Dr Bernard Lee Mun Kam — General Pain Medicine Specialist in Singapore

Dr Bernard Lee Mun Kam is a Singapore-based pain specialist trained in anaesthesia, holding an MBBS and a Masters of Medicine in Anaesthesiology, together with a Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. He practises interventional pain management at Singapore Paincare Center, with clinics at Paragon Medical Centre in Orchard and at Novena.

He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Paincare Holdings Limited, and a member of the International Association for the Study of Pain and the Pain Association of Singapore. His clinical work covers conditions including neck and back pain, joint and musculoskeletal pain, nerve-related pain, and head and facial pain.

Clinical focus

General pain medicine.

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MBBS (Singapore), Masters of Medicine (Anaesthesiology), Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, ANZCA.

Where they practise

• Clinic / practice: Singapore Paincare Center (see our clinic listing) — Orchard (Paragon) / Novena
• Hospital / training affiliation(s): Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre

Getting to the clinic

Dr Bernard Lee Mun Kam practises with Singapore Paincare Center across Orchard and Novena. The Orchard clinic sits within Paragon Medical at 290 Orchard Road, one of the most accessible specialist addresses in the city. The closest stations are Orchard MRT (NS22/TE14) on the North-South and Thomson-East Coast lines and Somerset MRT (NS23), both a short, sheltered walk along Orchard Road. From the Orchard station exits you can stay under cover through the adjoining malls in much of the corridor. Numerous bus services run along Orchard Road, and taxis or ride-hailing cars can set down directly at Paragon’s frontage or in the basement drop-off. The Novena clinic is served by Novena MRT (NS20) on the North-South line, with taxi and bus access along Irrawaddy Road and the surrounding medical cluster.

Paragon and the Novena medical buildings both provide paid visitor parking in their basements, which is convenient if you are coming from outside the central area or carrying scans and records. Lifts connect the carparks to the specialist floors. If you find walking difficult because of your pain condition, a taxi or private-hire drop-off at the entrance is usually the gentlest option, as it avoids long walks from the train concourse. Allow extra time during weekday lunch hours and weekend shopping peaks, when Orchard Road traffic is heavier and the carparks fill more quickly.

What general pain medicine covers

Pain medicine is the field that assesses and treats persistent or complex pain that has not settled with ordinary measures. Dr Lee’s clinical work spans neck and back pain, joint and musculoskeletal pain, nerve-related (neuropathic) pain, and head and facial pain. These problems can arise from worn or injured spinal joints and discs, trapped or irritated nerves, arthritis, old injuries, or conditions where the nervous system continues to signal pain after tissue has healed.

As an anaesthesia-trained interventional pain specialist, his approach combines careful diagnosis with targeted, minimally invasive procedures alongside medication and rehabilitation. Interventional techniques may include image-guided injections, nerve blocks and related procedures that aim to interrupt or calm the pain pathways involved. The goal is rarely a single quick fix; it is to reduce pain to a manageable level, restore movement and function, and support a return to work, sleep and daily activities. Treatment is usually individualised, and many people benefit from a combination of approaches rather than one alone.

What to expect at a consultation

A first visit to a pain specialist is mostly about understanding your problem in detail. Dr Lee will take a full history: where the pain is, how it started, what makes it better or worse, how it affects sleep, mood and daily life, and what treatments you have already tried. A focused physical examination follows, often looking at posture, movement, strength, reflexes and the specific structures that may be generating pain.

He may review existing scans or arrange further imaging or tests where these will change the plan. Once the likely source of pain is clearer, he will explain the diagnosis in plain terms and discuss the options, which can range from medication and physiotherapy to image-guided injections or interventional procedures. You will have the chance to ask questions and weigh the benefits, limits and risks before deciding. Bringing a clear account of your symptoms helps make this first consultation as productive as possible.

Preparing for your appointment

• Photo identification, and your referral letter if a GP or polyclinic has provided one.
• Previous records, scan films or reports (X-ray, MRI, CT) and any nerve or blood test results.
• A current list of all medicines and supplements, including doses and anything you have tried for the pain.
• A written list of your symptoms and the questions that matter most to you.
• A simple pain diary noting when pain is worst, what triggers it and how it limits activity.
• Details of any blood-thinning medication, allergies or previous reactions to injections or anaesthetic.

After your consultation and follow-up

After the visit you should leave with a clear plan and an understanding of the next steps. If injections or procedures are recommended, the clinic will explain the timing, what the procedure involves and any preparation needed. Reports and results are usually discussed at a review visit, and many pain conditions are managed over several appointments as the team adjusts treatment to your response.

Continuity of care matters in pain medicine, because progress is measured over weeks and months rather than a single day. Keep your own notes on what helps and what does not, and raise any new or worsening symptoms promptly. You are always entitled to seek a second opinion. Seek urgent medical attention for red-flag symptoms such as sudden severe weakness, numbness around the groin, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever with back pain, or pain following a significant injury.

Booking, referrals and fees

As a private specialist, Dr Lee can generally be seen without a formal referral, though a GP or polyclinic referral letter is useful for continuity and may be needed if you are seeking subsidised care elsewhere. For eligible interventional procedures, MediSave, MediShield Life or an Integrated Shield Plan may help with costs within set limits, while consultation fees are usually paid out of pocket. Confirm all charges, claim eligibility and what is covered directly with the clinic before proceeding, as fees vary by procedure and setting.

Common questions

Do I need a scan before my appointment?

Not always. Bring any scans you already have, but the specialist will decide whether new imaging is needed after examining you.

Will I be given strong painkillers?

Medication is only one part of pain management. The plan may combine targeted procedures, physiotherapy and lifestyle measures, with medicines used carefully where appropriate.

Are injections a permanent cure?

Image-guided injections can give meaningful relief and help confirm the source of pain, but results vary by condition and they usually form part of a broader plan.

How long before I feel better?

This depends on the cause. Some procedures act within days; other conditions improve gradually over weeks as treatment and rehabilitation take effect.

Related guides

• Back pain
• Joint pain

See also: our editorial directory of pain management specialists in Singapore and our shortlist of pain management clinics.

This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.