Dr Karthikeyan Dhandapani

He treats back pain, neck pain, joint pain (hips and knees), sciatica, widespread pain, neuropathic pain, and post-surgical pain including scar-related pain.

He uses a holistic biopsychosocial model, recognising that pain is influenced by physical, psychological, emotional, and social factors.

Yes. When appropriate, he performs epidural injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation as part of an integrated treatment plan.

Yes. His diagnostic process includes clinical assessment supported by imaging such as MRI and nerve conduction studies where necessary.

Yes. Each patient receives an individualised management plan tailored to their diagnosis, goals, and overall health context.

✔ Over 12 years’ consultant-level experience
✔ UK specialist training in Pain Medicine
✔ Holistic biopsychosocial philosophy
✔ Clear communication and patient education
✔ Evidence-based interventional expertise
✔ Individualised, multidisciplinary care

Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than expected and continues beyond the usual healing period. It may affect the back, neck, joints, nerves or muscles.

Chronic pain is not just a physical sensation; it is also influenced by the brain, nervous system, emotions, previous experiences, stress and overall wellbeing.

No. Chronic pain is real. However, the brain plays an important role in how pain is processed and experienced. Pain is created when the brain interprets signals from the body and nervous system. In chronic pain, the nervous system can become over-protective and continue to amplify pain signals even after tissues have healed.

The brain processes pain signals from the body and nervous system. This processing can be influenced by previous pain experiences, trauma, fear, anxiety, stress, emotional wellbeing and social factors. When the brain perceives threat or danger, it can increase the intensity of pain or keep pain going for longer.

Pain can continue after healing because the nervous system may remain sensitised. This means the brain and nerves continue to interpret normal signals as painful or threatening. This process can maintain chronic pain even when the original tissue injury has improved.

Scans and investigations can show structural problems, inflammation or injury, but they do not always explain how pain is being processed by the nervous system and brain.

A person may have severe pain even when scans appear normal, because chronic pain is influenced by both physical and neurological factors.

Nerve blocks and steroid injections can reduce pain and inflammation, but their effect is often temporary. According to the attached document, the benefit typically lasts around 8–12 weeks on average. If the brain and nervous system continue to maintain pain signals, symptoms may return once the physical effect of the treatment wears off.

Holistic chronic pain management is an approach that treats the whole person rather than only the painful body part. It considers the body, brain, nervous system, emotions, movement, sleep and daily life. Treatment may include medication, nerve blocks, physiotherapy, guided exercise and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.

Holistic pain management can help by addressing both the physical source of pain and the way the brain processes pain signals. By calming the nervous system and changing how the brain interprets pain, patients may achieve longer-term improvement rather than only short-term symptom relief.

A holistic chronic pain treatment plan may include medications when appropriate, targeted interventions such as nerve blocks, physiotherapy, guided exercise and Pain Reprocessing Therapy. The aim is to reduce pain, improve function and help patients better understand and manage their symptoms.

Pain Reprocessing Therapy is an approach that helps retrain the brain’s response to pain. It aims to reduce fear, calm the nervous system and change how the brain interprets pain signals. It may be used as part of a broader holistic chronic pain management plan

Yes. According to the attached document, Pain Reprocessing Therapy sessions can be provided online, making treatment more accessible for suitable patients.

Physiotherapy can be an important part of chronic pain management. Guided exercise and movement can help improve strength, confidence and function. In a holistic approach, physiotherapy is often combined with medical care and strategies that address how the nervous system processes pain.

Chronic pain often has physical, emotional and neurological contributors. A multidisciplinary approach may involve a pain physician, physiotherapist and psychologist. This team-based care can help address the different factors that maintain pain and support longer-term management.

You may benefit from seeing a pain specialist if your pain has lasted longer than expected, treatments have only helped temporarily, investigations do not fully explain your pain, or pain is affecting your mood, sleep or daily life.

A holistic pain specialist assesses both the physical symptoms and the role of the nervous system in maintaining pain. They may recommend a personalised plan that includes interventional treatments, physiotherapy guidance, medication where appropriate and pain reprocessing techniques.

Yes. Chronic pain can become more manageable with the right support. A holistic approach may help reduce the dominance of pain in daily life by addressing both the body and the brain’s processing of pain signals.

Patients looking for chronic pain support in York may consider seeing Dr Karthikeyan Dhandapani, a pain specialist who offers comprehensive assessment and individualised holistic management plans. His approach may include interventional treatments such as nerve blocks, physiotherapy guidance and pain reprocessing techniques.