Smoking: The Hidden Fuel Behind Chronic Back Pain, UAE Experts Sound Alarm and Offer Real Solutions. Prolonged Painkiller Use May Harm Kidneys, Warns RAK Hospital Expert.
RAS AL KHAIMAH: Smoking, often associated with lung and heart disease, is now under scrutiny for a lesser-known impact — chronic back pain. In the UAE, where sedentary jobs, rising obesity, and long commutes are common, spine health is deteriorating, especially among adults over 30. Doctors are now warning of smoking’s hidden role in this growing issue.
RAK Hospital experts point to global research, including the UK Biobank study, confirming that smokers are at significantly higher risk of chronic back pain. Smoking weakens spinal discs, reduces blood flow, and delays healing, creating a perfect storm for pain.
Dr Tinku Jose Kurisinkal, Consultant Neurosurgeon at RAK Hospital, emphasises that smoking complicates treatment and hinders recovery. “It’s not just about breathing issues — smoking disrupts the spine’s healing, making even physiotherapy less effective,” he explains. In the UAE, one in five adults suffers chronic pain, impacting productivity and mental wellbeing.
RAK Hospital offers minimally invasive, image-guided treatments that target pain at its root. These include epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation, among others. Most procedures take minutes and require no hospital stay. The hospital also performs advanced treatments like laser discectomy for medium disc herniations.
With a 90% success rate, significantly above global averages, the hospital’s approach combines precision diagnostics, real-time imaging, and customised care. Patients typically report relief lasting six months to several years. One expat remained pain-free for four years after just one procedure.
The hospital also promotes lifestyle changes — including quitting smoking, improving posture, and core strengthening — for long-term relief. Treatments are insurance-covered and accessible, making RAK Hospital a leading centre for advanced pain care in the UAE.
