Dr Thor Timothy (Thor Timothy Anuntapon Chutatape) is a Singapore-based anaesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist who graduated from the National University of Singapore with an MBBS and a Master of Medicine in Anaesthesiology. He undertook fellowship pain-medicine training in Australia.
He holds the Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, is a Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice, and a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine Singapore. He practises at the Novena Pain Management Centre at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and at Farrer Park Hospital, treating conditions such as lower back pain, sciatica, neck pain and cancer-related pain using minimally invasive interventional techniques.
Clinical focus
Chronic back & neck pain.
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS, M.Med (Anaesthesiology), FFPMANZCA, FIPP, EDPM, FAMS.
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: Novena Pain Management Centre — Novena (Mount Elizabeth Novena)
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital; Farrer Park Hospital
Getting to the clinic
Dr Thor Timothy practises at the Novena Pain Management Centre at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, and also at Farrer Park Hospital. The Novena site is served by Novena MRT (NS20) on the North-South line, a short, largely sheltered walk from the hospital and its specialist centre, with bus services along Thomson Road and taxi or ride-hailing drop-off at the entrance. The Farrer Park site sits at Farrer Park MRT (NE8) on the North-East line, with exits leading almost directly to the hospital and the linked Connexion building.
Both hospitals provide paid visitor parking with lift access to the consultation floors, which is convenient if you are driving from outside the central area or carrying scans and records. If your pain makes walking difficult, a taxi or private-hire drop-off at the entrance is usually the easiest option, avoiding the walk from the station concourse. It is worth confirming which location your appointment is at when you book, and allowing a little extra time during weekday peaks when both medical hubs are busiest.
What chronic back and neck pain care covers
Dr Thor’s clinical focus is chronic back and neck pain, and his work also covers conditions such as lower back pain, sciatica, neck pain and cancer-related pain. Chronic spinal pain can arise from worn or injured discs and joints, irritated or compressed nerves, muscle and ligament problems, or a combination of these. Sciatica, for example, is leg pain caused by irritation of a nerve in the lower back, often with the back pain itself.
As an anaesthesia-trained pain medicine specialist with fellowship training in Australia, he uses minimally invasive interventional techniques alongside medication and rehabilitation. Image-guided injections, nerve blocks and related procedures aim to identify and calm the structures generating pain, while physiotherapy and self-management support lasting recovery. The aim is to reduce pain to a manageable level, restore movement and function, and help you return to work, sleep and daily activities. Treatment is individualised, and many people do best with a combination of approaches rather than one alone, reviewed over time.
What to expect at a consultation
A first visit focuses on understanding your back or neck problem in detail. Dr Thor will take a full history of where the pain is, how it started, what makes it better or worse, whether it spreads into the limbs, and how it affects sleep, work and daily life. A focused examination of the spine, movement, strength, reflexes and nerves follows.
He may review existing scans or arrange further imaging or tests where these will change the plan. He will then explain the likely source of the pain and discuss the options, which can range from medication and physiotherapy to image-guided injections or interventional procedures. You will be able to ask questions and weigh the benefits, limits and risks of each option before deciding on a plan that suits you.
Preparing for your appointment
- Photo identification, and a GP or polyclinic referral letter if you have one.
- Previous spine scans, films or reports (X-ray, MRI, CT) and any nerve or blood test results.
- A full list of current medicines and supplements with doses, including anything tried for the pain.
- A written list of symptoms and the questions most important to you.
- A pain diary noting what triggers the pain, when it is worst and how it limits activity.
- Details of allergies, blood-thinning medication and any past reactions to injections or anaesthetic.
After your consultation and follow-up
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 is involved and any preparation. Results and progress are usually reviewed at follow-up, as chronic spinal pain is typically managed over weeks and months while treatment and rehabilitation are adjusted to your response.
Keeping your own notes on what helps and what does not supports better decisions at each visit. Report any new or worsening symptoms promptly, and remember a second opinion is always your right. Seek urgent care for red-flag symptoms such as sudden severe leg 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 Thor can usually be seen without a formal referral, though a GP or polyclinic referral letter aids continuity and may be needed for subsidised care elsewhere. For eligible procedures, MediSave, MediShield Life or an Integrated Shield Plan may help within set limits, while consultations are generally paid out of pocket. Confirm charges, claim eligibility and coverage directly with the clinic before proceeding.
Common questions
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica is leg pain from irritation or compression of a nerve in the lower back, often from a disc or joint problem. Assessment identifies the source to guide treatment.
Do I need surgery for back pain?
Many people improve without surgery, using a combination of medication, physiotherapy and image-guided procedures. Surgery is considered only in specific situations.
Are spinal injections safe?
Image-guided injections are commonly used and are performed with care. The specialist will explain the benefits, limits and any risks before you decide.
How long until I feel better?
This depends on the cause. Some procedures help within days, while overall recovery is judged over several weeks as treatment and rehabilitation progress.
Related guides
Sources & verification
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.
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