Spinal and nerve-related injections
- Epidural injections
- Nerve root blocks or transforaminal epidural injections
- Facet joint injections
- Medial branch blocks
- Sacroiliac joint injections
Consultant-led private pain care
Private Pain Consultant and Image-Guided Pain Injections in Colchester and Ipswich
Consultant-led assessment and treatment planning for selected spinal, nerve, sacroiliac, knee and related pain conditions, including image-guided injections where clinically appropriate.
Dr Shamim Haider, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia
Self-pay and insured private patients welcome
Oaks Hospital Colchester
Nuffield Health Ipswich
Assessment before treatment
The aim is to understand whether a targeted procedure is likely to be helpful and safe in your particular situation.
About Dr Haider
Senior consultant-led private pain assessment
If you have arrived directly on this page, this short overview explains Dr Haider's background and approach before any procedure is considered.
- Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia
- Senior UK consultant experience and a 25-year medical career
- Experience in image-guided injections and radiofrequency treatments
- Balanced, honest assessment before procedures
- Private practice at Oaks Hospital Colchester and Nuffield Health Ipswich
Is this the right service for me?
A focused private pathway for selected pain problems
Back pain
Sciatica or nerve root pain
Suspected facet joint pain
Sacroiliac joint pain
Selected neck pain
Cervicogenic or neck-related headache
Chronic knee pain or genicular nerve pain
Selected shoulder or suprascapular nerve-related pain
Patients advised they may need a pain injection
Patients referred by a GP, spinal surgeon, orthopaedic consultant or another specialist
Not every pain problem is suitable for injection treatment. The first step is careful assessment.
Consultant assessment
Consultant assessment comes before treatment
The aim is not simply to perform an injection, but to understand whether a targeted procedure is likely to be helpful and safe in your particular situation.
- 1
Understand the problem
Careful history, focused examination where appropriate, and review of what has already been tried.
- 2
Review scans and treatments
Previous scan reports, clinic letters, medication and treatment history are considered alongside your symptoms.
- 3
Discuss options
Injection, radiofrequency, non-procedural options or further investigations are discussed where relevant.
- 4
Agree the next step
A procedure is arranged only if it appears clinically appropriate, safe and likely to help.
Image-guided procedures
Image-guided pain injections and procedures
Procedures are usually performed using X-ray, fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance where appropriate. The exact treatment depends on your symptoms, examination findings, previous treatment and relevant imaging.
Radiofrequency procedures
- Radiofrequency denervation
- Lumbar facet radiofrequency
- Sacroiliac radiofrequency
- Genicular nerve radiofrequency where appropriate
Selected peripheral procedures
- Genicular nerve blocks
- Suprascapular nerve injections
- Selected ultrasound-guided injections
- Trigger point injections where appropriate
Pain problems
Pain problems commonly assessed
Lower back pain
Sciatica and nerve root pain
Facet joint pain
Sacroiliac joint pain
Selected neck pain
Cervicogenic or neck-related headache
Chronic knee pain
Pain after knee replacement where nerve-related treatment may be relevant
Selected shoulder or suprascapular nerve-related pain
Widespread pain, medication-heavy chronic pain or complex unexplained symptoms may need a broader pain-management approach, and injections are not always the right first option.
Fees and access
Self-pay and insured private patients
Self-pay patients
Self-pay patients can access a clear consultant-led pathway from assessment through to treatment, including image-guided injections where appropriate. The hospital team can usually provide information about fees before treatment is arranged.
Insured patients
Insured patients are also welcome. If you are using private medical insurance, please check authorisation requirements with your insurer before booking treatment.
Referrals
If you have been referred by a GP or specialist
Many patients are referred by GPs, spinal surgeons, orthopaedic consultants or other specialists when pain injections or further specialist pain assessment may be appropriate. A referral letter or scan report can be helpful, but self-referrals are also welcome, particularly for self-pay patients.
What happens next?
A practical private appointment pathway
- 1
Choose location
Choose Oaks Hospital Colchester, Nuffield Health Ipswich, or use the enquiry route if unsure.
- 2
Consultation
Attend a private consultation for assessment and discussion of the likely pain source.
- 3
Bring reports
Bring any relevant scan reports, clinic letters or medication list if available.
- 4
Discuss options
Talk through treatment options and whether an injection may help.
- 5
Procedure if suitable
If appropriate, an image-guided procedure is arranged through the hospital.
- 6
Follow-up
Follow-up and written communication are arranged as needed.
Booking
Book a private consultation pathway
You can book directly through either hospital, or use the enquiry route if you are unsure which option is most appropriate.
Oaks Hospital, Colchester
Private pain consultations, image-guided procedures and follow-up where appropriate.
Book at Oaks Hospital ColchesterNuffield Health Ipswich
Private pain consultations, image-guided procedures and follow-up where appropriate.
Book at Nuffield Health IpswichNot sure which route is right?
Use the enquiry route for booking guidance if you are unsure which hospital or appointment route is most suitable. Please do not send detailed medical records or urgent clinical information.
Enquiry and booking guidanceSafety and expectations
Suitability, expectations and safety
Injections are not suitable for every pain problem. Assessment is required before treatment, and sedation may be available only for selected procedures where clinically appropriate.
This website is for private outpatient consultation enquiries. For urgent medical concerns, please contact your GP, NHS 111 or emergency services as appropriate.
Please do not send detailed medical records, imaging reports, photographs or urgent clinical information through the enquiry form.
FAQ