"Halfway through the program. The verdict is changing my life."
— Arvind Talwar, 47 · Sushant Lok, Gurgaon
The 'WFH back' epidemic
Chronic lower back pain from years of poor desk ergonomics is now one of the top complaints we see, especially from Gurgaon's IT and consulting professionals. Surgical recommendations for these cases are common — and almost always premature.
Before Orthosist
"Tech consultant, 12-hour days, mostly from home since 2020. Back pain started slow in 2022, became constant by 2024. By early 2025 I couldn't sit for more than 45 minutes. A spine specialist on Sohna Road said 'multi-level disc degeneration, consider surgery in next 2 years'. He didn't recommend immediate surgery — but framed it as inevitable."
"I'm 47. The idea of inevitable spine surgery in my 50s was depressing. I wanted a second opinion that took the long view. Orthosist came up in a LinkedIn post."
The Orthosist Council Verdict
Diagnosis: Chronic mechanical lower back pain with age-typical disc degeneration. No specific surgical lesion. Significant core weakness, hamstring tightness, poor ergonomics.
Surgery required? No — current or future. Surgery is not "inevitable" for this presentation.
Path: 12-week core stability + hip mobility program. Workstation ergonomic redesign. Pain management bridge as needed. Lifestyle adjustments (movement breaks, sleep posture).
Progress (Week 6 of 12)
Workstation rebuilt — proper chair, monitor at eye level, footrest. Basic core program. Pain reduced 20%.
Sitting tolerance up to 2 hours. Hamstring mobility +30%. Sleeping through the night 5/7 days. Painkillers down to "occasionally".
Goal: full sitting tolerance, return to weekend tennis, take-home maintenance program.
"The most important thing they said: surgery isn't inevitable for someone like me. That changed how I thought about the next 30 years of my back."
— Arvind's full story will be published after Week 12.