Pain Specialists Australia

Three months after I had back surgery in early 2016 I was referred to this place because I was still in severe pain. The doctor physio and psychologist told me I would have back pain forever that it was in my head and to stop laying down. I was only 20 yeas old. I needed a non emergency ambulance to travel to my appointments because it was a long car ride and I could not sit down for very long without being in severe pain. After a few weeks the doctor told me he would no longer approve for the ambulance to take me to the appointments and to stop being a hypocondriac as there was 'nothing wrong with me'. They didn't help me with the pain they only made it worse so I stopped going. I have lived in severe crippling pain since then unable to work, unable to go on holidays, unable to move out of home and so on. It was recently it was discovered I have severe hip problems that are so bad its never been seen before in any other patient which were causing back pain. Turns out there is something very wrong with me physically. Basically in summary I wouldn't go to this pain clinic

I had unbearable pain in my right leg and spent 8 days in hospital whilst the doctors thought it was caused by pinched nerves where they emerge from between the vertebrae and tried a cortisone injection into my spine which proved ineffective. The neurosurgeon in charge then said I’d two options, a back operation with the likelihood of needing to bolt 2 vertebrae together or he could get a pain specialist to look at me. Dr Christelis of Pain Specialists Australia then saw me, talked me through the history and nature of the pain and prodded around my back then said he didn’t believe it was a pinched nerve causing the pain, but inflammation of the facet joints at that point. He arranged a day procedure where he used radiofrequency current to treat these nerves and, as he predicted, the pain reduced to zero over a couple of weeks allowing me to travel overseas for a month pain free and, about 9 weeks since the nerve ablation I’ve had no recurrence of the pain at all. I still find it hard to believe and am exceedingly grateful to Dr Christelis for the diagnosis and successful treatment. He is methodical, patient, and a great communicator who takes care to make sure his logical approach is understood and welcomes questioning. I highly recommend him and his organisation to anyone seeking appropriate treatment for pain.

It's all about and lots of it. 900 dollars for a visit. The one star does not apply to Dr. Reddy, to whom 5 stars are assigned. He is a considerate and dedicated talented doctor.

Dr Annie Chu has changed my life for the better! She has helped control my neuropathic pain down my left leg after a left ankle reconstruction and subsequent nerve damage. Dr Annie Chu is empathetic, thorough and an absolute delight to have manage my pain. I would have no hesitation in recommending Dr Annie Chu to anyone who is experiencing debilitating pain.

Highly recommend Dr Njo, he has assisted me in getting my life back and managing my acute on chronic pain. Thank you for your treatment and wholistic care.

The staff and doctors / specialists and therapists here have been so supportive it’s been a really positive experience for me. When you need to visit a place like this it’s really important to have a good connection with your treating team and I can personally say after many years of medical needs this practice is by far superior in every way. I am so grateful to Dr Nick Christelis and his team for their ongoing care and genuine interest in my wellbeing. Thank you so very much.

After 25 years of chronic pain and countless medical appointments and treatments that cost me a fortune, I saw Dr Glareh in November 2022. She asked me numerous questions about my pain and cured it within 48 hours with the dispensing of a new prescription. I can barely express how happy and grateful I am.

Thank you Dr Nick you are amazing, I can not thank you enough.
My pain went from 7.5 to a 1 within about 24 hrs.

The pain specialist is great but reception is a pain to deal with, it’s like talking to a government department and slow. You have to keep calling back, because trust me, they will not. Also, please note they do not offer any concession or pension discounts on consultation or procedures. My pain specialist moved from his private practice to pain specialists Australia and his fees doubled as he was no longer allowed to set his own prices.

If they are concerned about profitability, they should have raised the fees on everybody and offered a discount to concession holders. Every other pain specialist in melbourne I have spoken to will do a pension discount on fees.

He also started pushing referrals to their own therapist & physiotherapist despite my having external practitioners, which he never did prior to moving to Pain Specialists Australia.

The receptionist Jasmine is very difficult to understand, talks over the top of you and doesn’t listen to what you’re saying. She pretty much just says yes we’ll call you back but there will never be a follow up.

The review is written under a pseudonym to avoid backlash, please don’t contact me

Whilst visiting from overseas had a long-term pain issue that was rapidly diagnosed and treated by this team. Thanks everyone. Very professional & efficient.

Absolute rubbish! If you have a long term CHRONIC pain condition like our daughter has had for 12yrs (similar symptoms to long Covid) do NOT go to the clinic in Richmond! She was referred by her Neurologist and didn’t even get the referred doctor but was given a different doctor on the appointment day? This doctor was absolutely clueless. The doctor would NOT discuss the medication that our daughter was currently taking even though it helped her immensely and gave her some quality of life. Instead, she our daughter on a muscle relaxer which did nothing and was told to continue taking them (on an expensive zoom call) Our daughter was also prescribed a medication that you could only get from a compounding chemist but after some research, we discovered the said medication would cause our daughter more harm so did not pursue. All in all, it was a painful road journey to the appointment and expensive for the supposed help that our daughter was to receive.

