As musculoskeletal-trained physiotherapists, we have a special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of acute neck and back pain.
Our process begins with a full assessment to determine the exact cause of your pain. We provide hands-on therapy, coupled with education and reassurance, to ensure you understand your condition and the steps towards recovery.
Additionally, we design exercises specifically aimed at pain relief to restore function as quickly as possible. Our approach to acute back and neck pain management is comprehensive, focusing on rapid interventions that integrate ergonomic adjustments, targeted exercises, and corrective strategies for posture and positioning.
This acute focus is essential for preventing the progression to chronic pain, which can lead to prolonged disability and higher rates of repeat surgeries, trends seen increasingly in South Africa. Early intervention is crucial in effectively mitigating these issues and enhancing patient outcomes.
If chronic back or neck pain is affecting your ability to work and live normally, BNAP may cover your treatment without touching your day-to-day medical savings. Delivered in partnership with Workability, this multidisciplinary programme pairs a doctor, physiotherapist and occupational therapist around one goal: restoring function and getting you back to everyday life with confidence.
A thorough assessment by a physiotherapist, doctor and occupational therapist working together.
Structured exercise, goal-setting and pacing, tailored to your individual risk category and needs.
Education and coaching in personal pain management strategies, backed by an active-rehabilitation approach shown to get the best results.
You may qualify for BNAP if you’re a member of GEMS, Polmed, Bestmed, Profmed or other Universal medical schemes. The programme requires authorisation from your medical aid before starting. We can help, or you can speak to your fund directly.
The Discovery Spinal Conservative Care Programme provides qualifying members with structured, conservative care for back or neck pain. It focuses on effective non-surgical management of spinal pain, aiming for good outcomes while potentially reducing the need for unnecessary spinal surgery.
There are three ways in: following a recent hospital admission, or a request for a spinal-related admission, for back or neck pain; by referral from a Discovery Spinal Network surgeon; or by referral from a Discovery Spinal Network GP.
We assess your condition, pain, movement and function, and how it affects your daily life, then submit the clinical information to Discovery through HealthID. Referral does not automatically guarantee enrolment.
Once enrolled you receive up to eight consultations, including your initial assessment, over a period of up to 24 weeks, tailored to your condition, your goals and your progress.
Access to and funding of the programme are subject to Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s clinical entry criteria, programme rules and the benefits on your health plan. It is available on all plans except the Essential Smart, Essential Dynamic Smart, Active Smart and KeyCare plans. Members qualify once a year, and anyone who has had spinal surgery in the past 12 months does not qualify.
Read Discovery’s programme information