PAIN

PAIN The Pain Collective is South Africa’s leading network of pain clinics, helping people live beyond chronic pain.

Our doctors and therapists work together to provide advanced, evidence-based treatments—without surgery.

💡 Myth Monday #7Myth: If Treatment Doesn't Remove My Pain, It Has FailedWhen you're living with persistent pain, it's e...
31/08/2026

💡 Myth Monday #7

Myth: If Treatment Doesn't Remove My Pain, It Has Failed

When you're living with persistent pain, it's easy to think that success means making the pain disappear completely. But pain intensity isn't the only measure of progress.

Maybe you're sleeping better, walking further, returning to work, playing with your children, or getting back to the activities you enjoy.

Those changes matter.

Effective pain management isn't always about chasing a zero on the pain scale. It's about helping you function better, build confidence, and get more of your life back. 🌱

Sometimes progress looks less like “my pain is gone” and more like “I'm doing things I couldn't do before.”

💡 Friday Function Tip #5: Focus on What You Can InfluenceEver find yourself focusing on the things you can't control wh...
28/08/2026

💡 Friday Function Tip #5: Focus on What You Can Influence

Ever find yourself focusing on the things you can't control when you're living with persistent pain?

Pain isn't always something you can switch off—and constantly worrying about when it will improve can sometimes leave you feeling stuck.

Instead, try focusing on the things that are within your influence.

You may not be able to control exactly how your pain feels each day, but you can work on getting enough sleep 😴, finding ways to keep moving 🚶‍♀️, managing stress 🧘‍♀️, eating well 🥗, and building healthy routines that support your overall wellbeing.

These things won't necessarily make your pain disappear, but they can help you feel more prepared and in control of how you respond to it.

You can't always control the pain—but you can influence how you live alongside it. 🌱

When facial pain becomes more than “just a toothache” 🥴💢Pain in the face can be surprisingly complex.It may be felt arou...
26/08/2026

When facial pain becomes more than “just a toothache” 🥴💢

Pain in the face can be surprisingly complex.

It may be felt around the cheek, jaw, teeth, eye, forehead or scalp — and sometimes

persists even after dental examinations or scans have failed to identify an obvious cause.

Why?

The face contains an extensive network of highly sensitive nerves. The trigeminal nerve, in particular, carries sensation from much of the face to the brain.

When this nerve or other parts of the pain system become irritated or sensitised, pain may feel:

-Electric
-Shock-like
-Burning
-Sharp or stabbing
-Aching or constantly sensitive

Some people experience brief attacks triggered by things as ordinary as touching the face, brushing their teeth, eating or feeling cold air. Others develop a more persistent facial pain that is difficult to localise.

Importantly, facial pain is not one condition.

Dental problems, temporomandibular joint disorders, headaches, nerve-related pain and other medical conditions can produce similar symptoms — which is why an appropriate assessment matters.

At The Pain Collective, chronic pain is approached from more than one direction. Depending on the cause and individual circumstances, management may involve education, medication, rehabilitation and self-management strategies, with targeted pain procedures considered for certain facial pain syndromes when appropriate.

The goal is not simply to “switch off” pain, but to understand what is driving it and develop a plan that helps reduce its impact on everyday life.

If facial pain has persisted despite treatment, it may be worth discussing whether a dedicated pain assessment could help.

💡 Myth Monday #6"Myth: Strong Pain Medication Is the Only Real Treatment"When pain is severe, it can be tempting to thi...
24/08/2026

💡 Myth Monday #6

"Myth: Strong Pain Medication Is the Only Real Treatment"

When pain is severe, it can be tempting to think that stronger medication must be the answer. 💊

But pain management is about far more than tablets, injections, or procedures.

Education, movement and exercise, better sleep, stress management, pacing, psychological support, occupational therapy, and social connection can all form part of a broader approach to managing persistent pain.

