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Monday 07:00 - 16:00 Tuesday 07:00 - 16:00 Wednesday 07:00 - 16:00 Thursday 07:00 - 16:00 Friday 07:00 - 16:00

Dr RP Raath Chronic Pain Centre

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Dr RP Raath Chronic Pain Centre

Dr R.P. Raath is a medical practitioner that specializes in the treatment and management of Chronic

Pain clinic treating : Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid arthritis, Spasms, Joint Pains, Back and Neck Pain, Leg pains, Headaches, Shingles ext.

30/01/2026

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), also called radiofrequency neurotomy, uses radio waves to create a current that heats a small area of nerve tissue. The heat destroys that area of the nerve, stopping it from sending pain signals to your brain. RFA can provide lasting relief for people with chronic pain, especially in the lower back, neck and arthritic joints.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be right for you if have:

Pain relief following a nerve block injection. This tells your provider that that particular nerve is the source of your pain and is an appropriate target for RFA.

Chronic pain that does not respond to other treatment, such as pain medication and physical therapy.

Dr RP Raath Chronic Pain Centre

28/01/2026

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a medical procedure that involves extracting a concentrated form of platelets from a person's blood and injecting it back into the body. PRP is gaining popularity for various therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Here are the top five benefits associated with PRP therapy:

Enhanced Tissue Healing: PRP contains a high concentration of platelets, which are rich in growth factors and other bioactive proteins. When injected into injured or damaged tissues, PRP stimulates the natural healing process, promoting tissue repair and regeneration. It can accelerate healing and improve outcomes in conditions such as tendonitis, ligament injuries, muscle strains, and osteoarthritis.

Reduced Pain and Inflammation: The growth factors in PRP have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with chronic conditions. By modulating the immune response and promoting tissue repair, PRP can alleviate pain and improve overall function, making it a valuable treatment option for individuals with chronic joint pain or musculoskeletal injuries.

Non-Surgical Alternative: One significant advantage of PRP therapy is that it offers a non-surgical approach to treatment. For individuals seeking alternatives to invasive procedures or those who are not suitable candidates for surgery, PRP can provide effective relief and promote healing. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in an outpatient setting, reducing the risks and downtime associated with surgery.

Natural and Autologous Treatment: PRP is derived from a person's own blood, making it an autologous treatment. Since the platelets are obtained from the patient's body, there is minimal risk of adverse reactions or rejection. Moreover, PRP is considered a natural treatment option because it utilizes the body's own healing mechanisms, without the need for synthetic drugs or foreign substances.

Versatile Applications: PRP therapy has shown promising results in various medical fields. It is commonly used in orthopedics for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, but it also has applications in dermatology, dentistry, and even hair restoration. PRP can improve skin texture and tone, promote wound healing, and stimulate hair growth, among other cosmetic benefits.

While PRP therapy has demonstrated numerous potential benefits, it is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional to determine its suitability for your specific condition and discuss any potential risks or limitations

To manage and treat your chronic pain make an appointment on
012 344 4198 or reception@chronicpain.co.za , www.chronicpain.co.za

26/01/2026

Chronic headaches can be more complicated than most people realize. Different kinds can have their own set of symptoms, happen for unique reasons, and need different treatments.

Chronic headaches are usually one of the four types of primary headaches:

Chronic migraine
Chronic tension headache
New daily persistent headache
Hemicrania continua

The first step is to talk to your doctor about your headaches. They’ll give you a physical exam and ask you about the symptoms you have and how often they happen. It’s important to be as complete as possible with these descriptions. Give your doctor a list of things that cause your headaches, things that make them worse, and what helps you feel better. You can track details in a headache diary to help your doctor diagnose your problem.

Ultimately, many patients benefit from an interdisciplinary treatment that includes medication, mental health, a pain psychologist, physical therapy and even occupational therapy. The focus is on function and improving the quality of life.

