The Neurologic Relief Center / The Spero Clinic: Dr. Katinka van der Merwe, DC, QNP — Local services in Fayetteville

Went to Spero clinic and spent seven months and $70,000. I did not improve but got worse. While looking through all of the positives in the reviews I am surprised at 5 stars. I am in touch with many of these people that wrote these stellar reviews while they were there. Many have had their CRPS come back with a vengeance when they left and many, many more did not get remission and didn’t write their honest experience.

I don’t know why those that left without improvement are not telling their story. Maybe they’re embarrassed, maybe they’re too depressed or just have given up?

Realistically two stars would be deserving. And that’s for the morale of the people that work there and the hopeful energy of the people that are giving everything they have to get better.

3-4 Thousand dollars a week ( a week is 4 days of treatment , M-Th) is a lot to consider. Most do not leave at 12 weeks as they keep trying. Some stay for a year. Many run out of money after twelve weeks and have to leave.

Many, many people go through the doors each month. In the seven months I was there I met 45 people. Of those 45 I would say a handful were able to get better. The clinic is a very positive place with a lot of positive people that are kind. My writing this is just my experience. Some do get better. But very few.

One is lucky if they even see Dr. K as she is busy writing books, traveling and doing other promotions. The questions I asked were never answered And if too many ask you or asked to leave. That happened to several people I know. The phrase used by ALL staff is, “we do not diagnose.” They cannot explain How their program works. When it is not working quickly, they recommend you go see other doctors around for other treatments as you have an underlying condition. Maybe Then you can come back. That’s not an encouraging sign right there.

I’ve been to over 50 doctors with this condition and the most discouraging words to hear is I would like you to go see this person. Normally that is because they can’t help. Not that don’t want to.

Spero Clinic is a place to go try if you have the funds. In reality about 15% get full remission and maybe 25% leave with a reduction in their symptoms.

There are others that have come from other parts of the world, mortgaged their homes only to go back home the same way.

Dr. K is a wonderful sales person, and very eloquent communicator. Just not accurate in statistics or proof. NO documentation to support claims. Anything can be said to sound good and bring in business, but where are the documentation? UTube and her site.

I don’t get, or know ANYONE that received a follow- up sheet, when, or after they left. 84% remission? Not documented but it really sounds good and that’s One reason I went. 84% are good odds. However I would not have used most of my retirement money if the More realistic percentage that I saw in 7 mo. was true. If the more realistic % of results were stated, I wouldn’t have gone. You may be one of the 15% to 25% that find remission and I hope you do.

I see below Dr. Katinka responded. I am in contact with at least 12 people now and NONE of us got an exit review or a six month follow-up. Not one . I knew 45 people well that were in the program. 25 I know are still suffering, and others left without ringing the remission bell. A few did.

There are unfortunate stories that I witnessed happen there to friends. One friend being treated did not know that her cancer returned. She rang the bell and died a couple weeks later Christmas Eve. Spero clinic is not to blame but they “do not diagnose “ so everyone is treated equal with the same treatments that are quite painful. There are others also that were unfortunate and didn’t make it.

Not looking to discredit but to bring some truthful facts to not only what I’ve seen but many others that are afraid or ashamed or too angry to tell their story. There are a few successes but the failure rate is far far greater than the successes. 5 star reviews got a free t shirt while there...

I would NOT recommend Dr Katinka Van der Merwe or the NRC. We were there for 5 weeks spent roughly $7000, my daughters full body CRPS pain increased in her care. Patient contract promises to use FSM to reduce inflammation of nerves yet she admits to never having done this. She used the machine on my daughter in such a way that she only increased pain and caused pain in areas that previously had no pain. ARP wave therapy was disastrous. It put my daughter into an incoherent stupor due to inducing excessively high pain. She lost control of her bodily functions and couldn’t open her eyes or form words. She was later chastised by Dr Katinka as if she had thrown a fit and threatened with being removed from the clinic. My daughter has never thrown a fit due to pain, she’s as handled her full body CRPS extreme pain with tremendous grace. She is 11. There is very little privacy and sessions were often interrupted by staff and other patients. Young Living Essential Oils were sold and offered to patients to treat nausea that was induced by treatments. Employees spoke openly how it was profitable to sell essential oils in the clinic. If you do not have a positive experience great lengths will be taken to silence you. A positive outcome does not negate a negative one or vice versus, my daughters experience is just as valid as anyone else’s. We received the promised treatment upon leaving the clinic after 5 weeks. My daughter experienced significant pain reduction, from an 8/10 to a 0/10 and her preciously locked joints and immobile limbs regained function. Allodynia ceased. All from our very first treatment with a DIFFERENT PROVIDER. Upon sharing this with my friends in the typical way on Facebook, I was then threatened with suits of libel by Dr Katinka and her staff. They’ve offered me a partial refund if I will admit that by getting a second opinion I had disparaged her to her collegues. I did not disparage her. They also wanted me to never speak of our medical experience in her clinic or her clinics practices. She has since removed FSM from her clinics but it still works when done correctly. Additionally she provides ARP wave, Piezo wave, Ionic foot baths, vagus nerve adjustments, blood work to address DNA, allergens, toxins, viral load, and any additional supplements that might be needed. She also encouraged many to go through The Lightening Process and it do Brainwave. All of these therapies can be found either locally or without affiliating yourself through NRC. Additionally ARP she charges $400 for 1 hour and requires a $3000 personal unit purchase. Locally you can get the same treatment for $110 per hour, discounts given for package purchase and a personal unit is loaned during the course of treatment as a...

In Jan of 2023, broke my ankle in multiple places requiring extensive surgery. I subsequently developed severe numbness as well as CRPS in my entire lower leg, making rehab quite challenging. Over the course of 5 months I was continuing to make slow progress, I continued to research the best options for full recovery ( being a nurse and also a very close relative had CRPS over 23 years ago).

While I could walk about 4k steps very slowly ( I forced myself to move) and could swim for an hour ( every step and every lap was painful) my gait was off, my hip and back hurt and I spent the rest of the day resting and recovering.

I decided that my best option was to get to the root causes of my pain and I started my healing journey at The Spero Clinic in June 2023- 6 months into my CRPS diagnosis.

From the first day, we began to connect the dots, recognizing that I have spent decades dealing with everything from Chronic EBV to hypermobility issues, to Mast cell activation syndrome and autoimmune colitis all from a dysregulated nervous system and spine issues.

The staff, the precise therapies, and the energy of the entire clinic fully supported my healing. Within two weeks my pain was significantly diminished and my mobility greatly improved to not only my leg, but also my hip bursitis, my back, neck and shoulder pain resolved.

I am especially grateful to Dr. K for her fortitude and vision of bringing hope and health to those suffering with CRPS/chronic Pain. And of course, the Clinic's well trained and experienced staff specifically, my NMR therapist Bailey, My NIN therapists Heather and Tami, and my Lymph therapist Joy, who were instrumental in my recovery.

While I did need to leave after 6 weeks, due to family crisis and unsure if and when I will return, I still have a small amount of foot/leg numbness, I have zero CRPS pain.

After just 6 weeks of very challenging therapies, I am now able to walk over 11K steps without pain in my leg, hip or back, my gut issues are resolving, I have no insomnia and I am continuing to progress and getting back to the walking on the beach swimming, coaching my trauma clients, and being able to take care of those I love.

If you or a loved one are suffering with chronic pain... please know that there are answers, solutions, support, help and HOPE.

It is found in every heart and soul that works at The Spero Clinic... If you found this review it is not by accident, it was a divine intervention to remind you that you are not here to suffer but to be beautiful spiritual gift in this world. May your journey back to...