Patient Information
Booking an Appointment
obtain a REFERRAL
Please obtain a referral to our practice from your GP or a specialist.
book an appointment
Our admin team will contact you once we receive your referral to arrange a suitable appointment time.
BRING YOUR INFORMATION
Please bring your Medicare and private health cards, medication lists and any relevant specialist reports, test results or imaging.
what to expect
Your Treatment Journey
Your first appointment involves a detailed pain assessment, review of history, examination where appropriate, and discussion of goals.
We'll develop a clear management plan which may include interventional procedures, medication changes, rehabilitation strategies or referral to other clinicians.
If an intervention is recommended, you'll receive information about the procedure, expected benefits, risks, recovery and aftercare.
Following your first appointment, we'll coordinate with GP and other members of your health team. We'll review your progress post-treatment to assess response, adjust plans where appropriate and ensure ongoing rehabilitation and functional progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chronic pain, and how is it different from normal pain?
Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the usual healing timeframe, often lasting more than three months. Unlike acute pain, it may continue even after tissues have healed and can involve changes in the nervous system, including sensitisation and altered pain processing.
Do I need a referral to see a pain specialist?
Yes. A valid referral from your GP or another specialist is required to access specialist pain medicine services and Medicare rebates.
What conditions do you treat?
Herston Pain Pathways manages a broad range of persistent pain conditions, including spinal pain, neuropathic pain, post-surgical pain, CRPS, musculoskeletal pain, pelvic pain, headache disorders, cancer-related pain, and work or motor vehicle injury-related pain.
Do you prescribe opioid medications or ongoing pain medications?
Herston Pain Pathways focuses on specialist assessment, interventional pain management, rehabilitation planning, and multidisciplinary care coordination.
Ongoing prescriptions including opioid therapy, medicinal cannabis, and routine medication management remain the responsibility of the patient’s regular GP or treating medical team.
Recommendations may be provided to assist the GP with medication planning where appropriate.
Who manages my regular prescriptions?
Your GP remains the primary prescriber for ongoing medications. Following assessment, Herston Pain Pathways may provide treatment recommendations or advice to support your GP in managing your medications safely and effectively.
What interventional procedures do you offer?
Depending on the condition, procedures may include nerve blocks, radiofrequency neurotomy, pulsed radiofrequency treatment, sacroiliac joint interventions, epidural procedures, peripheral nerve treatments, and other image-guided pain interventions.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
Yes. Telehealth is available for many review appointments where clinically appropriate. Some assessments and all procedures require face-to-face attendance.
Will I need surgery?
Most patients referred to Herston Pain Pathways are assessed for non-surgical pain management options. If surgical input is required, appropriate referrals can be coordinated with spinal surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, or neurosurgeons.
Will procedures cure my pain?
Pain procedures are designed to reduce pain, improve function, and support rehabilitation. Outcomes vary depending on the condition, and most procedures form part of a broader management strategy rather than a standalone cure.
How quickly can I return to work or normal activity?
Recovery timelines vary significantly depending on the diagnosis, duration of symptoms, psychosocial factors, and response to treatment. Where possible, the clinic supports graded rehabilitation and safe return-to-work planning.
What if previous treatments have failed?
Many patients referred to the clinic have already tried multiple therapies. A fresh review of the diagnosis, contributing mechanisms, and previous treatment responses is often valuable in identifying alternative strategies or overlooked contributors.
Comprehensive assessment, targeted procedures and coordinated rehabilitation—all part of one clear plan.
We bring clarity and structure to complex pain conditions, offering coordinated care to help you recover.