Neck pain can be debilitating, but surgery is rarely the first - or best - option.
At The Pain Collective, we focus on non-surgical, evidence-based treatments that address the root cause of your pain through a multi-disciplinary, highly personalised approach.
What Are Non-Surgical Treatments?
Non-surgical treatment options form the first line of defence in managing neck pain. They are designed to reduce discomfort, restore function, and improve quality of life - without the risks or recovery time associated with surgery. At The Pain Collective, we tailor your care plan through collaboration between doctors, therapists, and pain specialists to ensure you get the most effective treatment for your condition.
Conditions We Treat Non-Surgically
We offer non-surgical management for a wide range of neck-related conditions, including:
Herniated or bulging cervical discs (slipped disc)
Facet joint dysfunction (arthritis-related neck pain)
Whiplash injuries with or without associated vertigo
Muscle strain and soft tissue injuries (myofascial pain)
Postural and ergonomic pain
Nerve root irritation (cervical radiculopathy)
Degenerative disc disease (spondylosis)
Neck-related headaches (cervicogenic headache)
Our Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Interventional Procedures
Cervical Nerve Blocks & Facet Joint Injections
Targeted injections that deliver medication directly to the source of pain, reducing inflammation and interrupting pain signals.
Radiofrequency Neuromodulation
A minimally invasive technique that uses radiofrequency energy to deactivate pain-transmitting nerves around the cervical spine - offering longer-term relief for all the conditions listed above.
Multidisciplinary Therapies
Physiotherapy & Exercise Rehabilitation
Supervised programs aimed at restoring strength, improving range of motion, and correcting postural imbalances that contribute to chronic neck pain.
Medication Management
We use a conservative approach to medications, including NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, and neuropathic agents, only when clinically necessary and closely monitored. As a Collective, we do not prescribe to using polypharmacy to treat chronic pain and we prescribe opioids only in exceptional cases.
Postural Correction & Ergonomics
We assess how your posture and environment affect your pain and help you adjust
workstations, sleeping positions, and movement patterns.
Lifestyle & Movement Coaching
Our team empowers you to make long-term changes through education on daily movement, body awareness, stress management, and sustainable habits. A walking program is essential in the management of chronic inflammation and pain.
Anti-inflammatory diet
At the Pain Collective we believe that the ‘medicine is in the food’. What and when and how you consume your nutrients are essential in combatting all chronic diseases. We advise that patients follow a non-inflammatory Mediterranean diet, which has been shown by research to be essential in managing chronic inflammation and chronic pain.
Dietary supplementation
Magnesium, Omega 3, Vit D3 and other supplements are also crucial in the suppression of chronic pain and inflammation. At the Pain Collective we use natural substances such as Curcumin, Ashwagandha, and many more to support our patients in their battle with chronic pain.
Why Choose Non-Surgical Care?
The management is minimally invasive with little or no downtime.
It requires no general anaesthesia or hospital stays.
We develop tailored care plans based on your pain’s true origin.
It is first-line treatment recommended in most evidence-based guidelines.
It allows for continued reassessment and adaptation.
At The Pain Collective, we treat your pain - and the person behind the pain - with respect, empathy, and precision.
Is Non-Surgical Care Right for You?
It is exceptionally rare that neck pain requires an operation. Our interventional pain doctors and therapists are experts in evaluating your condition thoroughly, identifying the true drivers of your pain, and recommending only the most appropriate and conservative treatment options first.
Whether you're just beginning your journey or seeking alternatives to surgery already recommended to you, we’re here to help.
Patient Success Stories
“After struggling with chronic neck pain for over a year, I was referred to The Pain Collective. Within weeks of starting their treatment plan—without surgery—I finally had relief. The team listened, understood, and walked the journey with me.”
Lisa M., 47, Gqeberha