Where in Dubai
Dr. Subhash Ushakoyala, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon, sees patients with neck pain at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai. Tell him about your work and your day: long hours at a screen, driving or carrying heavy loads all affect the neck. If you have had an X-ray or MRI elsewhere, bring the images and the report.
What is neck pain (cervical spine)?
Neck pain is very common, and most of it gets better within a few weeks. The neck, or cervical spine, is seven small bones stacked on top of each other, with discs between them and muscles around them. Pain often comes from strained muscles, a poor posture held for a long time, sleeping awkwardly or a sudden jolt such as whiplash. With age, the discs and joints wear, which doctors call cervical spondylosis. Sometimes a worn joint or a bulging disc presses on a nerve, and pain, tingling or weakness spreads down the arm. Most neck pain is treated without surgery.
Common signs
- Pain or stiffness in the neck, making it hard to turn your head.
- Pain that spreads to the shoulder blade or down one arm.
- Tingling, pins and needles or numbness in the arm or hand.
- Headaches that start at the back of the neck.
- Neck pain after a fall, a sports injury or a road accident.
How Dr. Subhash approaches it
Dr. Subhash is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon who sees patients with neck pain. He starts by finding the cause: whether the pain comes from the muscles, the joints and discs of the spine, or a nerve being pressed. He checks the strength, feeling and reflexes in your arms, because these show whether a nerve is involved. Most people get better with exercises, posture changes and pain relief, and he explains each step and what to expect.
What to expect
Consultation
He asks when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and whether it spreads into your arm or hand.
Examination
He checks how your neck moves and tests the strength, feeling and reflexes in your arms.
Scans if needed
Most neck pain needs no scan. An X-ray or MRI is used after an injury, when a nerve seems pressed, or when pain does not settle.
Treatment plan
Gentle movement, exercises, posture changes at work and in bed, and pain relief. A physiotherapist can guide the exercises.
Review
He checks your progress and changes the plan if the pain is not settling, or if arm symptoms appear or get worse.
Getting better
Every patient is different. These are typical milestones, not a promise; your own plan comes from your consultation.
- Most neck pain improves within a few weeks.
- Keeping the neck moving gently helps more than keeping it still.
- Pain that spreads down the arm from a pressed nerve can take longer, often weeks to a few months.
- Regular breaks from screens and driving, and a pillow that keeps the neck level, help stop it coming back.
Risks to know about
- Wearing a neck collar for a long time can weaken the neck muscles, so it is rarely advised for ordinary neck pain.
When to book a visit
Book a visit if neck pain or stiffness has not gone after a few weeks, or keeps coming back. Book sooner if pain, tingling or numbness spreads down your arm, or your hand feels weak. Go to emergency care straight away after a serious injury such as a road accident or fall, or if you have weakness in both arms or legs, trouble walking or balancing, or a high fever with a stiff neck.
Where to book
Dr. Subhash sees patients at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, in north-east Dubai. The clinic is at Shop No. 4, next to the Grand Excelsior Hotel.
Grand Infinity Medical Center
Shop No. 4, next to Grand Excelsior Hotel, Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
DirectionsCall +971 58 599 7460WhatsApp
Questions patients ask
Can long drives in Dubai traffic cause neck pain?
Sitting in one position for a long time can. Adjust the seat and headrest so your head rests upright, and take short breaks to move your neck on long journeys.
Is neck pain from using my phone or laptop?
It can be. Holding the head bent forward for hours loads the muscles and joints at the back of the neck. Raising the screen to eye level and taking regular breaks often helps.
Do I need an MRI for neck pain?
Not usually. Most neck pain gets better without a scan. An MRI helps when a nerve seems to be pressed, after a significant injury, or when pain does not improve with treatment.
Why does my arm tingle when my neck hurts?
The nerves to the arm leave the spine in the neck. If a worn joint or a bulging disc presses on one, you can feel pain, tingling or numbness along the arm. An examination shows which nerve is involved.
Book an appointment
His nurse answers the phone and WhatsApp.