To treat and manage your chronic headaches make an appointment
012 344 4198 or reception@chronicpain.co.za
www.chronicpain.co.za

23/01/2026

Pain signals are masked before they reach the brain with spinal cord stimulation. A small device, similar to a pacemaker, delivers electrical pulses to the spinal cord.
If you suffer from chronic back, leg, or arm pain and have not found relief from other therapies, it may be an option for you.

A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) device is surgically placed under your skin and sends a mild electric current to your spinal cord.
Thin wires carry current from a pulse generator to the nerve fibers of the spinal cord. Upon activation, the SCS stimulates the nerves in the area where you feel pain. Pain is reduced because the electrical pulses modify and mask the pain signal from reaching your brain.

The source of the pain is not eliminated by stimulation. It simply changes the way the brain perceives it. Because of this, the amount of pain relief varies from person to person. The goal for SCS is a 50 to 70% reduction in pain. Even a small amount of pain reduction can be significant if it makes it easier to perform daily tasks and reduces the amount of pain medication needed. SCS does not improve muscle strength.

Stimulation does not work for everyone. Some people may find the sensation unpleasant. Other people may not get relief over the entire pain area.

www.chronicpain.co.za

21/01/2026

The goals of pain treatment are to enhance functioning and reduce suffering and distress, while minimising the risk of adverse effects.

The reason that radiating pain happens is due to the fact that all your nerves are connected. So, an injury or issue in one area can travel along connected nerve pathways and be felt in another area. Pain can radiate from your back, down your arm or leg, or to your chest or back.

www.chronicpain.co.za

19/01/2026

Superior and middle cluneal nerves are purely sensory cutaneous nerves. Lower Back Pain can result from their entrapment around the iliac crest, where they dominate sensation in the lumbar and buttock areas.

Diagnosing nerve entrapment requires the identification of the trigger point at the entrapment site and the disappearance of symptoms after a nerve block. Nerve block and neurolysis are less invasive treatments for low back pain caused by superior or middle cluneal nerve entrapment.

For more information on treatment for cluneal nerve entrapment send an email to reception@chronicpain.co.za or call 012 3444 198 to make an appointment.

16/01/2026

The trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by painful sensations on one side of the face that are similar to an electric shock. This chronic pain condition affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. Even mild stimulation of your face, such as brushing your teeth or putting on makeup, can trigger excruciating pain if you have trigeminal neuralgia.

Most people with trigeminal neuralgia will be prescribed medicine to help control their pain, although surgery may be considered for the longer term in cases where medicine is ineffective or causes too many side effects.

There are a number of procedures that can offer some relief from the pain of trigeminal neuralgia, at least temporarily, by inserting a needle or thin tube through the cheek and into the trigeminal nerve inside the skull.

These are known as percutaneous procedures. X-rays of your head and neck are taken to help guide the needle or tube into the correct place while you're heavily sedated with medicine or under a general anaesthetic, where you're unconscious.

Percutaneous procedures to treat trigeminal neuralgia include:

- Medication injections – where a medicine is injected around the Gasserian ganglion, where the 3 main branches of the trigeminal nerve join together
- radiofrequency lesioning – where a needle is used to apply heat directly to the Gasserian ganglion
- balloon compression – where a tiny balloon is passed along a thin tube that has been inserted through the cheek. The balloon is then inflated around the Gasserian ganglion to squeeze it; the balloon is then removed

- Medication injections – where medicine is injected around the Gasserian ganglion, where the 3 main branches of the trigeminal nerve join together usually able to go home the same day.
Because of the variety of treatment options available, having trigeminal neuralgia doesn't necessarily mean that you're doomed to a life of pain.

Make an appointment with us to start managing and reducing your pain, contact 012 3444 198 or reception@chronicpain.co.za
www.chronicpain.co.za

14/01/2026

Chronic pain is a common, complex, and distressing problem, which has a significant impact on society and individuals. It commonly presents as a result of an injury or a disease; however, it is a separate condition in its own right, not merely an accompanying symptom of other ailments.

