What conditions does The Cape Town Chiro treat?

We specialize in treating back pain, neck pain, sports injuries, and improving performance through evidence-based chiropractic care.

How long are chiropractic appointments?

Appointments are 45 minutes for an Initial Consultation and 30 minutes for a Follow Up, offering longer and more thorough care than most practices in Cape Town.

Is chiropractic care safe?

Yes. At The Cape Town Chiro, care is evidence-based, patient-centered, and safety is always our priority.

How much does a session cost?

Our sessions range between R650–R900 depending on the type and duration of your appointment.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a chiropractor?

No referral is needed. Chiropractors in South Africa are primary-contact practitioners, so you can book directly through The Cape Town Chiro.

How much does a chiropractic session cost?

An initial consultation costs R900 for 45 minutes and follow-ups are R650 (20-30 minutes).

Do you accept medical aid?

We don’t bill medical aid directly, but we provide you with a statement so you can submit a claim to your provider.

Can I reschedule my chiropractic booking?

Yes — you can reschedule via the confirmation email link or by reaching out directly to The Cape Town Chiro.

Why don’t you perform in-house X-rays?

In-house X-rays often yield poor image quality. We refer patients to professional radiology centres for accurate imaging and proper reporting.

When are chiropractic appointments available?

Bookings are open from 06:30 to 19:00 on weekdays, and Saturdays 06:30 to 16:00. You can reserve slots 24/7 via the online system.

Do all herniated discs need surgery?

No. The majority of disc herniations can be managed successfully with conservative treatment such as chiropractic care, physiotherapy, activity modification, and pain management. Surgery is only considered if symptoms persist beyond 6–12 weeks, if there is progressive weakness, or if red-flag symptoms like loss of bladder or bowel control occur.

Can chiropractic help disc herniation?

Yes, evidence-based chiropractic care can be very effective for many people with disc herniation. It focuses on improving spinal mobility, reducing nerve irritation, restoring movement, and strengthening stabilising muscles. Chiropractors like Dr Tristan Koekemoer work collaboratively with physiotherapists and medical doctors to ensure safe, progressive care and appropriate referral if needed.

When should I see a specialist for a disc herniation?

You should see a spine specialist if you experience red-flag symptoms such as severe or worsening weakness, numbness spreading to both legs, or loss of bladder or bowel control. You should also seek referral if symptoms persist beyond 6–12 weeks despite conservative treatment. In Cape Town, trusted specialists include Dr Attila Szabo, Dr Pradeep Makan, Prof Robert Dunn, and Dr Sachin Naidoo.

Disc Herniation Treatment in Cape Town: A Complete Guide

Name: The Cape Town Chiro
Address: 99 Main Road, Green Point, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8005, ZA
Telephone: +27 76 313 6987
Price range: R650-R900
Rating: 5

If you’re experiencing back or neck pain and have been told it may be a disc herniation (slipped disc / prolapsed disc), you’ve come to the right place.
At Chiropractor Cape Town | Dr Tristan Koekemoer — also known as The Cape Town Chiro — we combine evidence-based care with real-world experience to help you understand your condition, explore treatment options in Cape Town, and know when trusted referral is needed.

What Is a Disc Herniation?

An intervertebral disc sits between two vertebrae and acts as a shock absorber.
A disc herniation occurs when the soft inner gel (nucleus pulposus) pushes through a tear in the tougher outer ring (annulus fibrosus).
This can press on nearby nerves or the spinal cord — often the source of radiating or sharp pain.

It’s not “just a bad back.” The issue involves anatomy, nerve irritation, biomechanics, and function — which is why a structured, step-by-step treatment plan matters.

Symptoms & When to Seek Professional Help

Localised back or neck pain, worse with bending, twisting, or prolonged sitting/standing.
Radiating pain down the leg or arm (sciatica / radiculopathy).
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the limbs.
Red flag: loss of bladder or bowel control, or severe progressive weakness — go to the Emergency Room immediately.

Early recognition and first-line conservative care can dramatically improve outcomes.

Diagnosis: What to Expect

When you visit our practice (or are referred), we will:

Review your history – onset, aggravating/relieving factors, and functional impact.
Perform an orthopaedic and neurological assessment – reflexes, sensation, muscle strength, and nerve-tension tests.
Determine if imaging (MRI or CT) is necessary to confirm diagnosis and exclude conditions such as spinal stenosis, tumour, infection, or fracture.

A clear diagnosis ensures we target the true cause of your symptoms.

First-Line Disc Herniation Treatment in Cape Town

At Chiropractor Cape Town | Dr Tristan Koekemoer, we are often your first line of treatment. Most disc herniations do not require surgery and respond well to evidence-based conservative care.

Our Approach Includes:

Activity modification – avoiding aggravating movements and correcting posture and lifting technique.
Pain & inflammation management – NSAIDs (under GP guidance), mobility work, and therapeutic modalities.
Chiropractic & manual therapy – restoring spinal mobility, improving nerve dynamics, reducing irritation.
Functional rehabilitation – strengthening your core and stabilisers, retraining safe movement patterns.
Education – understanding your spine, safe movements, and gradual return to activity.

If progress stalls, we collaborate with local professionals such as:

Dr Michael Waynik – GP for assessment, imaging, and guidance on next steps.
The Pain Collective – for nerve-root blocks or epidural injections, only when conservative care hasn’t achieved desired results.

When Surgery Becomes Relevant

Surgery isn’t failure — it’s a valuable option when:

Symptoms persist for 6–12 weeks+ despite full conservative care.
Progressive weakness or muscle wasting due to nerve compression.
Cauda equina syndrome – bladder/bowel control loss.
Structural instability or large disc fragments confirmed via imaging.

A good surgeon will explain the indication clearly, review your scans, discuss risks, benefits, and rehabilitation expectations.

Recovery & Aftercare

Following any form of treatment, rehabilitation is key. We help you rebuild strength, restore mobility, and prevent recurrence with posture retraining, core stability, and progressive conditioning.

We often work with Physiotherapist San-Marie Coetzer for structured rehabilitation and post-surgical recovery.

Trusted Spine Specialists in Cape Town

Dr Attila Szabo

Fellowship-trained spine surgeon with 20+ years’ experience focused on least-invasive interventions.
Spine Surgery Cape Town

Dr Pradeep Makan

Orthopaedic spine surgeon specialising in degenerative and traumatic spinal conditions.
Cape Town Spine Surgeon

Prof Robert Dunn

Senior orthopaedic spine surgeon with over 4500 procedures performed.
OrthoUCT

Dr Sachin R. Naidoo

Neurosurgeon based in Northern Suburbs / West Coast, specialising in minimally-invasive spine surgery.
Cape Neurospine

Get In Touch

Practice: Chiropractor Cape Town | Dr Tristan Koekemoer (The Cape Town Chiro)
Address: 99 Main Road, Green Point, Cape Town
Phone: +27 76 313 6987
Website: thecapetownchiro.com
Book Online: Cliniko Booking Link

We’ll assess, explain, and guide you every step of the way — so you can get back to living, training, and performing pain-free.