Be very careful with this company! I was charged over $400 for a 15 minute phone consultation. After telling the doctor UP FRONT that I could NOT afford more than $2000, am chronically ill and unable to work.
They insist on full payment before giving you a quote via email at a later date?
Which was $8000+!
Clearly this doctor knew I couldn't afford that amount but went ahead anyway?
An absolute wrought! I told my Pain Specialist at The Royal Melbourne and he started that this was clearly 'unscrupulous and targetted ill people who are in pain and vulnerable. '
Why this treatment is only available privately I do not know?
Pain is pain! It's not about treatment for the wealthy only? Shame on you!
In reply to the below.
Yes.you DO have my details and as I received your quote via my email address?
I did NOT speak with your doctor for that period of time.
And I was NOT offered a comprehensive plan of treatment.
I called requsting details and costs with regards to Ketamine infusions as my GP had recommended this treatment and had sent a referral to your business on my behalf.
If I had been given the information and pricing around hospital costs up front I would have been aware that this treatment was not affordable for people such as myself.and wouldn't have had to pay what the equivalent of one week's earnings are for myself, to receive this basic information?
Again, I am extremely perplexed that pain treatments such as this are only available privately and are not accessable to chronic pain sufferers like myself who are unable to work or enjoy a decent quality of life because we simply cannot afford treatments?
'The lucky country? 'Only for some it seems?

After suffering with chronic back and upper hamstring pain in both legs since 2015, and after visiting GPs, physiotherapists, osteopaths, a neurosurgeon and having had multiple MRI scans with no outcome, I was finally referred to Pain Specialists Australia. I have had nothing but positive experiences with the practise and with Dr Vinny Reddy. The questionnaire I initially filled out asked questions no other professional had, really focusing on rating pain, mood and ability which I really liked. Dr Vinny Reddy listened to everything I had to say and explain about my pain, and answered so many questions that I had- that nobody had been able to answer for many years. I feel I am finally in the best hands on my road to recovery. I can't recommend Pain Specialists Australia and Dr Vinny Reddy enough!

This clinic is the personification of what excellent, empathetic, expert, ethical, holistic and respectful medical care looks like. I barely have the words to describe how grateful I am to not just the doctors here but the nurses and admin/reception staff. Dr Annie Chu and Dr Nick Christelis have been so humble when I express this gratitude, and that's because they genuinely believe in helping people. Dr Annie has been available almost 24/7 to me in my toughest times (which is unheard of in my prior experience w specialist doctors), and whilst in hospital Dr Nick spent a long time sitting and talking with me about the procedures/plans. Before coming to this clinic, I'd long lost any hope I had in the medical professionals of Australia after 15 years of being bounced around to every possible specialist and clinic under the sun (and racking up hospital bills I'll still be paying off beyond the grave). More than 30 Australian medical professionals (GPs, surgeons, specialists, other Pain Clinics) had failed over the years to provide any relief or solutions, and I was experiencing the compounded damaging effects of 15 years of being told I was 'hysterical' and 'the pain isn't real'. Even when my conditions were taken seriously, I always ended up being over-medicated with ensuing complications. I was exhausted from having to be my own advocate and be the constant conduit and communicator between doctors and hospitals and clinics and radiologists and pharmacists and physiologists.all I ever wanted was for my doctors to TALK to each other, to work with each other - and with me - to manage my condition. That's what PSA does - they have a genuine allied/interdisciplinary care approach; they actually care and they show that; they are open to your thoughts/suggestions/concerns; if one thing doesn't work they're always looking for other options and they don't give up; and most importantly, they are one of the only pain clinics in this country (and I've been to a few) that I've found that genuinely practise medicine how it ought to be practised - with curiosity, empathy and collaboration. Further to this - and this cannot be understated - they understand informed consent. They talk me through costs and payment options up-front; they are responsive and reassuring and they are sensitive to any extenuating circumstance or disadvantage patients may be experiencing.

