About RealHealth
RealHealth was founded in 2006 in collaboration with the Sint Maartenskliniek. On this page, you can read more about who we are, how we came to be, and the people behind the programme.
Origin and development
RealHealth is an intensive two-week pain management programme for people with persistent back or neck pain. The programme was originally developed in the United Kingdom by an orthopaedic surgeon and an anaesthesiologist/pain specialist. Since 2006, it has been delivered in partnership with the Sint Maartenskliniek — an internationally recognised centre of expertise for spinal and movement-related care. Within the Sint Maartenskliniek, RealHealth works closely with several departments, including the Pain Treatment Centre. Patients with a Spinal Cord Stimulator (neurostimulator) are also referred to the programme from this centre.
Collaborations with other hospitals
Beyond the collaboration with the Sint Maartenskliniek, RealHealth works with several other Dutch hospitals. Specialists from OLVG (Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam), Jeroen Bosch Hospital (JBZ, 's-Hertogenbosch) and ViaSana (Mill) refer patients to RealHealth. RealHealth also organises on-site intake days at OLVG and JBZ, with practitioners travelling to these hospitals to conduct intake consultations.
The RealHealth team
RealHealth participants are supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team of specialists who work closely together. Each treatment group is guided by a physiotherapist, a psychomotor therapist and a healthcare psychologist. Together, they address all aspects of persistent pain — physical, psychological and behavioural — and support participants step by step throughout the programme.
Practitioners
Secretariat
Leadership team
