Best Chronic Pain Doctors in Turkey for Australians

The doctor is an experienced neurologist with over 7 years of experience, having worked in both Turkey and Belgium. Specializing in memory disorders, functional neuroimaging, epilepsy, electroencephalography, headaches, and sleep disorders, the doctor has contributed numerous research papers to national and international scientific journals.

Associate Professor Mehmet Tonge is a specialist neurosurgeon at Medipol University, focusing on stereotactic and functional neurosurgery for chronic pain management.

• Completed a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) fellowship at Maastricht University in the Netherlands
• Specialises in Gamma Knife radiosurgery to treat pain and movement disorders without invasive surgery
• Uses MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) to target pain pathways with heat-based precision
• Published 30+ international papers and contributed to multiple textbooks on functional neurosurgery
• Member of the European and World Societies for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery

Associate Professor Ozdogan Selcuk is a neurosurgery specialist who completed a prestigious clinical fellowship under world-leading experts at Yeditepe University Hospital.

• Specialises in neurovascular and spinal surgery to address complex nerve-related pain
• Holds a PhD in Molecular Medicine, bringing deep scientific insight to chronic cases
• Completed specialist training at Saint Louis University in the United States
• Member of the Turkish Spine Association and the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies
• Former Chief Assistant at major Turkish training and research hospitals

Dr Gulumser Kiziltas Tokmak holds a Master's degree in Electrophysiology from Istanbul University – one of Turkey's oldest and most prestigious medical institutions.

• Specialises in headache and vertigo management for patients with chronic symptoms
• Uses EMG (electromyography) to assess nerve and muscle health with precision
• Performs EEG (electroencephalogram) testing to monitor brain electrical activity
• Experienced in treating complex cases at leading Turkish medical centres
• Specialised training focuses on neurological causes of persistent pain

Professor Cahit Kural has performed over 1,110 successful neurological treatments at Lokman Hekim University Ankara Hospital.

• Specialises in neurosurgery for nerve-related discomfort and spinal issues
• Practises at a major Turkish university hospital – a hub for clinical research
• Focuses on surgical interventions to alleviate long-term physical distress
• Consults on complex cases involving the central and peripheral nervous systems

General Information and Presentation

He completed his primary education at Şenlikköy Primary School and his secondary education at the Istek Foundation Florya Bilge Kagan High School. He graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 2001. He completed his specialist education in Istanbul Medical Faculty Neurology Department in 2006. In 2006 he worked at the Neurology Clinic and the PharmaZentrum Research Center of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Basel, Switzerland. Between 2007 and 2011, Bakırköy Prof. Dr. He worked at Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital in the 3rd Neurology Clinic and in the Dementia and Movement Disorders policlinics. Since October 2011, he has been working at Istanbul University of Science, Faculty of Medicine, Neurology, USA.

Experience

İstanbul Bilim University Faculty of Medicine Neurology, 

Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital 

Kadıköy Florence Nightingale Hospital Neurology Clinics, 

Gayrettepe Metropolitan Florence Nightingale Hospital PET department.

The doctor is a Nuclear Medicine Specialist with 39 years of experience, currently practicing at Medipol Mega University Hospital. The doctor has held professorships at Gazi University and served as the Director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Ankara Order Laboratory. The doctor is a member of both the Turkey Association of Nuclear Medicine and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine. The doctor graduated from Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine in 1984 and became a Nuclear Medicine Specialist at Ankara University in 1992.

Assoc. Prof.  Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz graduated from Hacettepe University in 2000 as a Medical Doctor.  She completed her specialty training in the Department of Neurology at Ankara University in 2006.

She started her compulsory service in Mardin Nusaybin State Hospital in 2007.  Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz continued her duty in Gaziantep 27 December State Hospital in 2008.  She worked as a neurologist at Biophysis Nilüfer Medical Center and Ali Osman Sönmez Oncology Hospital in Bursa between 2010-2011, and at Istanbul Universal Aksaray Hospital between 2011-2012. From October 2012, she started to work as a Doctor Lecturer in Istanbul Medipol University Neurology Department.  Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz received the title of associate professor in 2021.  In 2015, she worked as an Honorary Observer in Parkinson's Disease and Deep Brain Stimulation (Neuromodulation) at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology in London.  She took part in many training programs on Deep Brain Stimulation (Neuromodulation) in Turkey and abroad between 2013-2022.

