Move better, feel better, live better. Dr Neil Cuninghame is a Hillcrest chiropractor and interdisciplinary pain management specialist with over 17 years of experience, helping people with back pain, sciatica, headaches and sports injuries from Meyrickton Park in the Upper Highway area.
Over 17 years helping athletes, busy professionals and parents get out of pain and back to doing what they love.
Whether you are dealing with chronic pain, a sports injury, or everyday aches like headaches, back or shoulder pain, Dr Neil is here to help you find lasting relief. His approach combines evidence-based care, personalised plans, and a genuine understanding of how the body, and pain itself, works.
Dr Neil has spent his career trying to understand pain properly. He qualified as a chiropractor in 2009 and spent his early years in practices in Ladysmith, Vryheid and Westville before moving to Hillcrest in 2019 to focus on pain management. In 2020 he earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Pain Management from the University of Cape Town, alongside ongoing training in pain science.
This means he does not just chase symptoms; he looks for the root cause and builds a plan around it.
And it is not only academic. As an endurance athlete, he has had his own share of injuries and setbacks, so he understands what it takes to recover and stay active.
▶ Dr Neil joined the Health in Wealth podcast to explore why fear can keep us stuck in pain, and how understanding the brain's role in pain can help set us free.
If pain is stopping you from training, working or sleeping, there is a good chance I can help. Common reasons people come to see me include:
For persistent or complex pain, my interdisciplinary training means we focus on helping you understand, manage and reduce it, rather than just chasing the symptoms. Not sure if chiropractic is right for your problem? Book online or send a WhatsApp and I will point you in the right direction.
Every plan I create is evidence-based and tailored to you. Depending on what you need, care may include spinal and joint mobilisation, soft-tissue and dry-needling techniques, rehabilitation exercises and practical lifestyle guidance, always aimed at giving you the tools to stay well rather than just keeping you coming back.
Read more about how chiropractic works.
Your first consultation runs about 45 to 60 minutes. We will talk through your history, I will do a thorough physical examination including the relevant orthopaedic and neurological tests to rule out anything serious and get to the root of your pain, and we will agree on a plan together.
My practice is one of many suites in Meyrickton Park, a medical park in Hillcrest that brings a wide range of healthcare together in one location. It means that if your care ever needs more than one set of hands, the right people and facilities are close by.
Most South African medical aids cover chiropractic care, usually from your savings or day-to-day portion. Your initial consultation is settled upfront, and follow-ups can be claimed or submitted on your behalf, funds permitting.
In-depth guides on the conditions and questions I am asked about most, designed to help you make a confident, informed decision about your health. Free to read and keep.
What to look for, the red flags that mean emergency care, and how to safely return your child to school and sport. A clear, printable guide you can keep on the fridge or hand to a coach.
Read and download the guide
A handful of my favourite simple stretching videos to get you moving and ease everyday stiffness between visits. Quick to follow and easy to do at home.
Watch the videosWhy anti-inflammatories may not be the best solution for spinal pain, and the case for a multidisciplinary approach.
Read more →How sleep impacts pain, the science behind it, and why prioritising sleep matters for recovery.
Read more →Effective TFL stretching techniques and pain-management solutions to ease ITB syndrome.
Read more →These articles are for general information only and are not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider about your specific condition.
No referral is needed. You can book directly online, via WhatsApp, or by calling reception.
There is usually same-week availability. Use the online booking system to see real-time times, or call reception for a same-day slot.
Most people feel relief after a session. Techniques are always explained and adapted to your comfort.
It depends on your condition, but many people start to notice improvement within 2 to 3 sessions.
Yes. We provide invoices most medical aids accept, and can submit on your behalf for follow-ups. Initial appointments are paid upfront and can be claimed back, funds permitting.
Yes. Sciatica, back pain and headaches are some of the most common reasons people come to see me.
A1a Meyrickton Park,
2 Meyrickton Pl, St Helier,
Hillcrest, 3610
Easy on-site parking. I see patients from across the Upper Highway and Outer West, including Hillcrest, Kloof, Gillitts, Winston Park, Everton, Waterfall, Forest Hills, Assagay, Botha's Hill and Drummond, as well as Westville and Pinetown along the M13.
Same-week appointments are usually available, with no referral needed. Book online, send a WhatsApp, or call reception.
Follow @hillcrest_chiropractor for stretches, pain-relief tips, and a look behind the scenes.
