Dr. Katinka Van Der Merwe, DC

There were many red flags that I chose to ignore before agreeing to treatment with Dr. Katinka Van Der Merwe including: an application form that agreed not to question the doctor's or therapist's treatment methods, a conveyor belt style to treatment (same protocol for everyone) online reviews being removed and business name changes. The treatment ended up causing a new occurrence of pain in unrelated areas of my body that were never affected before the treatment. I was told by Dr. Katinka's representative that I should continue with this treatment or the pain would be permanent. I witnessed many people who did not get well at the clinic, and heard even more stories like mine after I left. The 86% success rate claim does not include the many people who were damaged by treatment here, and had to leave. One size does not fit all. I felt pressured and bullied here if I did not have a good result.

This is the most amazing dr that i have ever come accross. She devotes her life to the study and treatment of the most painful condition known to man. She deals with patients all day who are not the easiest of people sometimes because everyone is in so much pain but she handles everyone with grace and poise and kindness and an amazing sense of humor. She has an amazing relationship with her staff as well as patients and the whole system is great everyone works well together. My daughter has had crps for 5 years and 3.5 years she could not walk or even move a toe. Today she is a happy teenager walking around and loving the life she is achieving with the help of dr katinka. I would highly recommend the Spero clinic if you have crps, eds or gastroparesis.

Going to Dr. Van Der Merwe felt like a waste of my time. When I had appointments with her she was more involved with her cell phone. Could hear her and her family talking badly about patients through the staff breakroom walls. Yells at her staff members in front of patients. Also came to work with a 102 fever and was less then 6 feet from others. Shows up late for her appointments then tell her staff members to shorten there sessions with patients. Then heard that she is not allowing her staff to get the COVID Vaccine. She told the health department her staff doesn't want it. When I have heard that they did want it so they have less chance getting COVID.

I am a CRPS patient under Dr. Katinka's care, and have been highly impressed with her skill and knowledge in dealing with this challenging condition, made even more so since I am pregnant with my first baby, which limits the treatments I am able to undergo. Dr. Katinka has gone above and beyond in working to help me as much as resources allow to get as healthy and pain free as possible in this exciting and challenging time. Her compassionate care is excellent.

Dr Van Der Merwe is thoughtful, knowledgeable, and truly cares about her patients' health.

I am SO grateful to Dr. Katinka for all she has done for me! I have CRPS and came from Colorado to Arkansas to receive treatment from her based on all of the wonderful things I've heard about her and her treatment protocol. It was the best decision I've ever made! Her treatment has helped me more than the 25+ other treatments I've tried for CRPS. She truly cares about each and every patient who comes in the door. I can't thank you enough, Dr. Katinka!

Here I have found a friendly staff that has a great understanding of CRPS and my many other issues. I travel from Houston and go home on the weekends after treatment. I wouldn't do this if I did not see the expected results. I like the clean large office as it was better than any traditional doctor office I have been to. Open minded and knowing that this is not an overnight fix was clearly explained to me. Not sure what the negatve review was about, I have not experienced this.

After 20 years of chronic pain, Ive finally found a Doctor that not only knows how to treat my illness, but understands how it actually feels. Her and her care team are amazing. She has totally changed my life even though I'm not even finished with my treatments. She's caring, warm, and encouraging. I still have rough days, but they are getting fewer and farther apart. The Integrated Health and Wellness Center staff and Doctors use different therapies to help me in my journey to wellness.

Dr K has given me my life back when I felt like there was no hope left. I went into it so scared that her treatment wouldn't help me. I also knew that this was it for me. It was this or nothing. The treatment is a long process, but not having pain like I did, is worth every minute. She is extremely compassionate and she has put everything into helping me. I am not done with my treatment yet, but I wish that I had found her sooner.

I traveled all the way from Texas to see Dr. Katinka. She is warm and friendly, with an attentive bed side manner. Since I have been her patient, my health issues have been improving. I feel better and have been relying less on pain medications. Her office staff is exceptionally helpful and courteous . Dr. K's facility is quite big, and has extremely comfortable chairs and sofas to sit in while you wait. I highly recommend her.

I have had pain for years and seen countless M.D.'s, Chiropractors and Physical Therapists. Some care helped a bit, but my pain would always return. Dr. Katinka was the first doctor who's care has made a significant long lasting difference.

Following my diagnosis of CRPS I had a very difficult time finding effective treatments. Dr. Katinka is very knowledgeable about chronic pain conditions and has a lot of compassion for her patients. I am so happy to say that this is the first treatment that has worked for me. Can't recommend her enough!

Dr. Katinka and her family have helped my quality of life beyond measure. Growing up with migraines and IBS left me feeling hopeless, that it was something I'd just have to live with. I've been off hydrocodone and other major pain relievers for over 8 years now and IBS episodes have all but disappeared. When I found out about my MTHFR gene mutation, she was quick to know exactly what supplements I needed that helped right away. Couldn't recommend her more. Truly grateful to her and her family.

I felt I was not treated right I would never reccomend her