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Usual Questions About Online Pain Consultations

Author: Dr. Zeljko Kojadinovic, MD, PhD – Neurosurgeon and Pain Management Specialist

Last medically reviewed: November 10, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of a video consultation?

The goal is to stop the pain. To effectively treat the pain, we must first identify the exact structure causing it and the type of pathological process involved. Only then can an appropriate combination of medications be prescribed, and other types of treatment recommended if needed.

Can a doctor really figure out what’s causing my pain and prescribe treatment just through a video call?

Yes — and this is becoming more common thanks to easy video communication (also known as a virtual visit, video visit, or telehealth appointment). These consultations are especially helpful for people with persistent pain that local doctors haven’t been able to resolve.

The key isn’t to be physically examined in a clinic, but to talk to a specialist who understands the anatomy of your pain. He knows what are the possible causes of the pain in any region and how to determine them. During the call, you perform simple movement and pressure tests under my guidance to see what increases or reduces the pain. This functional evaluation has the same diagnostic accuracy as an in-person physical exam.

That’s why many persistent pain conditions are now resolved through online consultation with such a specialist.

Is it possible to help someone who’s had pain for years despite persistent treatment?

Yes. In most cases, chronic pain persists not because it is untreatable, but because the real source was never identified.

Do you use artificial intelligence (AI) in the consultation process?

Yes. Many of the patients who contact us have complex problems. These cases often require reviewing medical literature or consulting other professionals. Today, this can be done more efficiently using artificial intelligence (AI), which has access to vast amounts of medical knowledge. The key is not just to have access to AI, but to know how to ask the right questions and how to structure the case in a way that leads to useful analysis and real solutions. AI is used only as a tool to speed up analysis and research. All medical decisions are made by the doctor.

Is a modern MRI scan enough to clearly show the cause of pain?

Often, it’s not. In more than 50% of cases, imaging does not clearly show the source of pain. Even when the scans reveal changes, those changes often turn out not to be the actual cause. That’s especially true for spinal degeneration or disc herniation, which are frequently — and mistakenly — blamed for all types of back pain. The same applies to other areas of the body as well.

Is making a video call complicated?

No, it’s simple. You can use WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom — just like in any regular call. If you’re unfamiliar with these platforms, we’ll send you a secure video link. One click on a link is enough — no installation required. Even elderly patients living alone, who aren’t tech-savvy, manage just fine.

How does the consultation process start? Should I send all my medical records right away?

No. First, send us a brief explanation of your problem via WhatsApp, email, or Facebook Messenger. If we believe we can help, we’ll contact you with a treatment plan, let you know the consultation conditions, and explain what information and documents we need from you.

How do I send medical records and documents?

Easily. You can send them via email, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger. If you need to send large MRI or CT scan files (like those on a CD), we’ll explain how — it’s simple and fully supported.

Will there be enough time during the consultation to review my records and fully explain my problems?

Yes. The doctor will review all your documents and your problem description before the video call. That way, the consultation starts with full understanding of your case. The call usually lasts about 30 minutes — enough for you to explain what matters to you, and for the doctor to ask key questions and give an expert opinion. After the call, you can ask follow-up questions. The doctor writes a full report only after the conversation ends.

Can I reach out to the doctor again if I have questions later on, especially about the medication?

Yes. For two weeks after the consultation, you can send short follow-up questions via WhatsApp, email, or Facebook Messenger, and the doctor will respond.

Is payment secure?

Yes. Payment is accepted via PayPal or direct bank transfer (IBAN). You can pay with your PayPal balance or by card through PayPal’s secure checkout — no PayPal account is required. Invoices are issued in USD when requested. No third-party payments, no overpayments, no refunds to other accounts — this protects both sides.

Do I need MRI/CT before the consultation?

Not necessarily. If imaging is needed, you’ll receive precise instructions (what to scan and which sequences), so you avoid unnecessary tests.

What Makes This Consultation Different?

Many patients are told their pain is caused by “degenerative changes” seen on imaging — but the real source of pain is often missed. My approach starts from the assumption that there is always a specific pain point — whether in a muscle, joint, ligament, or nerve — and that this source can often be identified even when MRI or CT scans appear normal.

During the video consultation, I review your medical documentation, ask highly targeted questions, and guide you through simple motion and pressure tests that you perform yourself. This helps locate the exact anatomical source of your pain — by reproducing or relieving it through specific actions.

This functional evaluation has the same diagnostic value as an in-person physical exam. Effective treatment begins only after the true cause of pain is identified — and that starts with a conversation guided by a physician who understands pain anatomy and knows exactly what structures can generate pain in your case.

This approach can lead to improvement even in long-term, chronic pain — often reducing the need for medications, immobilization, or unnecessary surgeries.

Start Your Telehealth Consultation with a Pain Specialist

If your pain treatment has failed or you’re unsure what to do next — don’t wait. A detailed telehealth consultation can help identify the exact cause of your pain, even if previous therapies didn’t work.

  • ✔ First, send a short message describing your problem
  • ✔ You’ll receive a reply within 24 hours if and how we can help — including the consultation cost and a suggested time
  • ✔ Only then, you can send your medical documentation
  • ✔ The video consultation is followed by a written report and follow-up questions (up to 10 days)
  • ✔ Secure payment by credit card, PayPal invoice (USD), or bank transfer.
Consultation fees typically range from $180–250, depending on the complexity of your case.
This is within the usual range for specialist telehealth consultations worldwide. Thousands of patients worldwide already use telehealth consultations for second opinions — it’s safe, accepted, and effective.

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Online pain consultation in detail

Schematic explanation of the video consultation

See the page “Possible Reasons for Poor Pain Treatment Effectiveness” for an explanation of why conventional chronic pain treatments often fail—and what we do differently.

Everything said on this page applies to most pain syndromes, such as trigeminal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia, pudendal neuralgia, neck pain, cervical injury,  low back pain,  lumbar disc herniation, pain after lumbar discectomy, pain in interstitial cystitis, pain that mimics organ disease, postsurgical pain, Tarlov cyst pain, fibomyalgia, polyneuropathy, etc.

English homepage – overview of neurosurgery and pain consultation

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