Dealing with back and
neck pain
Back pain is a common problem – 80% of us will experience an episode at some point in our lives.
When you have a pain in the neck or back
Back pain, mainly in the lower back, followed by pain
in the neck and shoulder, is among the most prevalent
long-term conditions. It is associated with many factors
that vary from person to person but can be caused by
an injury, a disc or joint problem, an irritated nerve root
or poor posture. The pain might be acute or chronic but
living with either, can be debilitating.
Pain is considered chronic if it lasts more than three
months and exceeds the body’s natural healing
process. Either way, failing to get pain relief after
different treatments is very frustrating. It can lead to
depression, loss of working hours, extensive treatments
and often sufferers lose hope and resort to popping
painkillers or going for surgery. Both of which can be
counterproductive.
Surgery not the only option
Many people assume that surgery is their only option
to treat severe back pain. However, according to Dr
Jacques Gilau, clinical head for Dr JJ Gilau and Partners
utilising Documentation Based Care (DBC) technology
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in South Africa, ‘only a small percentage of people with
back pain require surgery.’ DBC uses effective methods
of physiotherapy and musculoskeletal rehabilitation for
back and neck pain. Usually a 6-week interdisciplinary
programme that includes treatment by doctors,
physiotherapists and biokineticists.
Bonitas Medical Fund has partnered with DBC so that its
members have access to a back and neck programme of
up to six weeks, to either prevent surgery or, when it is
unavoidable, prepare and strengthen ahead of surgery
and rehabilitation afterwards.
Lee Callakoppen, Principal Officer of says, ‘We believe in
the preventative management of chronic back and neck
pain and since partnering with DBC have had excellent
feedback. Members are staying active, developing a
better understanding about their pain, identifying the
factors involved in their pain and living regular lives.’
According to the DBC statistics the success rate for
treating chronic back and neck pain to avoid surgery is
91% at two years follow-up.
We chat to the team behind DBC and get the latest on
the DBC programme and how it is helping members.