The goal isn't simply to find something that masks the pain. It's also about building the knowledge, skills, confidence, and strategies that can help you manage pain and stay engaged with everyday life.

There isn't always one magic solution—sometimes it's about finding the right combination. 🌱

🌟 | Nancy | Patient Story | PAIN Johannesburg |When Nancy first came to PAIN Johannesburg, everyday life had become incr...
22/08/2026

🌟 | Nancy | Patient Story | PAIN Johannesburg |

When Nancy first came to PAIN Johannesburg, everyday life had become increasingly difficult. Walking, sitting, standing, driving, sleeping, bending down—even getting dressed—had become painful and challenging. She had also developed a fear of movement and was using a walking stick because she was worried about triggering her pain.

But Nancy knew she was still young and had so much life ahead of her. She was determined not to let pain define her future.

Working with Dr W.A. Liebenberg and the PAIN Johannesburg team, Nancy's journey became about more than a procedure. Her personalised management plan included a Radio-Frequency procedure alongside other guided treatments, as well as a daily walking programme, rotational exercises, dietary changes, and supplements. 🚶‍♀️🌿

Today, Nancy is walking every day and feels that she is taking control of her own story. She reports a 9 out of 10 improvement in her pain—a significant change from where she began.

Her experience is a reminder that managing persistent pain can involve many different pieces: understanding your condition, building confidence in movement, finding the right combination of strategies, and taking an active role in your own care.

We're proud to have been part of Nancy's journey and grateful that she has allowed us to share her story.

Because pain may be part of your story, but it doesn't have to be the author of it.✨

**Shared with patient consent. Individual experiences and outcomes may vary.**

💡 Friday Function Tip #4: Every Bit of Movement CountsEver find yourself thinking, “I need to exercise more,” but the i...
21/08/2026

💡 Friday Function Tip #4: Every Bit of Movement Counts

Ever find yourself thinking, “I need to exercise more,” but the idea of going to the gym feels like a mission? 😅

The good news is that movement doesn't have to mean a structured workout. The everyday activities you already do can all add up.

Walking the dog 🐕, washing the car 🚗, playing with the grandchildren 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦, gardening 🌱, doing some housework 🧹, or taking a stroll around the block 🚶‍♀️ all count as movement.

If you're living with persistent pain, try looking for small, manageable opportunities to move throughout your day. You don't have to do everything at once or push yourself to your limits. Finding activities you enjoy and can do consistently can help you stay active and engaged with everyday life.

So next time you think your movement “doesn't count” because it isn't a workout, think again. Every bit of movement counts. 💙

🌿 What Does Your Diet Have to Do With Pain?🥗 Could your plate be part of your pain management plan? 👀What you eat isn't ...
19/08/2026

🌿 What Does Your Diet Have to Do With Pain?

🥗 Could your plate be part of your pain management plan? 👀

What you eat isn't a magic fix for chronic pain—but your diet can influence things like inflammation, gut health, and the way your body processes pain.

Enter the Mediterranean way of eating. 🌿🫒🐟

And no, we're not talking about another restrictive diet where you have to count every calorie and say goodbye to everything you enjoy. 😅

The Mediterranean approach is all about "adding more of the good stuff": colourful vegetables, fresh fruit, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, olive oil and fish—while cutting back on highly processed foods, refined sugar and processed meats.

Research has linked this eating pattern with reduced pain and improved quality of life in some people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

🌱 The best part? You don't have to change everything at once.

Try one small swap this week:
🫒 Butter → olive oil
🥦 Add an extra serving of vegetables
🐟 Red meat → fish or beans
🥜 Packaged snack → a handful of nuts
🌿 Extra salt → herbs and spices

Small changes. Better habits. "One meal at a time." 💚

📖 Want to know what a Mediterranean-style plate actually looks like? Read our guide to eating for less pain.

https://thepaincollective.com/blogs/food-and-pain/boost-your-nerve-health

https://thepaincollective.com/blogs/food-and-pain/expert-grocery-tips

https://thepaincollective.com/blogs/food-and-pain/foods-that-make-pain-worse

🌟 Patient Story | Martha | PAIN JohannesburgWhen Martha first came to PAIN Johannesburg, she had been living with chroni...
18/08/2026

🌟 Patient Story | Martha | PAIN Johannesburg

When Martha first came to PAIN Johannesburg, she had been living with chronic and progressively worsening lower back pain for almost three years.

