Living with ongoing back and neck pain can affect every part of your life. From struggling to get through a workday to avoiding activities you once enjoyed, persistent pain can become both physically and emotionally exhausting. If your symptoms have lasted for more than three months, the Back and Neck Assistance Program (BNAP) may provide the structured support you need to move forward.
At Engelbrecht Physio Inc., we are an accredited Workability BNAP provider, offering a comprehensive rehabilitation programme designed to help reduce pain, restore function and improve your confidence in managing your condition.
What is the BNAP Programme?
The Back and Neck Assistance Programme (BNAP) is an evidence-based rehabilitation programme developed by Workability for people living with chronic back and neck conditions. Unlike ongoing treatment without a clear direction, BNAP follows a structured rehabilitation pathway with defined goals, timeframes and measurable outcomes.
The programme is led by accredited physiotherapists, working alongside your GP, and where appropriate, an occupational therapist. Rather than focusing solely on pain relief, BNAP aims to help you regain function, return to meaningful daily activities and develop the skills to manage your condition independently.
Every BNAP therapist has received specialist training and accreditation through Workability, ensuring that treatment follows recognised rehabilitation principles.
Could the BNAP programme be right for me?
You may benefit from the BNAP programme if you:
- Experience back or neck pain on most days for longer than three months.
- Find that your pain is limiting your daily activities or ability to work.
- Have already sought medical advice or treatment for your condition.
- Want a structured rehabilitation programme rather than ongoing symptom management.
The programme focuses specifically on back and neck conditions and does not include injuries affecting other areas such as the shoulder or hip.
Which medical schemes participate?
Patients with eligible benefits through participating medical schemes may qualify for the BNAP programme.
Current participating schemes include:
- Bestmed
- CompCare
- Consumer Goods Medical Scheme
- GEMS
- Massmart
- OMSMAF
- Polmed
- Profmed
- SAB Medical Scheme
- Sisonke Health
- Wooltru
If you are unsure whether your medical aid covers the programme, our team will gladly help you determine your eligibility.
What can I expect?
Once your medical aid has approved your participation, we will arrange your initial assessment at Engelbrecht Phyio Inc.
Comprehensive Assessment
Your physiotherapist will perform a detailed assessment to understand your symptoms, movement, functional limitations and rehabilitation goals. Based on this assessment, your condition will be categorised according to your rehabilitation needs.
Individualised Treatment Plan
Your programme may include:
- Targeted exercise therapy
- Manual therapy where appropriate
- Pain management strategies
- Movement retraining
- Education on posture, activity modification and flare-up management
- Home exercise programmes
If additional support is required, occupational therapy may also form part of your rehabilitation to assist with returning to work and improving everyday function.
Programme Duration
The length of your programme depends on your individual assessment and rehabilitation needs.
Typical programme timeframes include:
- Low Risk: 1-3 weeks
- Medium Risk: 6-9 weeks
- High Risk: 12-16 weeks
Throughout your programme, your progress is monitored to ensure your treatment remains focused on achieving meaningful improvements.
Why is my GP involved?
BNAP takes a collaborative approach to rehabilitation.
Before beginning the programme, your GP will complete a medical assessment to ensure that it is safe for you to participate. This assessment helps identify any underlying medical conditions or red flags that may require further investigation before rehabilitation begins.
The assessment considers factors such as:
- Your medical history
- Previous injuries or surgery
- Current health conditions
- Physical examination findings
- Potential risk factors requiring medical management
If your GP referred you to the programme, this assessment may already have been completed before your physiotherapy appointment.
What is expected from me?
The success of the BNAP programme depends on your active participation.
To achieve the best possible outcome, we encourage you to:
- Attend all scheduled appointments
- Complete your prescribed home exercises.
- Communicate openly about your progress and any concerns.
- Stay committed to the programme from start to finish.
Your rehabilitation is designed to help you build confidence, improve movement and develop long-term strategies for managing your condition.
How does payment work?
For eligible patients, the BNAP programme is funded through participating medical aid benefits and, where approved, is generally covered by your medical aid’s risk benefit rather than your day-to-day medical savings account. Terms and conditions apply. Our team can assist you with confirming your eligibility and guiding you through the approval process.
Information for referring doctors
Engelbrecht Physio Inc. is an accredited Workability BNAP provider.
Referring doctors play an important role in the programme by:
- Identifying suitable patients with chronic back or neck conditions.
- Completing the BNAP medical assessment to screen for red flags.
- Confirming that the patient is medically fit to participate.
- Collaborating with the physiotherapy team throughout the rehabilitation process when required.
Outcome reports and progress updates can be provided to referring practitioners as part of the patient’s ongoing care.
Take the first step towards better function
Living with chronic back or neck pain does not have to mean accepting ongoing limitations. The BNAP programme provides a structured, evidence-based approach to rehabilitation that focuses on helping you move with greater confidence, improve your daily function and return to the activities that matter most.
Whether you are experiencing persistent pain yourself or have been referred by your doctor, our team is here to guide you through every stage of the programme.
Contact Engelbrecht Physio Inc. today to find out whether you qualify for the BNAP programme and begin your journey towards improved movement and function.
If you need the Doctor’s Assessment Form, click here .