Richard Feher

About Richard

In the Beginning

After qualifying as a Physiotherapist at Wits in 1998, I applied to the SA Military as a physiotherapist but left to head up physio at Orlando Pirates Football Club. After winning the prestigious Iwisa Challenge, I resigned and went to the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales with the Tongan National Rugby Team as their physiotherapist.

I then started a series of practices in the Virgin Active Sports Clubs. Between starting the group of practices, I took a sabbatical in England assisting Chelsea Football Club players and a number of top athletes in their advanced rehabilitation. A highlight and inspiration was working with renowned Sky Sports journalist and adventurer, Julian Crabtree, in his quest for making impossible missions possible.

The United Kingdom

After leaving the UK, I bicycled around Europe for 6 months climbing erupting volcanoes, running with bulls, cycling the routes of the Tour de France, and playing rugby for London French. I returned to South Africa and started an innovative team approach to neurosurgical, sports, and orthopaedic physiotherapy. After completing my Master’s degree in Sports Physiotherapy I raised money and awareness for the Chris Burger Petro Jackson fund by running the Himalayan Hundred Miler to Mount Everest where I finished 11th. More importantly, it started a project called Rugby Hope, where I visit the families of every paralyzed South African Rugby Player in Southern Africa and assist them with medical matters and rehabilitation.

Working with excellent surgeons and physiotherapists in my team, our work with patients and in the community inspired me to ride solo across Africa on my motorbike raising awareness again for the same charity and the plight of those who are less fortunate than us. I invite you to watch the media on the site to catch a glimpse of this amazing time. After working in hospitals and schools across Africa I returned to join my invaluable team of therapists to lead a charge on creating a superior brand of physiotherapy in Southern Africa.

Another Sports Team

Once again, there arose a need to assist another top sports team. Being part of the Pakistan National Cricket team allowed me to assist Dale Naylor for three years in touring as a physiotherapist again, training cricketers, and reaching the final against Sri Lanka in the Asian Cup in Bangladesh.

Now In South Africa

Currently, I own and manage a series of physiotherapy clinics in South Africa. I have researched chronic lower back pain for my Doctorate at the University of Bath. I have presented the study at the IASP 2018 conference in Boston and hope to use the knowledge gained to assist people with their physical, psychological, and social fight against pain. I continue to live in Johannesburg treating patients, writing, and taking breaks cycling with family and friends. An occasional glass of wine often accompanies my contemplations at the end of the day.

Hobbies- Adventure sports, socialising with excellent people, exercising moderately, cooking, writing, spending time with my wife, children, and dogs.

Areas of interest in physiotherapy- Pain research, chronic lower back pain, biopsychosocial-spiritual needs of patients, neurosurgical and orthopaedic physiotherapy, sports physiotherapy, community charitable projects, psychology.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy WITS, MPhil (Sports Physiotherapy) UCT, Professional Doctorate in Health at the University of Bath (United Kingdom)

Treatment modalities- Massage, Manipulation, Exercise Rehabilitation, Pain neuroscience education, Spinal classes, Acupuncture, Motivation, Meditation.