Hillcrest · Upper Highway

Hillcrest Chiropractor & Pain Specialist

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.

Dr Neil Cuninghame, Hillcrest chiropractor and pain management specialist
17+years helping people out of pain
17+ years' experience UCT Pain Management Diploma Medical aids accepted No referral needed Same-week appointments
Dr Neil Cuninghame, chiropractor and pain specialist, at his Hillcrest practice
The person behind the practice

Meet Dr Neil Cuninghame

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.

More about Dr Neil and his qualifications

Experience and expertise

Experience and Expertise in Pain Management

Dr Neil has spent his career trying to understand pain properly. Alongside his chiropractic degree he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Pain Management from the University of Cape Town, he speaks at congresses on pain, and he sits on the national board committee that examines chiropractors qualifying in South Africa.

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. More about his training, his registration and his thinking.

In the media

In the Media

Health in Wealth podcast, episode 18: Fear, Pain, and the Brain, featuring Dr Neil Cuninghame
Health in Wealth® · Season 1, Episode 18 · 37 min
Fear, Pain, and the Brain: Why We Avoid What Could Free Us

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.

What I help with

Conditions I Help With

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.

How I work

My Approach to Chiropractic Care

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.

Part of your treatment plan

Shockwave Therapy for Stubborn Tendon and Heel Pain

Some tendon and heel problems are slow to settle, even when you are doing the right things. For stubborn cases such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, gluteal and proximal hamstring tendinopathy, and calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, I sometimes add shockwave therapy. It is one part of the plan, not the whole answer. It works alongside hands-on treatment, dry needling where useful, pain education and a graded loading programme, so the tissue can recover and build its tolerance again.

Your first visit

What to Expect at Your First Visit

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.

45-60minutes for your first consultation
30minutes for follow-up visits
Noneno referral or prior scans needed
Where you will find me

Part of a Medical Hub in Hillcrest

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.

GPsPhysiotherapistsPsychologistsPsychiatrists HomeopathsDentistsOncologists Ampath laboratories (blood work) Lake Smit & Partners (ultrasound, X-ray and MRI) Hillcrest Surgical Unit
Cover and payment

Medical Aids Accepted

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.