Regarding her speciality in Parkinson's disease and movement disorders, she has 5 Tubitak projects, a 2-chapter book , 30 clinical researches and 80 reports presented in domestic and abroad. Assoc. Prof. Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, who is still working within the staff of Medipol University, managed the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Unit of the Department of Neurology during her working time and plans Deep Brain Stimulation therapy applications with the neurosurgical team.

Since September 2018, she has been working as a coordinator for student education in the 5th semester of Neurology. As of December 2022, she has developed treatment plans for patients at Medipol University Istanbul Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center (PARMER) and provides the most appropriate personal medical follow-up and treatment support for each patient.

PUBLICATIONS

1-Yilmaz N, Yigit A, Akbostanci MC. Clozapine induced epilepsy. Revue Neurologique 2004, Nov;160/11:1093.

2-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Nursel Aydın. Sıcak Su Epilepsili Bir Olgu. Türkiye Klinikleri Nöroloji Dergisi 2004/Cilt2/Sayı 2.

3-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Nursel Aydın. Refleks Epilepsiler. Türkiye Klinikleri Nöroloji Dergisi 2004/Cilt2/Sayı 2.

4-Mine Hayriye Sorgun, Bilge Koçer, Funda Kaplan, Nesrin Yılmaz, Nezih Yücemen, Canan Yücesan. Multipl Sklerozda Kraniyal Nöropati. Turk Norol Derg 2011;17:137-142.

5-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Gökçen Duymaz, Mehmet Akif Yaşar. Parkinson Hastalığı Olan Bir Olguda Malign Sendrom. Turk Norol Derg 2012:18;123-125.

6-Yilmaz NH, Akbostanci MC, Oto A, Aykac O. Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in Ankara, Turkey: an analysis of diagnostic criteria and awareness. Acta Neurol Belg 2012 Oct 31. [Epub ahead of print].

7-Yılmaz NH, Bingol AP. Sensitivity and specificity of Ankara University Cerebral Dominance Inventory in comparison with the Wada test. Acta Neurol Belg 2013 Jun 6 [Epub ahead of print].

8-Sema Demirci, Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Efsun Şenocak, Fatih Han Bölükbaşı. Pons Kavernomu: Kranial Manyetik Rezonans Görüntüleme Bulguları. Turk Norol Derg 2012:19:72.

9-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Sinem Atik Güngör, Taflan Sahlepçi. Küçük hücreli akciğer kanseri tedavisinde cisplatin kullanımı sırasında gelişen akut iskemik inme: olgu sunumu. J Kartal TR. Baskıdaki Makaleler: KEAH-26937.

POSTERLER:

-Serebral venöz tromboz ve bruselloz Birlikteliği; Olgu Sunumu (42. Ulusal Nöroloji Kongresi-Antalya 2006)

-Waldenström makroglobulinemisine eşlik eden epileptik nöbetler ve nonkonvülsif status epileptikus (42. Ulusal Nöroloji Kongresi-Antalya 2006)

-Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome in Ankara, Turkey (16. Uluslararası Parkinson ve Hareket Bozuklukları Kongresi-Dublin 2012).

-Konjenital Miyastenik Sendrom (29. Ulusal Nörofizyoloji EEG-EMG Kongresi- Antalya 2013).

-Beşinci haftada duyusal iletimleri normal olan bir enjeksiyon nöropatisi olgusu (29. Ulusal Nörofizyoloji EEG-EMG Kongresi- Antalya 2013).

-Olgu sunumu: Mononöritis mültipleks ve lepra (29. Ulusal Nörofizyoloji EEG-EMG Kongresi- Antalya 2013).

-İdyopatik Parkinson Hastalığı’nda hızlanmış unutma ve uyku kalitesi (10. Ulusal Parkinson ve Hareket Bozuklukları Kongresi-Antalya 2013).

-Hiperglisemiye bağlı hemikore ve bazal gangliyon hiperintensitesi: Olgu sunumu (10. Ulusal Parkinson ve Hareket Bozuklukları Kongresi-Antalya 2013).

