My Visit to Synapse Spine — Reporting on a Leading Backache Specialist in Mumbai
- Pooja Vishwakarma
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
As a medical journalist, I walked into the offices of Synapse Spine with a simple aim: evaluate firsthand why it is often referenced as a go-to for chronic spinal problems and lower back pain. I was particularly interested in assessing whether Synapse truly functions as a trusted backache specialist in Mumbai — from diagnostics to patient care, technology, and follow-ups. My walk through, interviews with staff, and review of their publicly available information gave me a grounded perspective on what patients might expect.
Who is Behind Synapse Spine — Qualifications, Experience & Clinic Setup
Synapse Spine presents itself as one of the Top Spine Specialist in Mumbai clinics, staffed by a diverse team of board-certified spine surgeons, neuro-spine experts, orthopaedic spine specialists, physiotherapists, and pain-management professionals.
According to their website, the doctors affiliated with Synapse have trained at premier medical institutes in India and abroad. This combination of local and international training, along with ongoing involvement in academic teaching and research, positions Synapse among the recognised Best Spine Surgeons in Mumbai.
During my visit to their Borivali clinic — one among multiple branches across Mumbai and its suburbs — I observed a well-maintained, modest but functional setup. The clinic offers a multidisciplinary environment: consultations, diagnostics, physiotherapy space, and scheduling provisions for non-surgical or minimally invasive procedures.
Synapse Spine’s stated philosophy emphasizes that most spine issues can be addressed without surgery — prioritising non-operative care, pain management, physiotherapy, and only resorting to surgery when necessary. That approach felt responsible, especially given how common spinal complaints are in a busy city like Mumbai.
Your spine deserves expert hands — where precision meets compassion
Dr. Nandan Marathe – Orthopedic Spine Specialist, Vasai
Dr. Nandan Marathe is an experienced orthopedic and spine surgeon with international fellowships from Canada, Italy, Korea, and the USA. He specializes in complex spine, deformity, and minimally invasive surgeries. Managing Synapse Spine Clinics in Virar, Vasai, and Malad, he’s also a noted researcher with 140+ publications in reputed journals.
Dr. Anuj Bhide – Spine Specialist, Andheri/Vile Parle
Based in Andheri, Dr. Anuj Bhide is widely recognized for his patient-focused spine treatments and honest communication. With 300+ positive Google reviews (4.8 rating), he’s trusted for managing chronic back pain and offering tailored surgical and non-surgical spine care solutions.
Dr. Ajit Mishra – Spine Specialist, Borivali
Dr. Ajit Mishra is a respected spine surgeon in Borivali known for his empathetic approach and expertise in spinal tumor surgeries. He focuses on accurate diagnosis and often recommends non-surgical treatments first, ensuring patients receive personalized and ethical care.
Dr. Aditya Raj – Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, Mumbai
Dr. Aditya Raj holds fellowships from AO Spine North America, University of Toronto, and Samsung Medical Centre (Korea). His areas of expertise include scoliosis correction and complex spine deformities. Recipient of the Asia Pacific Spine Fellowship (2020), he’s known for precision and patient-centered care.
Dr. Abhishek Kulkarni – Spine Surgeon, Mira Bhayandar
Dr. Abhishek Kulkarni is an orthopedic and spine specialist skilled in minimally invasive spine procedures for disc and degenerative conditions. His approach emphasizes quicker recovery, reduced discomfort, and sustainable results for long-term spinal health.
Dr. Medha Vyas – Spine & Neurosurgeon, Goregaon
Dr. Medha Vyas, trained at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, is a dynamic spine and neurosurgeon known for her modern, evidence-based techniques and compassionate patient care. She represents a new generation of skilled, research-driven specialists.
Dr. Kunal S. Singh – Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon, Malad
Dr. Kunal Singh specializes in endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgeries. Focused on faster recovery and minimal hospital stay, he uses advanced surgical planning and rehabilitation strategies to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
Dr. Omkar Mahendra Shirke – Neurosurgeon & Spine Specialist, Mumbai
Dr. Omkar Shirke is an MCh Neurosurgeon with expertise in advanced spine and brain surgeries. Trained at top Indian institutions, he’s recognized for his precise surgical skills and calm, patient-oriented approach to complex spinal cases.
Dr. Navnath Jawale – Orthopedic & Spine Surgeon, Mumbai
Dr. Navnath Jawale (MS Ortho, KEM Hospital) is a dedicated spine surgeon currently pursuing a Clinical Fellowship in Spine Surgery at Synapse Spine. He focuses on advanced, evidence-based spine treatments with a goal of safe and effective patient recovery.
What Synapse Spine Treats — Range of Spine Conditions & Services
Synapse Spine handles a wide spectrum of spinal and back-related conditions, including but not limited to:
Sciatica, slipped disc, radiculopathy, herniated disc, degenerative disc disease
Low back pain (acute or chronic), neck pain, spondylosis, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis
Spinal cord injuries, spinal infections or tumors, spinal deformities, and other degenerative spinal disorders
Services offered comprise:
Non-surgical treatments: physiotherapy, pain-management injections (root/facet blocks), medication, lifestyle and postural guidance.
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS), endoscopic spine surgery, micro-discectomy, endoscopic discectomy — when surgery is unavoidable.
