In a video message after undergoing surgery, Shakeela described her experience as painful and expensiveb while advising people to reduce prolonged usage of mobile phone, especially while lying down.
Published Aug 16, 2026 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 16, 2026 | 7:00 AM
Make Us Your Preferred Source on Google
Synopsis: Tamil actress Shakeela has warned against excessive mobile phone use after undergoing cervical spine surgery, saying she spent hours lying down and using her phone. Neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar explains that poor posture and prolonged screen time can contribute to disc problems, while age, sedentary lifestyle and other risk factors also matter.
Tamil actress Shakeela has urged people to limit their mobile phone use after undergoing surgery for a cervical spine problem. She said that spending several hours playing games and watching videos on her phone while lying down had taken a toll on her health.
In a video message after returning from the hospital, Shakeela talked about the surgery she underwent at Medway Hospital near her home and described her experience as painful and expensive.
“Seriously, I’m not joking. For all my children and for everyone, the phone is a useful gadget, but only if you use it as much as necessary,” Shakeela said.
Describing her own phone habit, she said, “I would lie down like this and play games for about four hours. In between, they would wake me up for coffee or tea. I would get up, have my tea, and then go back to the same game. I would keep watching things on YouTube and Instagram.”
Shakeela said she developed a cervical problem due to the habit.
“I have a cervical problem. Something came out from between two of the bones. For that, they have now put a titanium chip and fixed it with screws,” she said.
“Honestly, it is an unnecessary expense. Forget the money, there is also the pain and suffering,” she added.
Neurologists however caution that while prolonged phone use in an awkward posture can contribute to cervical spine problems, it cannot automatically be considered the sole cause of a disc problem.
Also Read: Can lenses slow a child’s worsening eyesight? Experts say yes, but with limits
How phone posture affects the neck
Dr Sudhir Kumar, senior neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, said Shakeela’s description appears consistent with a cervical disc prolapse or slip disc, where a disc in the neck presses on nerves travelling towards the arms. He said the surgery she underwent is a standard procedure routinely performed for such conditions.
He said lying on one side for several hours while looking at a phone can place additional pressure on the cervical spine. The neck is forced to bend towards the side and rotate to see the screen, increasing the load on the discs.
“If somebody is lying on the bed and leaning on the left side and then looking at the phone for three to four hours, the pressure will be more on the left side,” Dr Sudhir said.
Repeated stress over weeks or months can contribute to disc problems, particularly when a person already has age-related disc degeneration.
But Dr Sudhir stressed that other factors need to be considered.
“It is possible that is the main risk factor. Now, is that the only factor? That only she can tell,” he said, pointing to the importance of knowing how long the habit existed and whether there were pre-existing symptoms or degeneration.
Sedentary lifestyle can add to the strain
Age, prolonged sitting, sedentary jobs, genetics, obesity and smoking can also increase the risk of cervical disc problems, Dr Sudhir said.
People who spend several hours working on computers may already be keeping their neck in one position for extended periods. Adding hours of phone use can further reduce the amount of movement the neck gets during the day.
This is why the issue is not simply about mobile phones. The combination of long screen time, poor posture and lack of movement can increase strain on the cervical spine.
Also Read: From kidney disease to organ donation: Why India’s transplant crisis begins long before the waiting list
Keep the phone at eye level
Dr Sudhir recommended keeping phones as close to eye level as possible instead of bending the neck forward or sideways.
Prolonged forward bending while looking down at a phone is commonly referred to as “text neck” or “tech neck”. Side bending can occur when people use their phones while lying down.
For longer viewing sessions, he suggested using a computer where possible because it is easier to maintain the screen at eye level. A phone stand can also help users keep the screen at the right height without continuously holding the device.
He also advised against spending long periods on a phone while lying on one side.
“For a little bit of time is fine,” he said, but prolonged use in that position should be avoided.
Take regular breaks
Dr Sudhir advised people not to use screens continuously for more than 20 to 30 minutes. After that, users should take a short break and move around for a minute or two.
Another option is the 20-20-20 rule: after every 20 minutes of screen use, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives the eyes a break and encourages movement of the neck.
He also recommended regular neck and back exercises, including isometric neck exercises and back-extension exercises, especially for people whose work requires prolonged screen use.
Also Read: A parliamentary panel wants six-month-trained doctors to perform ultrasounds. Impossible, say radiologists
When should you consult a doctor?
The early symptoms of cervical disc problems can include neck pain followed by pain radiating from the neck into the arm, forearm or fingers. Numbness and weakness can occur when nerve compression becomes more significant.
Dr Sudhir said most patients do not require surgery.
“Out of 100 people, 90 people don’t require surgery,” he said. Surgery may be required when pain does not respond to medicines and physiotherapy, or when significant nerve compression causes numbness or weakness.
He also cautioned against assuming that an abnormal MRI automatically means surgery is necessary. Disc degeneration is common with ageing, and some people can have abnormalities on an MRI without symptoms. The decision to operate should depend on the patient’s symptoms and clinical findings, not the scan alone.
Shakeela, meanwhile, said she wanted others to learn from her experience.
“I’m making this as a request. From now on, please avoid giving mobile phones to children. Even you adults should avoid watching these videos for as much time as you possibly can, including my videos. Try to avoid all of it to some extent,” she said.
Her final advice was simple: “Use the phone very, very sparingly. Take care. Take care of your health.”
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
