OrthoMED: A
multidisciplinary team working together to preserve and restore function, keeping you pain-free.
Ruan Fourie
Physiotherapist
Ruan studied Bachelors of Physiotherapy at the University of Pretoria and graduated in 2000. During his career as a sports physiotherapist, he has gained extensive knowledge enabling him to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate injuries after being involved with players from numerous sporting teams, including elite and Olympic athletes. His career as head physiotherapist for sporting disciplines, to name a few are, the Natal Sharks Super Rugby team for 5 years, The Lions Super Rugby Team, Russian Federation National Rugby Team, Sundowns Football Club as well as other sporting codes.
Our practice philosophy is… “You don’t have to be an Olympic champion to be treated like one”. We strive to treat our patients with the utmost respect, care with high-end skill and technology.
Dr Jonathan Blackburn is a chiropractor with a genuine passion for helping people move better, recover faster, and stay active. Born in George and raised in Cape Town, he later moved to Durban to pursue his studies in chiropractic, where his interest in biomechanics, movement, and rehabilitation deepened.
He has a strong focus on treating sports-related injuries and a particular interest in the treatment and rehabilitation of lower back pain. Dr Blackburn is committed to providing evidence-based care tailored to the needs of both athletes and active individuals.
Dr Blackburn takes a holistic, hands-on approach to care, looking beyond symptoms to understand the underlying cause of each patient’s pain. His treatment style combines thorough assessment and diagnosis with precise biomechanical adjustments and structured rehabilitation.
His goal is not only to reduce pain, but to restore function and empower patients with the knowledge and exercises needed to strengthen areas of dysfunction and help prevent future injury.
Minique obtained her Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from Stellenbosch University in 2024.
Growing up iin Stellenbosch, her active lifestyle sparked a deep interest in movement, health, and rehabilitation – a passion she now brings into every patient interaction.
She has a strong interest in orthopaedics, sports-related injuries, and post-operative rehabilitation, and is dedicated to providing holistic, patient-centred care to help individuals return to active and meaningful lives.
OrthoMED
At OrthoMED we work as a team. Lead by our orthopaedic specialist, the team comprises of physiotherapists, biokineticists, occupational therapists, sports rehabilitation therapists, audiologists and speech therapists who work in unison to achieve the common goal of optimising our clients function.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy improves your physical condition by restoring normal body functions and addressing disability that may arise from a disease, trauma or injury.
Physiotherapy is a primary care speciality in medicine that encompasses posture, balance, movement as well as knowledge of disease, injury and its healing process.
It uses mechanical force and movements (Bio-mechanics or Kinesiology), manual therapy, exercise therapy, electrotherapy and various physical therapies including dry needling to restore normal function, decrease pain and speed up tissue healing rate.
It remediates impairments and promotes mobility, function, and quality of life through examination, diagnosis, prognosis, and physical intervention.
Physical Therapy (PT) services may be provided as primary care treatment or in conjunction with other medical services to provide a holistic approach to recovery.
Our Physiotherapists at PearlsMED have a comprehensive understanding of how the body works gained from many years of rigorous academic study and practical experience. They will address the illnesses or injuries that limit your abilities to move and perform functional activities in your daily life.
A patient’s individual history and physical examination findings aid to formulate a diagnosis and establish a personalised management and treatment plan, and when necessary, may incorporate special laboratory or imaging modalities such as X-rays, CT-scan or MRI studies.
PT management commonly includes education of the injury, the prescription of specific exercises, manual therapy and manipulation, mechanical devices such as traction, physical agents which include heat, cold, electricity, sound waves, radiation, assistive devices, prosthesis, orthosis and other interventions.
In addition, Physiotherapists work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness and wellness-orientated programs to achieve healthier and more active lifestyles; providing services to individuals and populations to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functionality throughout the lifespan. This includes the provision of therapeutic treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy.
Sports Physiotherapy
Sports Physiotherapy is a specialised branch of physiotherapy which deals with injuries and issues related to sports people, athletes and elite performance.
Sports injuries do differ to everyday injuries. Athletes normally require high level performance and increased demand placed upon their body, which stresses their muscles, joints and bones to the limit. Sports physiotherapists help athletes recover from sporting injuries and provide education and resources to prevent complications.
Each sports physiotherapist usually has sport-specific knowledge that addresses acute, chronic and overuse injuries. Their services are generally available to sports men and women of all ages engaged in sports at any level of competition.
Sports Physiotherapists have experience and knowledge of the latest evidence-based practice, skilled assessment and diagnosis of sports injuries, and use effective ‘hands-on’ management techniques and exercise protocols to assist recovery and prevent injury.
At PearlsMED our highly skilled and experienced sports physiotherapists can help you achieve optimal function and performance through treatment, advice and training to support every level of participation.
Chiropractic
Chiropractors are primarily spine specialists who diagnose and manage a range of related physical conditions. Best know for their treatment of back and neck pain they may also assist sports medicine, orthopaedics and neurological disciplines.
There are a few basic types of chiropractic treatments that are commonly called adjustments. The traditional adjustment is rendered by hand but other types of adjustments may be performed with the use of specialised instrument. The goal is to improve mobility and function, assist in improving range of motion, reducing pressure on nerve structures and providing relief for muscular pain. This ability to improve function of the spine or extremity without the use of surgery or drugs gives Chiropractic a central role in the conservative management of pain.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is a critical part of the recovery process – ithout it, patients may struggle to regain the ability that allows them to be
independent and confident. The rehabilitation journey is often challenging, but with our support, we will guide you to achieving recovery and starting a new chapter in your healing.
Our facilities are designed to make you feel comfortable, and are conducive to achieving a high rate of recovery. Our interdisciplinary teams understand the difficulty you may be facing and work tirelessly to help you mentally and physically. We offer the following services:
- Injury rehabilitation
- Post-operative support
- Chronic pain management
- Back pain relief
- Lymphatic drainage
- Functional improvement
- Stroke rehabilitation
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists in medicine work with patients who experience difficulties in completing activities of daily living due to a wide range of health problems including neurological impairments, functional limitations, hand rehabilitation and cardiovascular conditions.
Our occupational therapists aim to promote personal independence through assessments and interventions. Assessments may include gathering information about how a patient was managing before they were diagnosed and analysing how they can manage those tasks at home, for example washing and dressing. Other assessments may look at a patient’s memory or concentration. Interventions may include practicing new techniques or prescribing equipment to complete tasks a patient is finding difficult, providing education or referral to rehabilitation services.
Biokinetics
Biokineticists are human- movement specialists who prescribe exercise routines either as a preventative health measure or recovery from operation or illness.
Our biokineticists focus on orthopaedic rehabilitation. This includes strengthening of muscles to protect joints for sport and activities of daily living alike. Biokinetics also plays a role in optimising chronic disease management (cardiovascular, diabetes, arthritis) and promoting total wellness.
Biokinetics provides natural, drugless, non-surgical health treatments and rehabilitation, and relies on the body’s inherent recuperative abilities.