Comprehensive diagnostics and customized treatment plans: imaging, neuromonitoring, use of advanced surgical tools (e.g. operating microscope, ultrasonic bone scalpel) when required.
This breadth makes Synapse Spine stand out among clinics offering holistic spine care rather than fragmented services — which is a hallmark of a competent backache specialist in Mumbai.
Benefits & Risks of Spine Treatments at Synapse Spine
Benefits
Non-surgical first approach: Many patients with back pain benefit from physiotherapy, pain management, lifestyle correction — avoiding surgery altogether. This conservative approach helps reduce risks, costs, and recovery time.
Minimally invasive options when needed: For conditions like herniated discs or nerve compression, endoscopic or micro-discectomy offers targeted intervention with smaller incisions, less tissue damage, and quicker recovery compared to traditional open spine surgery.
Comprehensive diagnosis and personalised care plans: The multidisciplinary team — surgeons, physiotherapists, pain specialists — allows individualised treatment rather than a one-size-fits-all method, improving chances of long-term relief.
Accessibility and multiple locations: With clinics spread across Mumbai and suburbs (e.g. Borivali, Mira-Road, Andheri, Bandra, Vasai, etc.), patients have greater access without excessive travel burden.
Expertise from recognized spine professionals: Given their credentials and training, the surgeons at Synapse Spine are well-equipped to handle both routine and complex spine cases.
Risks & Challenges
Surgical risks when intervention is required: Even with minimally invasive techniques, surgery carries inherent risks — infection, bleeding, nerve damage, anesthesia-related complications, or failure to relieve pain.
Variability in patient response: Success depends on the individual’s condition, severity, anatomy, adherence to physiotherapy and aftercare — not all cases may respond equally.
Need for long-term commitment: Chronic spine issues often require ongoing physiotherapy, lifestyle changes, posture correction to prevent relapse — not a one-time fix.
Resource and consultation availability: Given multiple branches and many patients, follow-up care and physiotherapy slots may sometimes be stretched; patients need to coordinate carefully.
Approximate Cost Range
Synapse Spine does not publicise a fixed fee schedule publicly (at least not on the sections I reviewed). As with most spine-care clinics, the cost depends heavily on:
Type of treatment: conservative therapy vs. minimally invasive surgery
Diagnostics required (imaging, neuromonitoring, etc.)
Need for physiotherapy, injections, follow-up sessions
Complexity of the spine condition (simple disc bulge vs. degenerative disc disease / spinal stenosis / deformity)
As a rough expectation: routine consultations, physiotherapy and pain management may be relatively affordable, while minimally invasive surgery (endoscopic discectomy, micro-discectomy) and associated care would increase costs — but likely still remain moderate compared to large tertiary private hospitals, given Synapse’s positioning as a clinic network rather than luxury hospital.
For accurate pricing, a consultation — along with appropriate diagnostics — remains necessary.
Precautions & Aftercare Guidance Shared by Spine Experts at Synapse
During informal discussions with staff and referring to Synapse’s publicly shared treatment philosophy, several precautions and aftercare strategies emerged:
Start with conservative therapy: For many patients with back pain or early disc issues, physiotherapy and lifestyle modification (posture, ergonomics, weight management) may resolve or significantly reduce pain without surgery. This reduces unnecessary surgical risk.
Adherence to physiotherapy & rehabilitation plan: Post-surgery or even for non-surgical cases, structured physiotherapy, strengthening exercises, posture training, and ergonomic advice are key to long-term spine health.
Follow-up and monitoring: Regular follow-ups to assess nerve function, pain relief, potential complications — especially for minimal invasive surgeries where realignment and healing are critical.
Patient education — understanding limits and realistic outcomes: The team emphasizes counselling patients on what surgery can and cannot achieve; spine health depends on multiple factors and requires realistic expectations.
Lifestyle and ergonomic changes: Given urban lifestyles, sedentary habits and poor posture contribute to spine issues — patients are guided on posture correction, proper sitting/standing practices, and spine-friendly habits.
This comprehensive approach — from diagnosis to aftercare — reflects a commitment to sustainable spine health rather than quick fixes.
My Observations: Why Synapse Spine May Matter in Mumbai
From what I observed, Synapse Spine — with its team of experienced spine surgeons, advanced diagnostics and treatment options, and a philosophy that gives precedence to conservative care — represents a balanced and responsible option for anyone seeking a backache specialist in Mumbai. By offering access across multiple locations and combining non-surgical and surgical care, they make spine treatment more accessible and personalized.
Especially for chronic back pain sufferers, early intervention through physiotherapy and lifestyle adjustments, guided by trained professionals, could prevent progression to severe spine disorders. For cases needing surgery, the availability of minimally invasive options offers the possibility of relief with reduced recovery burden compared to traditional open surgeries.
That said, success is not guaranteed — outcomes depend heavily on individual factors, adherence to aftercare, and realistic expectations. As with any medical intervention, transparency, patient education, and commitment to follow-up are crucial.
If you’re dealing with persistent back pain, nerve discomfort, or spinal issues — and seeking care from a reputed spine care team — a consultation at Synapse Spine might be worth considering.
Let’s work towards healthier spines and better mobility. If you have queries, want to discuss your symptoms, or think about scheduling a consultation, Synapse Spine is reachable at:
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