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Goa's Back Pain Reality: 5 Conditions You Shouldn’t Ignore

Every monsoon, Goa's fishing nets get heavier—and so do the herniated discs. Every tourist season, hotel staff lift more luggage, and sciatica cases spike. Every day, a retiree from Mumbai realises their morning walk on Miramar Beach is getting shorter because of back pain.

At Horizon Hospital Goa, our orthopaedic and spine care specialists are committed to identifying and treating the root causes of back pain with precision, technology, and compassionate care.

5 Underlying Back Pain Conditions You Shouldn’t Ignore

1️⃣ Herniated Disc: The Fisherman's Monsoon Injury

Hauling nets in June-September? This is your #1 risk. What happens: A herniated disc occurs when the soft cushion between spinal bones slips out of place, pressing on surrounding nerves. This leads to sharp, radiating pain, especially in the legs.

🔍 Symptoms to watch:

  • Pain that worsens with movement
  • Numbness or tingling down the leg
  • Muscle weakness

2️⃣ Sciatica: The Two-Wheeler Trap

Scooter accidents on Goa's narrow roads compress nerves.What happens: Pain travels from back to leg.

Your sign: Burning pain after even a minor Mapusa-Panjim commute bump.

Dr. Nevagi's approach: After diagnosis, based on the best treatment option like nerve block for instant relief, most patients avoid surgery.

🔍 Symptoms to watch:

  • Sharp pain on one side
  • Burning or tingling in the leg
  • Weakness in the lower limb

3️⃣ Spondylosis: The Retiree's Morning Stiffness

Mumbai retirees in Goa feel this during beach walks.

What happens: Age-related spinal wear.

Your sign: Stiffness that ruins your Miramar beach walk or morning routine.

Our approach, based on our diagnosis, could be a PRP therapy to slow degeneration, which is ideal for elderly patients wanting to avoid surgery.

4️⃣ Spinal Stenosis: The Casino Worker's Pain

Standing all day? The spinal canal narrows.

What happens: Nerves compress, causing leg pain when standing.

Your sign: Pain at your shop counter that only eases when you lean forward.

🔍 Symptoms to watch:

  • Pain while walking or standing
  • Relief when bending forward
  • Numbness or weakness in the legs


5️⃣ Kidney Pain: The Beach Day Dehydration

Goa's heat + alcohol = kidney stones that mimic back pain. Not all back pain comes from the spine. Kidney infections or stones can cause sharp pain on one side of the lower back.

🔍 Symptoms to watch:

  • One-sided lower back pain
  • Fever, chills, or nausea
  • Blood in urine or painful urination

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Ignoring chronic back pain can lead to:

  • Permanent nerve damage
  • Limited mobility
  • Long-term complications affecting quality of life

At Horizon Hospital Goa, we focus on identifying the true source of your pain to offer targeted and effective treatment.

Meet Our Expert Spine & Pain Care Team

Your recovery is in the hands of the specialists, who collaborate to provide personalised, evidence-based care.

In the pic (from left to right) Dr. Harshvardhan Raorane(Spine Surgeon), Dr. Venkatesh Nevagi, Dr. Vishwajit Faldesai and Dr. Neena Faldesai

In the pic (from left to right) Dr. Harshvardhan Raorane(Spine Surgeon), Dr. Venkatesh Nevagi, Dr. Vishwajit Faldesai and Dr. Neena Faldesai

Dr. Venkatesh Atmaram Nevagi - MBBS, MD, Fellowship in Interventional Pain Medicine

Director – Pain Medicine & Spine Clinic

Why patients trust him:

  • 15 years of doing spine pain procedures in Goa
  • 3,000+ nerve blocks & injections—he's seen your exact pain before
  • Fellowship-trained in the latest non-surgical techniques
  • Avoids surgery in most patients through precise injections

What he actually does: "I find the exact nerve causing your pain and treat it with a needle, not a scalpel. Most patients walk out the same day."

Dr. Vishwajit V. Faldesai

MS (Ortho), DNB (Ortho), Ex-Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon, ESI Hospital

Director – Orthopaedics

Why he's the safety net:

  • 25+ years as a government hospital superintendent—he's treated every type of spine case in Goa
  • Reviews every complex diagnosis Dr. Nevagi sees
  • Performs surgery only when absolutely needed—and does it safely
  • Experience over equipment: He can diagnose a herniated disc with an X-ray and a physical exam

What he actually does: "I make sure you actually need surgery. Spoiler: 70% of you don't."

Dr. Neena V. Faldesai

MBBS, MD (Anesthesiology), Certified ATLS Instructor

Director – ICU & Critical Care

Why she matters to spine patients:

  • 25+ years keeping surgery patients safe—especially elderly and high-risk
  • Certified ATLS Instructor—she trains Goa doctors in trauma care
  • 24/7 ICU Director: If anything goes wrong, she's on-site
  • Makes procedures painless: She sedates you for Dr. Nevagi's nerve blocks

What she actually does: "I make sure you survive and recover safely, especially if you have diabetes, heart issues, or are over 70."

This multidisciplinary team works closely to deliver minimally invasive procedures, precision-guided pain interventions, and rehabilitation programmes tailored to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When should I see a doctor for back pain? +
Suppose your back pain persists for more than a week, radiates to your legs, causes numbness or weakness, or follows an injury. In that case, it’s important to consult a spine or orthopaedic specialist immediately.
2. Do spinal problems always cause back pain? +
Not always. Back pain can also be caused by kidney infections, muscular strain, posture issues, or even gynaecological conditions in women. Accurate diagnosis is key.
3. Can physiotherapy help with chronic back pain? +
Yes. Physiotherapy is often the first line of treatment. At Horizon Hospital Goa, our team designs custom rehab plans to strengthen your spine, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
4. Are there non-surgical treatments available? +
Absolutely. Treatments like pain injections, nerve blocks, physiotherapy, and medications are often successful. Surgery is typically considered only if other methods fail.
5. How can I prevent back pain in daily life? +
Maintain good posture, stay active, lift heavy objects properly, and avoid prolonged sitting. Regular stretching and strengthening exercises can go a long way in prevention.

Take the First Step Toward a Pain-Free Life

Don’t let back pain control your routine.

Book an appointment with our orthopaedic or spine care specialists at Horizon Hospital Goa today and reclaim your mobility and comfort.