Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy · Northcliff

Sports & spinal physiotherapy in Northcliff, Johannesburg

Whether it's a nagging lower back after a round of golf, a stiff neck from long hours at a desk, or pain that travels down one leg — the aim is to understand why it's there, and give you a clear path back to moving comfortably.

Book a one-on-one assessment How physiotherapy helps

No referral needed — physiotherapists are first-contact practitioners in South Africa.

Understanding the problem

What we mean by spinal conditions

"Spinal conditions" cover a wide range of issues affecting the neck, mid-back, and lower back. They can come on suddenly after an incident or build up gradually over months.

Because the spine sits at the centre of almost every movement, symptoms often show up somewhere other than the spine itself — which is exactly why a proper assessment matters.

Common examples include:

  • Disc lesions and degenerative changes in the spine
  • A "pinched nerve" and sciatica — pain, pins and needles, or weakness travelling into an arm or leg
  • Whiplash and other neck injuries
  • Headaches linked to the neck and posture
The approach

How physiotherapy can help

Physiotherapy for the spine is typically hands-on and active. After assessing how your spine and surrounding muscles move and load, treatment may combine hands-on care, targeted exercises, posture and movement advice, and a gradual, structured return to the activities you enjoy.

The goal is to ease your current symptoms while addressing the underlying contributors — so you're less likely to be back in the same place a few months on.

Evidence-informed

Evidence consistently supports staying gently active and following a guided programme for many spinal conditions, rather than prolonged rest.

The sports connection

Active people put real demand on their spine — rotation in golf, contact and load in rugby, repetitive impact in running.

Mandy Gossip brings a strong sports-physiotherapy background to spinal care, having toured for two seasons with the Sunshine golf tour, worked with junior Lions rugby players, and managed dance-studio injuries. That lens helps when the aim isn't only to settle pain, but to get you safely back to your sport or activity — with a plan to stay there.

What to expect

Your care at Northcliff Physiotherapy

Mandy Gossip, physiotherapist at Northcliff Physiotherapy in Northcliff, Johannesburg

Mandy (Amanda) Gossip

Every session is one-on-one in a tranquil, home-based practice — beginning with a careful assessment and a treatment plan tailored to you, because no two spines, or lifestyles, are the same.

  • BSc (Physiotherapy), UCT, 1995
  • Over 20 years' experience — 16 of them in Johannesburg
  • Well known in the Northcliff area
Questions people ask

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist for back pain?
No. In South Africa, physiotherapists are first-contact practitioners, so you can book an assessment directly without a referral.
Can physiotherapy help sciatica or a pinched nerve?
It often can. Physiotherapy is commonly used to help manage nerve-related pain and to support recovery, though the right approach depends on your individual assessment.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies from person to person depending on the condition and how long it's been present. Mandy will discuss a realistic plan with you after your first assessment.
My back pain is sport-related — is this the right place?
Yes. Sports-related spinal issues are a core focus, with an emphasis on both settling symptoms and a safe return to activity.
Ready when you are

Ready to move comfortably again?

If back, neck or nerve-related pain is holding you back, a proper assessment is the best first step. Book a one-on-one appointment with Mandy, and we'll work out a tailored plan to get you back to what you love — and help you stay there.

Get in touch to book your assessment