NeuroWellness · Spine & Neurosurgery, Bengaluru
Comprehensive Spine Care Guide
One trusted hub for anyone dealing with back pain, neck pain, sciatica, a slipped disc or a spinal condition from understanding symptoms to treatment, surgery, prevention and recovery.
#1
Low back pain is the world's leading cause of disability (Global Burden of Disease)
619M+
People affected by low back pain globally in 2020 — projected to exceed 840M by 2050
~60–66%
Lifetime prevalence of low back pain reported in Indian community studies
Most
Spine problems improve without surgery when treated early
Why This Guide Exists
Spine health is one of the most common and most misunderstood health issues
Back and neck pain affect most adults at some point in life, yet the vast majority of cases are not serious and improve without surgery. The goal of this guide is simple: help you understand what your symptoms mean, know the few warning signs that need urgent care, and make calm, well-informed decisions about your spine.
In a city like Bengaluru with long commutes and a large desk-bound IT and corporate workforce back and neck complaints are rising, and often in people under 40. This page brings everything into one place, organised into seven areas so you can go as deep as you need. It is educational content, reviewed by a practising neurosurgeon. For a personal opinion, see Book a Consultation.
START HERE
The 7 Pillars of Spine Care
Everything on this page falls under one of seven areas. Use these as your starting point – each links to a complete, in-depth guide.
Spine Conditions
The diseases and disorders that affect the spine from slip disc to stenosis.
Symptoms & Warning Signs
What your symptoms mean and which ones you must never ignore.
Spine Treatments
From medication and physiotherapy to injections and surgery.
Procedures & Surgery
Every operation explained - MISS, endoscopic, fusion and more.
Prevention & Wellness
Practical, everyday steps to protect your spine including at work.
Investigations & Diagnosis
How spine problems are actually diagnosed MRI, CT, X-ray, EMG.
Patient Resources
FAQs, real patient reviews, articles and further reading.
Talk to a Specialist
Have symptoms now? Get an accurate diagnosis and a clear plan.
The Basics
Understanding Your Spine
Your spine is a stacked column of 33 vertebrae running from the base of the skull to the tailbone, in five regions: cervical (neck, 7), thoracic (mid-back, 12), lumbar (lower back, 5), sacrum and coccyx.
Between the vertebrae sit shock-absorbing discs; behind them runs the spinal canal, housing the spinal cord and nerve roots. Facet joints guide movement, and ligaments and muscles stabilise the column. Because the spine is under continuous mechanical load throughout life, gradual wear is normal – an MRI finding alone doesn’t always mean disease.
Common Spine Conditions
What causes spine problems?
The most common drivers are ageing (natural disc and joint wear), poor posture and “tech neck”, a sedentary lifestyle with weak core muscles, obesity, smoking (reduces disc blood supply), incorrect lifting, falls and accidents, and osteoporosis or family history.
Symptoms & Warning Signs
Local (axial) pain
Confined to the neck or back usually muscular, ligament or joint-related.
Radiating (radicular) pain
Travels down an arm or leg usually a compressed nerve root, e.g. sciatica.
Numbness & tingling
Follows a nerve path; helps localise the affected level.
Weakness
Grip difficulty or foot drop needs prompt review.
Stiffness
Morning stiffness that eases with movement can suggest inflammatory arthritis.
Gait & balance change
Clumsy hands or an unsteady walk may indicate spinal cord compression — see a specialist.
Spine Treatment Options
The Principle
Spine treatment follows a ladder: start with the least invasive option that works. Most conditions respond to non-surgical care. Surgery is a later step, considered only when conservative treatment fails or clear indications exist.
Step 1 · First-line
Conservative Care
- Medication & activity modification
- Physiotherapy & exercise therapy
- Posture & lifestyle correction
Spine Injections
- Epidural steroid injection
- Nerve root block
- Facet joint / radiofrequency
Surgery
- Minimally invasive & endoscopic
- Microdiscectomy, ACDF
- Fusion (TLIF/PLIF/ALIF/XLIF)
Spine Procedures & Surgery, at a Glance
| Procedure | Used for | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Microdiscectomy (MLD) | Sciatica from a lumbar disc herniation | Minimally invasive |
| Endoscopic discectomy | Disc & nerve compression | Keyhole / day-care |
| ACDF / Cervical disc replacement | Cervical disc disease, nerve/cord compression | Front-of-neck |
| TLIF / PLIF / ALIF / XLIF | Lumbar instability, spondylolisthesis | Fusion (by approach) |
| Laminectomy / Laminoplasty | Spinal canal stenosis | Decompression |
| Vertebroplasty / Kyphoplasty | Osteoporotic compression fractures | Cement stabilisation |
Prevention & Spine Wellness
For Bengaluru’s desk-bound professionals, small daily habits make a measurable difference. The essentials:
- Ergonomics: screen at eye level, feet flat, lumbar support, a movement break every 30–45 minutes.