I had my first appointment with Pain Specialists Australia two months ago, on March 16. The appointment booking process was excellent and they had no problems with my need to use the National Relay Service for my Telehealth consultation. The doctor was fantastic. I felt he had a good understanding of my problem and discussed various treatment options before deciding to stick with an S8 medication that I had in the past and I know works wonders for me.
The problem came when I was told I would need a GP to write the prescriptions. My referring Telehealth GP left the practice and his replacement refused to treat me. Myself and my parents have spent the last 2 months constantly searching for a GP willing to help. I am bedbound due to the severity of my condition. I can’t physically attend a GP office and I haven’t seen a GP face to face in well over 2 years, so I can’t get Telehealth even if I pay for it privately. My search has resulted in 2 formal complaints against 2 GP practices. My physical and mental health has suffered tremendously and I’m now almost totally bedridden, unable to eat or drink or take care of personal hygiene.
The specialist and receptionists initially agreed to help me find a GP but had no success either.
I was initially dealing with a particular receptionist who was amazing. She responded to all my emails promptly and fully answered all my questions, which is such a rarity. For some reason, I’m now dealing with a different receptionist. I have asked her many questions and she’s only answered one or two. This is adding to my existing level of anxiety.
In the last two months, I’ve received 2 weeks worth of medication. I’m told that the specialist can only prescribe one week at time, with no reason given. Now, I am being told that if I want more I will need weekly appointments, again with no reason given. I have run myself into the ground trying to find a GP and my mental and physical health has suffered a great deal. I’m way worse off now than I was 2 months ago. You would think that given the massive effort and the resultant damage to my health, there would be some more substantial help forthcoming from the specialists. I still have been given no reason as to why the specialist cannot provide ongoing prescriptions, and why it must be done through a GP. And to top it off, my specialist is going on leave soon and, for reasons unknown, I’m not able to see a different specialist while mine is away! If someone would explain to me the reason why I’m in my current state, I might feel at least a little better. I think I deserve a proper explanation at the very least.

Hello to all.
I have been a patient at Pain Specialist Australia in Richmond since Sept 2020.lve been struggling with a condition that called CRPS and have undergone a few procedures that are used in the medical field to try and manage this painful condition.l have since started physiotherapy within the clinic Pain Specialist Australia about 6 weeks ago. 2 that have been by Telehealth Video and 1 face on appointment.l would love to share my experience so far with anyone that is struggling from some kind of Chronic Pain Condition. My physiotherapist at Pain Specialist Australia is a lovely lady named Farahnaz Foroozeshkhah. Farah for short would have to be one of the most motivated specialists l have ever come by. Her knowledge in her field shows off in her presence with an almost spiritual connection that she can connect with you, inside and out. Farah shared some extremely in-depth YouTube videos with me to help me try and understand in more complex the signals and the way in which we all feel pain which is highly controlled by our brain. Learning this is not an easy experiment as when watching these videos it’s about almost retraining our brains to think different. Farah is such a beautiful soul that she gives her entire upmost to her clients, thats one being me. On leaving her face to face session l felt like l was floating in the most magical place l have ever traveled through. Farah’s essence of the most powerful and positive vibes continued with me for days. I wanted all that are in a position to read my thoughts to highly recommend you to this inspirational lady who has not only been in a similar position as myself dealing with pain But she can also share her studies and knowledge to all to help them manage there pain in a more.manageable way. A big shout out to Farah Thanks for trying to help me so far in dealing with something l can’t explain to anyone else unless they have experienced the same kind of pain. Looking forward to our next session

inimanageable state

I have been treted by Dr nick christalis for 7 years this year with a severe spine injury, Dr nick has controlled my pain with rf neurotomy ketamine infusions spine stimulater, trying to let live a normal life with minumin opoids.how ever we now have Dr bradley lewinson doing pain management he treted me at the avenue hospital last month for rf neurotomy spine blocks and ketamine infusion which i have once ayear these doctores i would say are the most dedicated at their work and understand pain i dont believe i would still be on this planet if it wasent for pain specilist australia as pain couldnt be controlled after 3 suregys in a very short time 10/10 guys thanks for your suport and care and in the future Dr nick you picked a fine doctor Dr bradly, to join yor team i find him exelent i hope pain suffers under pain specilit australia could write a simular colum as in hospital with other patients it is all praise, i have a saying Dr nick is the closet thing to god i have ever seen, regards howard maffra vic

Pain Specialists Australia have a fantastic team of doctors, nurses, allied health staff and admin staff who are all dedicated to helping patients with chronic pain.

I've seen the dedication of the team in action and seen the hours of work in the background that the team put in to help their patients.

If you have chronic pain, these are the people you should see as they will work tirelessly to help get you on the right path and help you get your life back.

I have for the first time received a wholistic approach to my pain including my mental health, diet and physio. It has been an empowering process which has yielded great results.

I had the opportunity to get a spinal cord stimulator implant in February 2021. I was classed as High Risk due to other medical conditions (On warfarin). I was unable to do a 2 week trial of the device prior, so I opted to get the device implanted without having the trial. Since having the implant it has been a game changer to my Quality of life with an 80% improvement of my spinal pain.
The Staff and management team are incredibly helpful and certainly made sure that I understood all aspects of the procedure and follow up consultations made sure I fully understand the device and how it works. I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Thank you
Pain Specialists Australia