Chronic pain is a complex and debilitating condition which can have a major impact on your levels of physical activity and quality of life. The Pain Doctors team of specialist physicians are able to provide the most advanced techniques available for the treatment of pain in a supportive and compassionate environment. We will work with you to develop a management strategy to reduce your levels of pain, improve your function and restore your quality of life.
Specialist Pain Medicine Physician and Anaesthetist with a key interest in interventional techniques.
Dr Leigh Dotchin practices full time interventional pain management and is a Director of The Pain Doctors, Gold Coast, Australia. He is a Fellow of the Australian Faculty of Pain Medicine and the Australian College of Anaesthetists. Dr Dotchin co-founded and co-directed the Gold Coast public pain unit before moving into private practice. He has been Supervisor of Training for the Faculty of Pain Medicine on the Gold Coast and has spent more than a decade working in Pain Medicine. He continues to be part of a dedicated team undertaking treatments, research and data collection to further the options for patients suffering for chronic pain conditions. He regularly presents on interventional techniques and pain management topics.
The Pain Doctors provide individually tailored treatment care plans which integrate multiple disciplines and specialties.
Accurate diagnosis using the latest imaging technologies coupled with clinical insight and experience is key to identifying the source of pain.
Individualised medication plans using the most recent clinical trial information provide the greatest benefit while reducing problematic side effects.
Interventional treatment techniques are used to reduce pain directly. These often produce the most dramatic results as they target the source of pain.
In patient or daystay pain rehabilitation is aimed at providing physical therapy to improve muscle tone, posture, movement and balance.
Opioid based medications (e.g. morphine) are commonly used for chronic pain conditions. Using them effectively and avoiding side effects can be challenging and careful planning and monitoring are key.
We work closely with general practitioners, specialists (e.g. neurosurgeons, spinal surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, psychiatrists, medical physicians) and allied health providers to provide comprehensive treatment.
We are happy to provide advice about and work with alternative medicine options if you use these to assist with managing your pain.
Inpatient (hospital based) treatment programs are based at Pindara hospital and the new Southport facility. They educate patients about the pain experience and provide life skills and tools to maximise their ability to overcome pain.
The injection of a pain relieving mix of medications is placed through a flexible plastic tube into the area around inflamed and irritated spinal nerves
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An electrode is placed into the target area and heat energy from radio waves is used to numb the structures have become painful and inflamed.
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Injection of a pain relieving solution into facet joints can be used to both diagnose where pain is coming from as well as reduce inflammation. Similar injections can be used in other areas.
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A guidable plastic tube can be placed into inflamed spinal regions and manoeuvred around nerves and scar tissue. Scar dissolving medication can be injected to free trapped nerves.
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Similar treatments can be used throughout the spine to treat pain occuring at these levels. Cervical facet denervation can reduce both neck pain and headaches.
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A small camera can be placed via a plastic catheter into the spine to directly visualise the affected area. This allows for accurate diagnosis and direct treatment.
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Those who do not feel pain seldom think that it is felt.
Please contact our friendly reception staff in order to arrange an appointment. They will go over the details with you and get you to see us as quickly as possible.
The pain doctors are based at Pindara Private Hospital but provide services across all of the main Gold Coast private hospitals.
