Pain Management Clinic

A unique and specialised clinic to help the people in Port Melbourne and surrounds who need extra support, or a new approach, to managing their pain. This clinic is a safe place to discuss your pain, how it affects you and your life, and to explore your management options.

As with any medical condition, the different treatment options can suit some people better than others. Each individual person requires a different approach, depending on their unique situation. In the pain clinic, your doctor will review your history, as well as other aspects of your life that could be impacted by treatment choices. Together, you can work through the various options, expected response and potential side effects, and work out the best plan for you.

Pain Clinic FAQs:

Q: Which doctors run this clinic?

A: This clinic is run by Dr Ferghal Armstrong and Dr Anne Saunders, who are both qualified Specialist General Practitioners, and who both have an interest and additional qualifications in pain medicine.

Q: What is “Chronic pain” and is this common?

A: Chronic pain is defined as a persistent pain, experienced on most days of the week, that has lasted beyond the expected time for the tissue to heal (usually 3 months). It is estimated by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to affect 1 in 5 Australians aged 45 and over.

Q: Who would benefit from attending this clinic?

A: Anyone who is finding that their chronic pain is impacting their life. They may find they are limited in the activities they can participate in, or that their mental health is declining due to living with pain. Sleep may be affected, or people may find they are needing escalating drug doses to reduce the pain.

Q: Who is this clinic not suitable for?

A: This clinic is not suitable for people who attend just for a quick script. This clinic is not a quick opiate script service. This is a service for people who are keen to review their pain, whether there are any medical procedures that could help them, and who are interested in exploring ways to optimize their function.

Q: What should I expect from the consultation?

A: The first appointment will be a 45-minute appointment (which allows the doctor an additional 15 minutes to collate notes, history and any referrals required). At this first appointment, they will review your medical history and pain (including medication and response to treatment) history. Once they understand your history and patterns, they will discuss with you the various options for management.

The various management options may include changing medication, exercises, medical procedures, and consideration of other areas that may help, such as physiotherapy or pain psychology.

Dr Ferghal and Dr Anne are both up to date with the latest treatment options available, and what is the evidence for each option. They will discuss this with you and together you can decide what is best for you.

If after the first consultation you decide that you do not want to proceed further, there will be no pressure to continue with the process. However, the door will be open if you wish to pursue this again down the track.

Subsequent appointments will generally be 30 minutes, to assess response, concerns regarding treatment, as well as mental health if this is required.

Q: I think I am addicted to my pain medication – but if I stop taking it my pain will be unbearable. Is this clinic the right clinic for me?

A: Dr Ferghal and Dr Anne are both trained to assess and manage addiction to substances (including addiction to pain medication), as well as managing pain. They understand the difficult situation people are in – that they don’t want to be relying on medication, and certainly don’t want to be addicted to it. They are well aware of the difficult predicament of needing the tablets to manage the pain, without wanting to take escalating doses. They are aware of the most up to date strategies and management for this situation, and can advise you on the best treatment for you.

Q: What are the costs to attend this clinic?