No, a formal referral is not required to schedule a consultation. However, all new patients must complete and submit our medical history form—available under the Contact Us section—prior to their appointment. Receiving this information in advance allows Dr. Gouws to review your history and determine if specific X-rays, MRIs, or diagnostic tests are required before your visit.

We can submit claims to medical aid for certain portions of your treatment according to your scheme’s specific benefits and rates. However, because regenerative therapies involve specialized materials and procedures, there are usually costs that medical schemes do not cover.

Because every treatment plan is tailored to your specific condition, we cannot provide a single fixed price. Total costs depend on the therapy selected, the number of target areas (e.g., a single joint vs. full spinal/facet joint stabilization), and the quantity of medical solution or processed plasma required.

Before your visit, Dr. Gouws reviews your submitted medical history form to map out a prospective treatment strategy tailored to your needs. While plans are fully individualized, our general approach includes:

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Primarily utilized for peripheral joint spaces—such as knees, elbows, shoulders, and ankles—where concentrated cellular repair is needed.

Prolotherapy: Highly effective and commonly selected for spinal conditions, back pain, and delicate facet joint stabilization.

Stem Cell Therapy: An advanced biological option that can be arranged and integrated if you and Dr. Gouws decide it is the best fit for your long-term recovery goals.

Because anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs like Ibuprofen, Nurofen, or Voltaren) block the biological healing cascade, we strongly advise against taking them after your injections.

If you experience post-treatment soreness or stiffness, Paracetamol (Panado) can be used for general discomfort. For stronger pain management, prescription options such as Stilpane, Synaleve, or Tramacet may be used, as they manage pain without suppressing the inflammatory response needed for tissue repair. Applying warmth or light movement as directed by Dr. Gouws can also help soothe the treated area.

We prioritize your comfort throughout the procedure by using a local anaesthetic to thoroughly numb the targeted treatment areas before and during the injections.

Because Prolotherapy involves treating multiple structural points in an area and intentionally triggers a temporary inflammatory response to kickstart tissue repair, it is normal to experience localized soreness, stiffness, or aching for a few days—and occasionally a bit longer depending on the extent of the area treated. This temporary discomfort is actually a positive sign that your body’s natural repair cascade has been activated.

Most patients resume light daily routine activities immediately, though heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity should be paused briefly as advised by Dr. Gouws.

Because these therapies rely on natural cellular repair, results build progressively over time. Prolotherapy typically involves 3 to 6 sessions spaced several weeks apart, PRP often requires 1 to 3 sessions, and Stem Cell Therapy is usually administered in tailored protocols. Dr. Gouws will map out an individualized timeline during your assessment.

No. While our main practice is based in Parys, Dr. Gouws flies to Cape Town approximately every 6 weeks to consult and treat patients (which aligns perfectly with the standard recovery window between regenerative sessions). We are also actively planning to expand services to George, depending on patient demand in that region.

Yes, we do offer telephonic consultations. This is a convenient option for long-distance patients or those needing an initial discussion before travelling to one of our clinical locations.

We recommend staying well-hydrated in the 24 hours leading up to your appointment, as good hydration makes blood draws (for PRP) smoother and aids cellular function. Eat a normal meal beforehand. Most importantly, avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications (such as Ibuprofen, Neurofen, or Voltaren) for at least 7 to 10 days prior, as these interfere with the natural healing signal required for regenerative therapy.

Not necessarily. If you already have existing X-rays, MRI scans, or ultrasound reports, please send them through with your completed medical history form. Once Dr. Gouws reviews your history, he will advise if any updated or specific imaging is needed prior to your session, saving you unnecessary extra scans..