What my patients say

What My Patients Say

★★★★★
Real reviews from patients across Hillcrest and the Upper Highway
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Craig Prince profile picture
Craig Prince
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Dr. Neil Cunninghame performed the most thorough examination that I have ever had in South Africa or in the United States where I am from. He followed up with my personal physician and I can’t thank him enough for all he has done. I would highly recommend him to everyone!
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Alison McLaren profile picture
Alison McLaren
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Dr Cuninghame is amazing!!! I've struggled with my back for years and he has helped me figure out the pain and get some more permanent relief. He is very much about finding the problem and fixing it and not just short term solutions and return visits. Would recommend 100%!
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Marc Allen profile picture
Marc Allen
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I went to Dr Cuninghame for my upper left back/neck area originally. I just woke up one morning and could hardly even turn my head. In 2 sessions, he had me as right as rain. While I was there I just mentioned a left heel issue that was troubling me whilst running, but wasn't preventing me from getting out there, so it wasn't a big deal (runners are idiots). But a few weeks later, I started to feel that my right knee was starting to really hurt due to compensating for the left heel issue. All I did was send Neil a message and he suggested I get some ultrasound scans done on my heel. Within little to no time, he got back to me and said it looked like I had a heel spur. He took it upon himself to get a deep analysis of the issue done by Dr Kevin MacIntyre at the KZN Foot and Ankle Clinic at Busamed Gateway. Neil obtained a number of options for my condition/recovery, one of which was keyhole surgery. As it turned out, this is what I opted for (after getting Neil's okay) and this was for sure the right way to go. The before and after photo's are proof of just how much calcium build up there was and how much "cleaning" needed to be done around the heel and the bottom of the Achilles. The entire experience from start to finish with Neil was a pleasure. Nothing like getting a serious heel issue sorted when you just actually popped in with a temporarily sore neck! You can mess around with massages, physios, bio's etc but if you want an unrushed, well-considered analysis and learned opinion on your problem, you MUST go see Dr Cuninghame! He truly makes you feel comfortable and he makes a massive effort to make sure that you come to a JOINT decision about the way forward and treatment required
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Anthony Mc Millan profile picture
Anthony Mc Millan
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Very professional! When your in pain, this is the place to go.
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Marion Rossouw profile picture
Marion Rossouw
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I have recently been treated by Dr Neil Cuninghame and am VERY impressed, my back is not a problem anymore am so thrilled. I will go back to him again should my back play up again
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Shaun Rubenstein profile picture
Shaun Rubenstein
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Dr Cuninghame has been my Chiro for the last 10 years. Every year running with the boat for Dusi leads to a bunch of little issues that Neil understands and always manages to sort out. Its always reassuring knowing you have the support of a very knowledgeable and caring Chiro. I would absolutely recommend Neil with a 5 star review.
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Blake Louwrens profile picture
Blake Louwrens
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Professional and to the point got me back on my feet with some serious injuries from my sport. Highly recommend Neil
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Brendon Funnell profile picture
Brendon Funnell
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So I'm not the kind of guy that likes going to a Dr or Dentist or even the Vet to be honest, but having an insanely sore shoulder for 2 weeks eventually got the better of me and I booked (very easily via an online platform) with Dr Neil Cuninghame to have a look at what was going on. I only really chose him because he was situated really conveniently in the new Meyrickton Office Park on Old Main Road in Hillcrest and close to my offices at Funnell Cars. Not having ever been to a physio let alone a chiro in my life, I had no idea what to except pain to the max ... What I found was the opposite, in fact it was amazing, and totally not what I was thinking ~ this GUY is a true professional, an expert and such a great guy over and above all the medical expertise. We ended up chatting for quite a bit and then when my mind was at ease he did a few tests and isolated the problem. What he did after that can only be described by a non medically minded person as witchcraft (😝😝) as he stuck in 2 needles in my shoulder without me even flinching, did some more magic, stretching, pulling and with a few proper adjustments of my neck and spine (popping which would have made bubble wrap embarrassed) he was done. Applied some strapping, some more advice to boot and said I needed to see him in 2 days for a follow up. I already felt like a new man, so I wondered if I would be back, but walking out and seeing the next appointment of his hobbling in on crutches peaked my interest... Two days later, with my shoulder 90% better already I was back and the Dr did the similar sequence and by now I was feeling 100s... To my amazement, on the way out from this appointment, the same crutches guy who could barely make it around 2 days ago WALKED in (albeit looking tender) but literally like a walking miracle given what I had seen of him previously 😱😱 Forget the Pastors of Doom, eating grass and all that kind of stuff, of you're looking for some healing then place yourself in the care of this guy 😉👌🏼 All I can say is I'll probably be paying him monthly visits now just to have my back realigned and for a general chat session, as it was just that worth it 👨‍⚕️🙌🏽
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Mich Donne profile picture
Mich Donne
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Over 15 months of battling with a chronic running injury , I was skeptical of yet more help. But Neil was confident he could help. So glad I went. I am proof that his methods work. Pain management, the central nervous system and the training the brain. After a few sessions of chiro, monthly rehab and using the tens machine that he provided, I am at last pain free. Neil I am so grateful. Long may this carry on. Thank you thank you. 😁
Free guides

Helpful Guides and Resources

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.

Free download Cover of the free guide Understanding Concussion in Young Athletes by Dr Neil Cuninghame
For parents and caregivers

Understanding Concussion in Young Athletes

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
Free Videos Free stretching videos by Hillcrest chiropractor Dr Neil Cuninghame
Move well

Helpful Stretches

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 videos
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?

No referral is needed. You can book directly online, via WhatsApp, or by calling reception.

How quickly can I book an appointment?

There is usually same-week availability. Use the online booking system to see real-time times, or call reception for a same-day slot.

Will treatment hurt?

Most people feel relief after a session. Techniques are always explained and adapted to your comfort.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on your condition, but many people start to notice improvement within 2 to 3 sessions.

Do you accept medical aid?

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.

Can you help with sciatica and headaches?

Yes. Sciatica, back pain and headaches are some of the most common reasons people come to see me.

Find me here

Find Us in Hillcrest

A1a Meyrickton Park,
2 Meyrickton Pl, St Helier,
Hillcrest, 3610

Monday to Friday07:30 to 16:30
Saturday and SundayClosed

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.

Ready when you are

Book Your Appointment in Hillcrest

Same-week appointments are usually available, with no referral needed. Book online, send a WhatsApp, or call reception.

Phone 031 035 1165  ·  WhatsApp 064 820 5203  ·  Online drneilcuninghame.com/chiropractic-online-booking
On and off the bike

Follow Along on Instagram

Follow @hillcrest_chiropractor for stretches, pain-relief tips, and a look behind the scenes.