The doctor is a Professor of Neurology with a specialization in demyelinating processes and Parkinson's disease. With extensive expertise in these areas, the doctor has contributed significantly to the understanding and treatment of neurological disorders. The doctor is recognized for advancing research and clinical practices in neurology, focusing on improving patient outcomes through innovative approaches.

Professor Sultan Tarlaci is a leading neurologist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital, specialising in complex neurological conditions and pain management.

• Treats chronic migraines and severe headaches using targeted neurological protocols
• Manages nerve-related pain and fainting disorders with advanced diagnostic tools
• Authored several textbooks and chapters on neurosciences and brain diseases
• Received multiple awards for his contributions to clinical neurology
• Completed specialist residency training at the Ege University School of Medicine

Professor Tahsin Ali Zirh is a neurosurgery specialist who completed advanced fellowships at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital. He leads the movement disorder and pain centre at Medipol Mega University Hospital.

• Specialises in neuromodulation and functional neurosurgery for severe chronic pain
• Former Research Fellow at Toronto Western Hospital focusing on neurosurgical techniques
• Trained at the University of Virginia and University of Washington
• Member of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies
• Expertise in neurophysiology for precisely mapping pain pathways

Dr Inci Emekli specialises in managing chronic pain linked to neurological and movement disorders at the prestigious Medipol University PARMER centre.

• Trained at Michigan State University in the Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology
• Board-certified specialist and Fellow of the Turkish Board of Neurology
• Member of the European Academy of Neurology, staying updated on global treatment protocols
• Published research on carpal tunnel syndrome and neuropathic pain management
• Focuses on diagnosing complex inherited neurological diseases through the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine

Associate Professor Buse Cagla Ari is a senior neurologist at the Medipol Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center, specialising in chronic headache and nerve-based pain management.

• Performs nerve blockages and trigger point injections to provide targeted relief for chronic headache and nerve pain
• Expert in botulinum toxin (Botox) applications for managing complex migraine and movement-related pain
• Member of the Global Migraine and Pain Society and the International Headache Society
• Board member of the Neurorehabilitation Working Group for the Turkish Neurological Association

Dr Ali Osman Mucuoglu is a skilled neurosurgeon at Atlas University Hospital, specialising in spinal and functional neurosurgery to manage chronic pain.

• Completed advanced spinal surgery training focused on complex back and neck pain
• Trained in functional neurosurgery through the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies
• Uses minimally invasive techniques to treat nerve compression and spinal tumours
• Active member of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society and EANS
• Published research on treating cysts and schwannomas affecting the spine

Dr Fatma Gulhan Sahbaz is a specialist neurologist at Medicalpoint International Hospital who focuses on neurologically driven pain management.

• Performs nerve blocks – injections that interrupt pain signals to provide relief for persistent headaches
• Administers botulinum toxin for chronic migraine and muscular pain conditions
• Member of the International Headache Society and European Academy of Neurology
• Trained at Kartal Dr Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, a major Turkish clinical centre

Associate Professor Ebru Altindag is an award-winning neurologist and neurophysiologist at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. She specialises in complex nerve-related pain and epileptic semiology.

• Holds a subspecialty in clinical neurophysiology for advanced nerve and muscle testing
• Awarded by the Turkish Neurology Association for research into subclinical nerve involvement
• Uses video-EEG monitoring to precisely diagnose seizures mimicking chronic neurological pain
• Member of the Association of Child Neurology and Neuroimmunology
• Expert in motor unit count methods to assess nerve damage and axon loss

Dr Ulvi Samadzade manages complex chronic pain cases at Medicalpoint International Hospital, with a high degree of focus on neurological conditions.

• Treats chronic migraines using botulinum toxin injections to block pain signals
• Administers migraine vaccines for patients with regular, severe headaches
• Manages peripheral nervous system disorders that cause chronic nerve pain
• Member of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
• Trained at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital's neurology department

Professor Yasef Özsarfati is a leading neurologist at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital with US-based training in complex neurological disorders.

• Specialises in managing chronic headaches and treatment-resistant migraine pain
• Completed clinical research at the University of Florida focusing on behavioural neurology
• Former Associate Professor at Istanbul University, one of Turkey's premier medical institutions
• Expertise in dementia and epilepsy-related neurological care
• Extensive background at JCI-accredited Florence Nightingale Hospital since 2013