported the experience of low back pain during the previous 3 months. Pain can either begin abruptly as a result of an accident or it can develop gradually over time due to age-related changes of the spine. A sedentary lifestyles can also set the stage for lower back problems. 

Treatment for spinal pain generally depends on whether the pain is acute or chronic, and whether there is any neurological involvement. It is often hard to pinpoint the exact cause of someone’s spinal pain. Even MRIs can be misleading because abnormalities in imaging studies, such as degenerating discs, can be seen on scans in virtually everyone over the age of 30, regardless of whether they have pain. The images also do not tell us the actual physical and neurological functions of the patient. Even severe or prolonged spinal pain does not by itself mean you need surgical intervention. Besides the potential risks and high cost, surgeries have only been found to be helpful in a small proportion of the spinal pain population. This is especially true if your only symptom is spinal pain without any impairment of your neurological function. 

The main benefit of our service is our expertise in diagnosing patients with painful conditions and treating them without the need of invasive treatments such as steroid injections or surgeries.  

The main benefit of our service is our expertise in diagnosing patients with painful conditions and treating them without the need of invasive treatments such as steroid injections or surgeries. 

Investigations
We can arrange clinical investigations using imaging studies via X rays, ultrasound studies, CT scans, MRI scans and bone scans. 

Electrodiagnostic procedures are useful when patients have spinal pain or pain and numbness in the limbs to confirm whether they have cervical or lumbar radiculopathy or peripheral nerve diseases. The procedures include electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS). EMG assesses the electrical activity of a muscle and can detect if muscle weakness results from nerve damage. NCSs are often performed together with EMG to exclude conditions that can mimic radiculopathy. 

Treatment Goals
The Pain Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation Team will help us make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of pain in patients and enable them to 

• Achieve swift and adequate pain control using analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs and neuropathic pain medications
• Regain physical strength and endurance necessary for full participation in life activities
• Overcome anxiety and depression
• Replace a self-image of disability with one of wellness 
   

Directed by a seasoned specialist in pain management, our Pain Assessment Treatment and Rehabilitation Programme takes an interdisciplinary approach to provide comprehensive specialised care to people experiencing acute and chronic pain. 

Our specialist holds a Subspecialty Certification in Pain Medicine from the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He also holds an Honorary Clinical Associate Professorship position with the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of The Hong Kong University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. 

Based on a comprehensive evaluation that includes a review of the medical records from other institutions, a detailed physical examination, special imaging studies and electrodiagnostic examination when necessary, our team will provide a tailor-made intensive interdisciplinary treatment and rehabilitation programme. 

Treatment will include physiotherapy to improve body mechanics, muscle strength, flexibility and endurance. Non-addictive medications will be prescribed to control pain, insomnia and depression. Occupational therapy and work hardening will be provided to improve strength and endurance through the simulation of various work and leisure tasks. Some patients may benefit from clinical psychology evaluation, counselling and biofeedback training with the goal of pain control by reducing muscle tension and nervous system arousal.