Some people live with chronic pain for so long that they forget what it’s like to feel normal and healthy.

Chronic pain has long-term biological, psychological and social causes and consequences that are important in prevention and management.

Dr. Raath uses multiple therapies and procedures to customise a treatment plan for every patient, as no chronic pain is ever the same.

For more information contact 012 344 4198 or reception@chronicpain.co.za.
www.chronicpain.co.za

12/01/2026

When you suffer from chronic pain, your healthcare provider may suggest a nerve block, a temporary or permanent procedure that disrupts specific nerve activity to diagnose and treat neuropathic pain, or pain caused by damaged or dysfunctional nerves.

Nerve blocks may be performed by injecting chemicals or anaesthetics into the area or by deliberately cutting or damaging certain parts of the nerve.

Pain caused by nerve damage or compression can be treated with nerve blocks. In most cases, they are used to treat symptoms of herniated discs and spinal stenosis in the back and neck. Pain can be controlled by nerve blocks temporarily or permanently, depending on the procedure.

There are different kinds of nerve blocks used for various purposes.
-Therapeutic nerve blocks are used to treat painful conditions.
-Diagnostic nerve blocks are used to determine sources of pain.
-Prognostic nerve blocks predict the outcomes of given treatments.
-Preemptive nerve blocks are meant to prevent subsequent pain from a procedure.
-Nerve blocks to avoid surgery.

What to Expect After a Nerve Block
After your nerve block, you may feel temporarily numb or sore, and you may notice some redness or irritation. This is usually not permanent and should fade with time.

Your doctor may ask you to rest after having a surgical block.
There may still be some pain after your nerve block, but that doesn't mean it wasn't successful. A nerve block may also cause swelling, which compresses the nerve and needs time to subside.

www.chronicpain.co.za

09/01/2026

The pain is usually described as a burning sensation and affected areas are often sensitive to the touch. Symptoms of neuropathic pain may also include excruciating pain, pins and needles, difficulty correctly sensing temperatures and numbness. Some people may find it hard to wear thick clothes as even slight pressure can aggravate the pain.

Manage your chronic pain before it gets worse.
Contact 012 3444 198 or reception@chronicpain.co.za
www.chronicpain.co.za

07/01/2026

Vitamin drip therapy, also known as IV vitamin therapy or nutrient IV therapy, is a medical treatment in which vitamins and minerals are administered directly into the bloodstream through an IV drip. Some of the potential benefits that have been associated with this therapy include:

Enhanced nutrient absorption: By administering vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream, IV vitamin therapy bypasses the digestive system and ensures that nutrients are absorbed more effectively than oral supplements. This can be particularly beneficial for people with malabsorption issues or digestive problems.

Improved energy levels: Some proponents of IV vitamin therapy claim that the treatment can boost energy levels and combat fatigue, thanks to the infusion of vitamins and minerals that are essential for energy production and overall health.

Immune system support: Vitamins and minerals are important for immune system function, and some studies suggest that IV vitamin therapy may help to support immune function, particularly in people who are deficient in certain vitamins or minerals. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of this therapy on immune health.

It's important to note that while there may be potential benefits to vitamin drip therapy, the treatment is not without risks, and should only be administered by a licensed medical professional. Additionally, it's always a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before trying any new treatments or supplements.

To book an appointment call 012 344 4198

05/01/2026

How is chronic pain treated?

The main goal of treatment is to reduce pain and boost mobility. This helps you return to your daily activities without discomfort.

The severity and frequency of chronic pain can differ among individuals. So doctors create pain management plans that are specific to each person. Your pain management plan will depend on your symptoms and any underlying health conditions. Medical treatments, lifestyle remedies, or a combination of these methods may be used to treat your chronic pain.

www.chronicpain.co.za

Address

213 Middelberg Street
Pretoria
0002

Opening Hours

Monday	07:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 16:00
Thursday	07:00 - 16:00
Friday	07:00 - 16:00

Website

https://www.chronicpain.co.za/

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