Dr Ahmed Salama
Consultant in Pain Medicine
A holistic approach to chronic pain: treating the whole person, not just the site of pain.
Dr Ahmed Salama is a Consultant in Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine offering evidence-based assessment and image-guided treatment, including epidurals, facet joint and joint injections, and radiofrequency denervation, for patients across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. Appointments are usually available within 2–5 days.
Image-guided injections and radiofrequency denervation for back, neck and joint pain. Not everyone is suitable for every treatment, and results vary.
Dr Ahmed Salama is a highly experienced Consultant in Anaesthesia and Chronic Pain Medicine, with a strong background in managing complex pain conditions and delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. His expertise spans a wide range of interventional and multidisciplinary approaches, ensuring evidence-based treatment strategies tailored to each patient.
He currently serves as Joint Clinical Lead of the Pain Management Service at one of the largest pain services in the West Midlands, where he leads on service development, clinical governance and quality improvement, alongside seeing 900–1200 patients a year.
Dr Salama's procedural expertise includes radiofrequency ablation, epidural and facet joint injections, sympathetic and peripheral nerve blocks, and ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided interventions. He believes strongly in a holistic, multidisciplinary approach — working closely with physiotherapists, psychologists and other specialists to optimise outcomes for every patient.
Alongside his clinical work, he is actively involved in medical education, regularly teaching and mentoring junior doctors, pain fellows and anaesthetic trainees, and has contributed to quality improvement initiatives in pain medicine.
Dr Salama provides specialist assessment and treatment for a wide range of acute and chronic pain conditions — combining thorough clinical assessment, examination and investigation where needed with a full range of interventions, from medication and lifestyle advice and referral for physiotherapy through to targeted injections and nerve blocks.
Occipital NeuralgiaOccipital neuralgia causes sharp, shooting or throbbing pain starting at the base of the skull that can spread over the scalp towards the forehead or behind the eyes, from irritation of the occipital nerves, and the scalp is often tender to touch.
A greater occipital nerve block to confirm the source and provide relief, with radiofrequency denervation considered for recurrent or resistant headaches. Book a consultation →
Trigeminal NeuralgiaA disorder of the trigeminal (fifth cranial) nerve causing sudden, severe, shock-like pain on one side of the face — often in the cheek, jaw, lips or gums — lasting seconds to minutes and sometimes coming in clusters. Everyday actions such as chewing, talking, brushing teeth or a light touch to the face can trigger an attack.
Medication optimisation alongside a pterygopalatine block or other targeted trigeminal nerve block to calm the irritated nerve. Book a consultation →
Neck PainNeck pain can come from degenerative changes in the cervical spine, whiplash injury, poor posture or muscular tension, and often spreads into the shoulders, between the shoulder blades or up into the head.
Cervical facet medial branch block with radiofrequency denervation where the facet joints are the source, or cervical trigger point injections for muscular pain. More about neck pain →
Shoulder Joint PainShoulder pain is commonly caused by osteoarthritis, rotator cuff impingement, or frozen shoulder, where the joint capsule tightens and inflames, progressively limiting movement before slowly recovering.
A glenohumeral joint injection, subacromial bursa injection or suprascapular nerve block, depending on which structure is driving the pain. More about shoulder pain →
Thoracic PainThoracic pain is pain felt in the mid-back, often arising from the thoracic facet joints, degenerative changes or a previous injury, and can radiate around the chest wall or between the shoulder blades, sometimes made worse by twisting or prolonged sitting.
Thoracic facet joint medial branch blocks to confirm the source of pain, followed by radiofrequency denervation if the blocks give good relief, to calm the affected joints for a longer period. Book a consultation →
Low Back PainMost low back pain comes from a simple strain or sprain and settles within weeks, but persistent pain can be driven by facet joint wear, disc degeneration or sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
Lumbar facet medial branch block with radiofrequency denervation, or an epidural steroid injection, depending on the source identified on assessment. More about low back pain →
SciaticaSciatica is pain that radiates from the lower back down the leg, caused by irritation or compression of a sciatic nerve root, and usually improves over time but can be severe while it lasts.
A transforaminal or caudal epidural steroid injection, or a nerve root sleeve injection with pulsed radiofrequency, to settle the irritated nerve root. More about sciatica →
Pelvic Pain SyndromesChronic pelvic pain is discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvis lasting more than six months, which can affect daily activity, sleep and quality of life and usually has more than one contributing cause.
A pudendal nerve block, ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block, ganglion impar block or hypogastric plexus block, chosen according to where the pain originates. Book a consultation →
CoccydyniaCoccydynia is pain and tenderness in and around the coccyx (tailbone), often worse when sitting, standing up from sitting or leaning back, and can follow a fall or childbirth or develop without a clear cause.
A ganglion impar block, injected at the front of the coccyx to calm the nerves supplying the tailbone and surrounding area. Book a consultation →
Hip PainHip pain is most often due to osteoarthritis, where the joint cartilage wears down causing pain, stiffness and a grinding sensation, or to greater trochanteric bursitis affecting the outer hip.
