Occupational Therapy Pain Management Group

Who we are

OTPMG was formed in October 2019 by a group of Occupational Therapists with a special interest in managing people with pain.

Current research suggests that effective management of pain requires a biopsychosocial approach by an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

Occupational Therapists aim to help people understand their chronic pain from this broad perspective and become successful self-managers of their condition and symptoms.

Occupational Therapists offer a practical approach to pain management and can integrate a range of interventions and approaches into a comprehensive and do-able long-term plan.

Our team consists of highly trained and experienced professionals within this field.

Founding EXCO in 2020

Meet our Team

Helen Roome

Chairperson

BSc (OT) (Wits)
Prac. Diploma Labour Law (UNISA Business centre)
MA Theology (Tabor college, AUS)
PG Dip. Interdisciplinary Pain Management (UCT)

Helen’s expertise in pain and fatigue management builds on almost 30 years of broad clinical experience in adult physical and psychiatric rehabilitation in public and private health settings in Gauteng and KZN. She has lectured and presented on health-related topics frequently over the years both locally and internationally. She is also a council member of PainSA.

She currently works in independent practice offering online support for people living with persistent pain and fatigue. She has a special interest in Fibromyalgia/Chronic Widespread Pain and cofacilitates an educational support group for people living with the condition.

Helen is also the author of “Your pain playbook: effective daily strategies for life beyond pain” (2023) – a book she wrote to support people in the self-management of their pain.

Helen is a curious life-long-learner and also really tries to practice what she preaches! So, you’ll find her on a hiking trail or in the garden on weekends and behind an easel in the holidays!

Raeesa Essop

Deputy Chairperson

BSc (OT) (Wits
Dip. Voc. Rehab. (UP)
PG Dip. Interdisciplinary Pain Management (UCT)

Raeesa completed her OT degree at WITS in 2010 and, as a community service OT, started to notice the gaps in her pain knowledge. This motivated her to complete the Train Pain certificate. Although she continues to offer FCEs, medicolegal assessments and vocational rehabilitation; in 2022 she challenged herself by returning to acute practice: working in a hand therapy practice once per week.

In addition to her PG Dip in vocational rehabilitation, she has completed the PG Dip in Interdisciplinary Pain Management at UCT. She is also trained in PGAP, Kinesiotaping and cupping.

Raeesa is passionate about our OT profession and has served on the INSTOPP board (2017-2022) and has been co-chairperson of the OTASA- Southern Gauteng branch committee since 2020.

Alison Camp

Secretary

B. OT (UKZN)
MSc. OT (Neurosciences) (Wits)

Alison graduated from UDW (UKZN) in 1994. Throughout her career, she has remained passionate about comprehensive assessment and management for people (primarily adults) who have suffered neurological fallout. She has worked in specialised neurological rehabilitation settings for many years and has post graduate training as a Neurodevelopmental therapist – completing her basic Bobath, as well as 3 Advanced Bobath, courses focusing on treating adults with neurological conditions. She currently works within an interdisciplinary team at a private hospital in Hillcrest, KZN, treating acute patients from the ICU phase of recovery, through acute rehabilitation, until reintegrating them back into work and their community; including driving.

In her work with people with neurological and complex medical conditions, Alison recognized the need to upskill herself in managing acute and chronic pain and has attended several OTPMG courses and webinars. She has found a renewed sense of purpose in her role as an OT offering appropriate pain management and is motivated to assist in developing this area for our OT community.

Alison tries hard to find balance in life with her mountain biking; two active collie dogs; as well as her family.

Melissa Vaughan

Treasurer

B.OT (US)

Melissa completed her OT degree in 2015 at Stellenbosch University. Her work experience includes working at an inpatient Psychiatric hospital and, since 2018, at Sauerman Occupational Therapists Inc. in Secunda, Mpumalanga. The practice mainly focuses on adult physical, cognitive and psychiatric rehabilitation as well as RFA Assessments and FCE’s.

Since attending the courses presented by OTPMG, Melissa has developed a keen interest in the understanding of pain and is passionate about sharing what she has learnt and creating awareness wherever she goes. Melissa also enjoys running a SADAG-approved Support Group on a bi-weekly basis for members of the public who have been diagnosed with PTSD. She has special interests in Hand rehabilitation, cognitive rehabilitation as well as Psychiatric conditions.

Julie Anne van Veenendaal

Marketing

BSc (OT) (UCT)
MSc (OT) (UCT)

Julie Anne is an Occupational Therapist and a BASI Certified Pilates Instructor working in private practice in Pietermaritzburg, KZN. She works primarily with people living with chronic conditions such as hypermobility, dysautonomia, neurological conditions, and persistent back pain.

As a pilates instructor, Julie Anne has a particular interest in the role of movement in managing persistent pain alongside the importance of helping people establish habits and routines that support their sense of wellbeing and enable resilience.

Her interest in resilience led to her master’s research which focused on the relationship between occupation and resilience, looking at the ways in which resilience is impacted by daily life.

Outside of work you can find her collecting pot plants, dancing or practicing Pilates.

Gillian Coetsee

EXCO member / Past secretary

BScOT (Wits)
Dip AdvOT (Neurosc) (Wits)
Dip Voc Rehab (UP)
Dip Hand Therapy (UP)
PG Dip Int Pain Mgmt (UCT)

Gill qualified in 1990 and has spent the past 30-odd years working as an OT. Her work experience includes working at Natalspruit Hospital for 4 years (spinal rehabilitation, orthopaedics, plastics, paediatrics and adult neurology), 1 year working in London and Belfast and since then private practice.

Her practice focuses on the treatment of clients with hand injuries and adult neuro and she has a special interest in treatment of pain and preventing persistent pain in the clients that she sees. She is also involved in FCE’s and medico-legal work.

Gill is passionate about learning and sharing knowledge and has been involved in lecturing and external examining for undergrad and post-grad courses and presented many workshops and lectures. Over the years she has been involved in OTASA, INSTOPP, SASHT (past president), IFSHT, OTPMG and is a council member of PainSA.

Her leisure activities include spending time with her family and friends, reading, gardening, crochet and she loves the outdoors, camping and scuba diving whenever possible.

Linda Hiemstra

EXCO member / Past Treasurer

B.OT (US)
Dip Voc Rehab (UP)
PG Dip Int Pain Mgmt (UCT)

Linda has worked as an Occupational Therapist, both internationally and locally, since 2003 and has experience in the public and private sectors in a wide variety of disciplines, including orthopaedics, general medicine, geriatrics, neurology, spinal and vocational rehabilitation.

She started her current practice in 2010 and it continues to grow. Her practice forms part of the interdisciplinary team at PAIN, where she forms part of the rehabilitation leadership.

She is passionate about providing quality, holistic service which is in the best interest of the patient, and enjoys providing scientifically sound patient education. Seeing patients realise their own potential and grow into their best lives is what makes being an Occupational Therapist so rewarding.

In her free time, Linda enjoys hiking and photography, spending time with family and friends, and reading.