About Lifestyle Medicine
SALMA aims to establish and expand the practice of Lifestyle Medicine in South Africa by providing resources, facilitating certification and providing support to its members.
What is lifestyle medicine?
Pillars of change
Physical Activity
Recommendations support 75 -300 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week.
Healthy Eating
Lifestyle Medicine supports the use of a whole food plant-based diet as treatment for lifestyle-related chronic disease, which increases the intake of nutrient dense, antioxidant rich foods.
Stress Management
Mind-body and cognitive behavioral therapies have been associated with improvements in immune function, chronic pain, anxiety and depression.
Avoidance of Risky Substances
The presence of an addiction or risky use doubles the risk of chronic diseases.
Restorative Sleep
The recommended hours of sleep are 7-8 hours each night.
Positive Social Connections
Positive moments of social connection correlate with positive physiological responses.
We are excited to invite you to our October Webinar!
OCTOBER 2026 Webinar
Join us for an informative webinar with Raeesa Essop!
We are delighted to welcome Raeesa Essop as our guest speaker for October’s webinar on The Role of Occupational Therapy in Pain Management, exploring the overlap with the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine.
Raeesa is a qualified Occupational Therapist who graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) in 2010. Driven by her passion for work reintegration, she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Vocational Rehabilitation at the University of Pretoria in 2014.
Throughout her career, Raeesa has gained extensive experience in both the private and public sectors, working across various areas of occupational therapy, including neurological rehabilitation, paediatrics, community outreach, medico-legal work and vocational rehabilitation.
In 2020, she established her own practice, focusing on vocational rehabilitation and pain management. Furthering her expertise in this field, she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Pain Management at the University of Cape Town in 2023.
Raeesa has also made significant contributions to her profession through leadership and professional involvement. She has served on the board of INSTOPP (Institute for Occupational Therapists in Private Practice) and is a longstanding member of OTASA (Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa). She chaired the South Gauteng Branch Committee from 2020 to 2025 and currently serves as Chairperson of the OT Pain Management Group (OTPMG).
Beyond her professional achievements, Raeesa is a wife and mother of three, and enjoys Pilates in her spare time.
We are honoured to have Raeesa share her knowledge and expertise with us.
In this session, you’ll:
1. Define the role and scope of Occupational Therapy
2. Critically appraise contemporary definitions of pain and their relevance to clinical practice
3. Describe key pain mechanisms relevant to persistent and complex pain presentations
4. Recognise pain as a biopsychosocial experience and the unique contribution of Occupational Therapy in addressing functional and occupational impact
5. Identify appropriate referral indicators for Occupational Therapy in patients with pain
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about The Role of Occupational Therapy in Pain Management exploring the overlap with the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine!
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What is Lifestyle Medicine?
WHAT WE OFFER
Education
We provide CPD accredited education for medical and health professionals to support the integration of Lifestyle Medicine into their practices
Certification
Membership
Join the Lifestyle Medicine movement and support us to advocate for a change in healthcare so together we can address the underlying drivers of non-communicable diseases in South Africa.
Find a Certified Lifestyle Medicine Health Professional
Lifestyle medicine certified clinicians have specialised knowledge in the practice of lifestyle medicine. They are trained to apply evidence-based, whole-person, prescriptive lifestyle change to treat and, when used intensively, often reverse chronic conditions including, but not limited to obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
FEATURED ARTICLES
Whats new…
Dietary Fibre: A Simple Strategy with Profound Health Benefits
By Dr Lydia Altini MBBCh DipIBLM NBCHWC “No western disease has been reported to be other than rare or uncommon in communities subsisting largely on foods rich in starch and fibre and low in fat, salt and sugar.” Dennis Burkitt, MD As a medical student, I remember...
Digital Overload: How screen time is disrupting sleep, stress and mental health
By Amanda Oakes-Cornellissen Living in a hyperconnected world In today’s digital age, screens have become inseparable from daily life – used for work, education, social connection, and entertainment. However, what was once a tool for convenience has increasingly...
TLC Calming Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup
TLC Calming Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup (From TLC Lifestyle Medicine and Stress Management 21-day Whole Body Reset Challenge) Sweet Potato soup – a warm, comforting soup made with sweet potatoes, ginger and cumin– all known for their mood boosting properties....
Chocolate Avocado Mousse
There’s something quite luxurious about its simplicity, just a few whole-food ingredients transformed into an indulgent Chocolate Avocado Mousse for you to enjoy. Makes 2 to 4 servings Ingredients: 2 large avocado 3/4 tablespoon of almond milk (or any plant-based...
The Power of Lifestyle Medicine to Restore Health
By Dr David Glass We fall and scrape our knees, and a few weeks later, the scars are barely visible. We slip off a rock and land hard on our chest, breaking a rib. For a few weeks, we have to sleep at night lying propped up in bed because of the pain. But six...
Summer Bean Salad
As the summer temperatures go up, refreshing ingredients and bright flavours become more appealing. This bean salad combines grilled veggies with a herb-filled dressing to make a delicious plant-based bite. Beans of all varieties are a great way to get in plant...