A hip joint injection, hip articular branch block or radiofrequency ablation, or a trochanteric bursa injection. More about hip pain →
Knee PainKnee pain frequently stems from osteoarthritis, causing pain, morning stiffness and swelling that typically eases with gentle movement, or from pain persisting after knee surgery.
A knee joint injection, or a genicular nerve block with radiofrequency ablation for longer-lasting relief. More about knee pain →
Ankle PainAnkle pain is commonly due to osteoarthritis, where the joint cartilage wears down causing pain, swelling and stiffness that develop gradually, or to ligament injury or nerve irritation.
A tibiotalar joint injection or a targeted ankle nerve block. Book a consultation →
Plantar FasciitisPlantar fasciitis causes sharp or burning heel pain that is typically worst with the first steps in the morning, easing with walking but sometimes returning after long periods on your feet.
A plantar fascia injection to settle the inflamed tissue. Book a consultation →
Peripheral NeuropathyPeripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves carrying signals to and from the brain, most often affecting the feet or hands with numbness, pins and needles, burning pain or weakness.
Targeted peripheral nerve blocks, alongside medication review and support for more widespread nerve pain. More about peripheral and diabetic neuropathy →
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)CRPS is a poorly understood condition causing persistent burning or stabbing pain in an arm or leg after an injury, often with skin sensitivity, swelling and stiffness that can outlast the original injury.
Sympathetic nerve blocks (a stellate ganglion block for the arm or a lumbar sympathetic block for the leg), alongside referral for multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Book a consultation →
Post-Surgical PainPain that persists for months after an operation, beyond the normal healing time, in the area of the surgery.
A nerve block targeted to the surgical site — such as an intercostal nerve block, TAP block, rectus sheath block or ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block — depending on where the surgery was performed. Book a consultation →
Widespread Body PainPain affecting multiple areas of the body at once can reflect a sensitised nervous system rather than a single injury, and needs assessment to rule out other causes before a plan is agreed.
Trigger point injections where a specific pain generator is found, alongside medication review and referral for physiotherapy or pain-management support. Book a consultation →
FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia is a condition in which the nervous system amplifies pain signals, causing widespread pain, extreme tiredness, poor sleep and difficulty concentrating ("fibro fog").
Trigger point injections where a focal pain generator is identified, combined with medication optimisation and referral for pacing and rehabilitation support. Book a consultation →
Most patients are seen within 2–5 days of getting in touch. Appointments are available across Birmingham, Solihull and the West Midlands, including an evening clinic and a monthly Saturday clinic.
A GP referral is welcomed and can help share your medical history, but it is not always required. If you are using private medical insurance, your insurer may ask for one and for an authorisation code before your appointment.
Dr Salama sees patients at The Priory Hospital (Edgbaston, Birmingham), Spire Parkway Hospital (Solihull), Stourside Hospital (Stourbridge), Heath Lodge Clinic (Knowle, Solihull), Droitwich Spa Hospital (Worcestershire) and Sutton Medical Consulting Centre (Sutton Coldfield).
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the skin and deeper tissue before the injection, so many patients describe pressure rather than significant pain, although experiences vary. Ultrasound or X-ray guidance is used to help place the needle correctly and keep the procedure as comfortable as possible. Most injections take 15–30 minutes and you go home the same day.
The local anaesthetic can ease leg pain within hours, but this usually wears off the same day. The steroid typically starts to work within a few days and may take up to two weeks to reach its full effect. How much relief you get and how long it lasts varies from person to person, and an epidural does not work for everyone.
When it works, radiofrequency denervation commonly eases pain for several months to a year or more, because the treated nerves slowly regrow. If the pain returns, the treatment can often be repeated. Results vary, and suitability is usually confirmed first with a diagnostic nerve block.
Yes. Dr Salama is recognised by most major private medical insurers and is Bupa Fee Assured. Check with your insurer whether you need pre-authorisation. Self-funding patients are also welcome, and consultation fees are published on this site.
Chronic pain is rarely one-dimensional: physical, psychological and lifestyle factors all interact and influence how pain is experienced. Dr Salama takes a biopsychosocial approach, combining interventional treatment where appropriate with medication review and, where helpful, referral for physiotherapy or psychological support.
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Most patients are seen within 2–5 days. GP referral is welcomed but not always required — please get in touch to discuss your options.
Dr Salama welcomes patients with private medical insurance and is Bupa Fee Assured. He is recognised by most major private medical insurers.
We operate in 6 locations across Birmingham, the West Midlands and Worcestershire — choose whichever is most convenient for you.
1 Damson Parkway, Solihull, West Midlands B91 2PP
Bradley Road, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 1UX · Part of Ramsay Health Care
1357 Warwick Road, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands B93 9LW
St Andrews Road, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire WR9 8DN
233 Tamworth Road, Sutton Coldfield B75 6DX
Ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided injections, nerve blocks and radiofrequency procedures, tailored to your diagnosis.