Announcing American Spine Center’s Expansion at Dubai Healthcare City

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015

American Spine Center today officially inaugurated its new unit to cater to increasing demand in spine-related conditions in the UAE.

Dubai, U.A.E – March 30, 2015: American Spine Center today officially inaugurated its new unit to cater to increasing demand in spine-related conditions in the UAE.

After barely four years of operation at Dubai Healthcare City, the world’s largest healthcare free zone, the Center, recognized as pioneers for treating back pain without surgery, highlighted the rise in spine related and chronic pain conditions.

Since its establishment in the free zone, the Center has received nearly 5,000 patients who have been treated with an overall success rate of 86 per cent. Last year alone, American Spine Center has witnessed 89 per cent increase in the number of patients.

The American Spine Center is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America, where the practice also operates its primary (and first) Center of Excellence and Research Center for the treatment of spine pathologies and spinal injury. The DHCC-based branch too has multidisciplinary, board-qualified physicians and therapists.

The inauguration took place in the presence of officials from the Center, Dubai Healthcare City, and medical professionals, and associates.

Dr. Hisham Hakim, Chairman of American Spine Center in the USA and the region stated
“As per international figures, 65% of population has acute or chronic back pain. American Spine Center acts as a one-stop shop for people living with back pain.”

He explained that the comprehensive approach to treating this pain includes Pain Management, Decompression Machines along with Physiotherapy. All this is maintained by individually customized wellness and nutritional programs. He added, “American Spine center’s non-surgical protocol for back pain has an overall success rate of 86%.”

Dr Wajdi Al Daghma, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Healthcare City, said, “Quality healthcare and increased specialization is definitely a shared responsibility.”

“Expansion of specialized services indicates current demand from residents and medical tourists. We, as Dubai Healthcare City, make every effort to increase access to specialists, thereby helping improve patient outcomes,” he said, adding, “Our capacity plan, supported by a strong regulatory framework, takes into account all areas of healthcare and wellness services. Currently we have more than 90 specialties and are studying other disciplines.”   

Dr. Hassan Sheikh, the Medical Director of American Spine Center emphasized the importance of getting an accurate diagnosis. He said, “Diagnosis is critical because different diagnoses will require different treatment approaches; the sooner an accurate diagnosis is made, the sooner the patient can improve his or her ability to enjoy everyday activities.”

Back pain can be acute, sub-acute, or chronic.

• Acute back pain develops suddenly and lasts up to several weeks, which is the most common type of back pain.
• Sub-acute back pain is pain that lasts up to three months.
• Chronic back pain can begin abruptly or gradually, but it lasts longer than 3 months.

Back pain can occur in any area of the back, but it is more common in the lower part, which supports most of the body's weight.

International expansion into other GCC regions like Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar are scheduled to follow.

The Center has successfully treated patients for spine diseases, including: Disc Herniation, Bulging Disc, Disc Compression and acute or chronic conditions of the spine. American Spine Center also treats other conditions like Facial Pain, Cancer Pain, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Post-Surgical Pain, Post Herpetic Neuralgia, Facet Pain, Fibromyalgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Sciatica, Extremity Pain, Arthritis, Whiplash, Orthopedic Conditions and much more. The Center also offers Nutrition and wellness services to ensure complete rehabilitation of the patient.  

American Spine Center’s mission is to establish a region wide coordinated care system that provides complete multidisciplinary medical protocols based on thorough clinical examination and diagnostic methods.