Martin Elvey has been a physiotherapist in private practice for over twenty years, with extensive experience in management of chronic pain conditions. He qualified as a physiotherapist at the University of Cape Town and pursued further study at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) earning a Master’s degree in physiotherapy. His research involved management of chronic neck pain and the role of psychosocial factors therein. He has also studied nervous system movement and mechanics, and lectures in anatomy and clinical decision-making to physiotherapy Master’s students at Wits.

Martin’s deep interest in the interaction between the body and the brain as regards pain, as well as his expertise in chronic pain management led to the establishment of the Pain Care Group in 2013.

Martin has authored guidelines for insurance companies, to help clarify the role of pain rehabilitation in pain disability claimants and to aid in the decision-making process as to whether to pursue rehabilitation in each case. He has also authored “10 Predictors for Return to Work,” a questionnaire aiding insurance assessors in deciding how to proceed with a pain-disability claim. These documents constitute pioneering change in the way insurance companies deal with pain-disability claimants. The results speak for themselves: companies are seeing claims withdrawn due to successful rehabilitation, as claimants return to work and optimum functioning.

Miriam Krawitz is the in house Occupational Therapist at The Pain Care Group. She has a BSc from York College (New York City) as well as Post Graduate Diploma in Vocational Rehabilitation (University of Pretoria). She is registered with all the relevant medical bodies including OTASA, HPCSA and MPS. She is also NDT (Adult Neuro) trained and ErgoScience certified.

She worked at Lutheran Medical Center and Life Kensington Clinic as a rehabilitation therapist after which she went into private practice in 2009 and has an interest in adult rehabilitation as well as vocational rehabilitation. Miriam has a special interest in neurological conditions including strokes, GBS, head injuries, neuromuscular diseases and geriatric conditions.

She has also been performing functional capacity assessments for the various insurers, case management and return to work programs.

Mandy is a clinical psychologist registered with the HPCSA and works with all of The Pain Care Group patients.

Her areas of interest include psychiatric disorders, grief, trauma, chronic diseases, and pain management. Mandy employs an integrative perspective, using psychodynamic techniques as well as cognitive behavioural strategies.

Mandy employs the Progressive Goal Attainment Programme (PGAP), which assists individuals to become more mobile and enjoy an improved quality of life after traumatic accidents or illnesses that cause excessive pain. It also involves psychological interventions that deal with trauma as well as mood symptoms.