After previous treatments, including multiple SI joint injections and a lower back fusion, had provided little relief, she sought further help from Dr W.A. Liebenberg and the team at PAIN Johannesburg.

Through an individualised management approach, including her procedure and support from the therapists involved in her care, Martha began taking an active role in managing her pain. She committed to a regular walking routine, even setting reminders throughout the day to get up, move, and keep active. 🚶‍♀️

Her journey has extended beyond physical movement. She describes improvements in her mood, outlook, and overall quality of life—and says one of the things she valued most was simply being listened to.

For Martha, having someone take the time to understand what she was experiencing made a meaningful difference to her experience of care. 💙

Her story is a reminder that pain management is about more than addressing symptoms. It's also about listening to the person behind the pain, understanding their individual circumstances, and working together towards meaningful goals.

We are grateful to Martha for allowing us to share her story and for reminding us of the importance of being heard, supported, and involved in your own pain management journey.

*Shared with patient consent. Individual experiences and outcomes may vary.*

Myth Monday #5Myth: Stress Has Nothing to Do With PainHave you ever noticed that your pain gets worse during a stressfu...
17/08/2026

Myth Monday #5
Myth: Stress Has Nothing to Do With Pain

Have you ever noticed that your pain gets worse during a stressful week?
That's not a coincidence – it is because stress affects sleep, muscle tension, energy levels, mood, and nervous system sensitivity. 🤒

When stress levels rise, the body's protective systems become more alert. For people living with persistent pain, this often means symptoms become louder.
Managing stress won't cure chronic pain, but it can help reduce the load on an already sensitive nervous system.

Pain and stress are closely connected. Managing stress is easier said than done in today's world, but by practicing healthy, stress-relieving habits (such as breathing techniques, walking in nature and aerobic exercise) it is a game-changer for your overall health, especially when managing chronic pain. 🏃🏊

🩻 Think a “slipped disc” automatically means surgery? Think again.One of the scariest things you can hear after an MRI i...
13/08/2026

🩻 Think a “slipped disc” automatically means surgery? Think again.

One of the scariest things you can hear after an MRI is:
“You’ve got a slipped disc.”

But here’s something you might not know 👇:

For most people with an acute slipped disc and sciatica, surgery isn’t the first step — and many people improve without it.
📈 Research suggests that around 7–8 out of 10 people experience substantial improvement within the first 6–12 weeks without surgery.
And over the longer term, 80–90% can experience significant recovery without an operation.

But here’s where it gets really interesting…
🧬 Your body can actually help clean up the problem.
In some cases, the body gradually breaks down and absorbs the herniated disc material — a process known as spontaneous disc resorption.
One recent evidence review found disc resorption in approximately 76% of conservatively treated patients.
So what if your MRI looks… terrifying? 😳
An MRI can show a significant disc protrusion or herniation, but how dramatic the scan looks doesn’t always tell us how someone will feel or how they will recover.
For many people, the initial approach involves things like:

🚶‍♀️ Appropriate pain management
🏋️ Guided rehabilitation
📈 Gradually returning to normal activity
⏳ And, importantly, giving the body time to recover

That doesn't mean surgery is never necessary. A smaller number of people may need an operation, particularly when symptoms remain severely disabling, neurological weakness progresses, or emergency warning signs develop.
So if you’ve been told you have a “slipped disc”, don’t automatically assume that surgery is your only option.

Sometimes, the body is already doing more healing than you realise.

References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11465477/
https://www.bmj.com/content/381/bmj-2022-070730/

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