- Beat “tech neck”: hold your phone at eye level; take frequent breaks.
- Core strength: planks, bridges, pelvic tilts 3–4× a week.
- Bone health: calcium, Vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise.
- Sleep setup: medium-firm mattress, neutral-neck pillow.
- Lift smart: bend at knees and hips, keep the load close, don’t twist.
Investigations & Diagnosis
When should I get an MRI for back pain?
Most short-term back pain does not need an MRI. Imaging is recommended when pain persists despite treatment, when there is nerve pain, weakness or numbness, or when red-flag symptoms suggest a serious cause. Diagnosis always starts with a clinical examination.
Clinical Exam
History + physical tests (e.g. straight-leg raise) localise the problem first.
X-ray
Shows bones, alignment, fractures and instability.
MRI
The gold standard for discs, nerves and the spinal cord.
CT scan
Detailed bone imaging, useful before surgery.
DEXA scan
Measures bone density to assess osteoporosis risk.
EMG / NCV
Nerve conduction tests to confirm nerve involvement.
Why NeuroWellness
A specialist-led, surgery-last approach
🩺 Neurosurgeon-led
Spine care led by a neurosurgeon — especially valuable when nerves or the spinal cord are involved.
🧭 Non-surgical first
We explain conservative options before surgery, and only recommend an operation when it's genuinely needed.
🔬 Modern techniques
Minimally invasive, endoscopic and navigation/robot-assisted spine surgery for faster recovery
📍 Two Bengaluru locations
Jayanagar (South Bengaluru) and Kauvery Hospital, Electronic City — with second-opinion consultations available.
What patients say
I have consulted Dr. Ganesh for my mother’s back pain. He is an excellent doctor. I will recommend him for anyone looking for spine specialist.
— Yalaguresh Jorapur, Google
I was in very bad back pain more than year.
After i visited Dr ganesh Veerabhadraiah neuro surgeon spine surgeon. Am really happy with the way I have been treated.the pain and discomfort faded away.thankyou so much sir.
— Yesu Raj, Google
I had been suffering from upper and lower back pain since 2 years.Dr ganesh veerabhadraiah spine surgeon.most caring and understanding
Pain specialist now m alright thankyou doctor
— Pramod M, Google
Frequently Asked Questions About Spine Care
Spine care is the complete management of spine health — from diagnosing and treating conditions like back pain, neck pain, sciatica and slipped disc, to prevention, physiotherapy, minimally invasive surgery and recovery. Most spine problems are managed without surgery.
In most cases, no. The majority of back pain, sciatica and early degenerative disc disease improve with physiotherapy, medication, posture correction and lifestyle changes. Surgery is considered only when conservative treatment fails or clear red-flag signs are present.
Yes. Most disc herniations settle within a few weeks to months with staying active, anti-inflammatory medication and physiotherapy. Surgery such as microdiscectomy is reserved for severe, persistent pain or nerve weakness.
Both treat spine conditions. A neurosurgeon’s expertise is particularly valuable when the spinal cord or nerves are involved. At NeuroWellness, spine care is led by Dr. Ganesh Veerabhadraiah, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon in Bengaluru.
See a spine specialist if back or neck pain lasts more than a few weeks, radiates into an arm or leg, or comes with numbness or weakness. Seek emergency care immediately for loss of bladder/bowel control, saddle numbness, or rapidly worsening leg weakness.
Most short-term back pain does not need an MRI. It is recommended when pain persists despite treatment, when there is nerve pain, weakness or numbness, or when red-flag symptoms suggest a serious cause.
More questions are answered across our spine resources and each condition guide.
Get a clear answer about your spine
If you’re dealing with neck pain, back pain, sciatica, a slipped disc or you’ve been advised to consider spine surgery, an accurate diagnosis and an honest conversation about your options is the right next step.