Actor and YouTuber Shakila has opened up about a recent health scare, revealing that she underwent neck surgery costing Rs 3 lakh after spending long hours on her phone. In a video shared on her YouTube channel, the actor said she would spend hours playing mobile games and watching videos while lying in an awkward position.
Shakila said she is currently recovering and has been advised to wear a neck collar. She also used humour to talk about her experience while warning viewers, particularly parents, about excessive phone use. However, an orthopaedic expert says her experience should not be used to suggest that mobile gaming automatically causes serious spinal problems or the need for surgery.
Shakila reveals how her phone habits affected her health
In her vlog, Shakila was seen at Medway Hospital in Chennai and later spoke about her recovery after returning home. She said Dr Balamurugan performed her surgery and that she currently needs assistance with basic activities, including getting out of bed and eating. The actor recalled spending several hours on her phone every day.
“I used to lie sideways in my bed and play games on my phone for up to four hours straight. I would only get up to have some tea or coffee. After drinking my tea, I’d come back and resume the same game,” she said. She added that she would then spend hours watching reels on YouTube and Instagram. According to Shakila, the prolonged phone use and improper posture eventually contributed to the neck problem for which she required surgery. She also said a titanium screw was used during the procedure after a discharge from her neck caused pain.
She warns parents about excessive phone use
Shakila also used her own experience to send a message to parents and children about spending too much time on mobile phones. “A phone is a very useful object, but do not use it more than necessary,” she said.
She further advised people to use their phones only when needed and avoid spending hours watching unnecessary videos. “Use the phone only for essential things. Avoid watching unnecessary videos, even mine, and watch only useful ones. Otherwise, you will lose Rs 3 lakh and have to endure unbearable pain as well,” she said.
While her comments have sparked discussion around phone addiction and physical health, experts point out that the relationship between prolonged screen use and serious neck conditions needs to be understood carefully.
How can prolonged phone use affect your neck?
Dr Archit Goyal, Consultant & Asst. Prof, Orthopaedics & Spine Surgery, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, said Shakila's experience highlights an important issue because serious neck problems do not always begin with an obvious injury such as a fall or accident. “Media reports said her symptoms developed after prolonged mobile gaming and sustained awkward neck posture. No reports could determine her exact diagnosis, but the mechanism is medically plausible,” Dr Goyal said.
When the head remains bent forward or to the side for long periods, the cervical spine is exposed to sustained mechanical loading. The muscles have to continuously stabilise the head, while the discs, facet joints and supporting ligaments are subjected to repetitive stress.
According to the expert, this can contribute to symptoms such as stiffness, shoulder pain, headaches, a burning sensation between the shoulder blades or pain that travels down the arm.
When should neck pain not be ignored?
Not every episode of neck pain means there is a serious spinal problem. However, certain symptoms can indicate that nerves may also be involved.
Dr Goyal said, “The symptoms we are most concerned about are tingling, numbness, hand weakness, dropping things or less grip strength as these may be related to nerve root involvement rather than just a muscular strain.”
This distinction is important because someone experiencing only temporary stiffness after using a phone may have a very different problem from someone experiencing persistent neurological symptoms.
If pain keeps returning or is accompanied by numbness, weakness or changes in grip strength, it is important to seek medical evaluation rather than simply continuing with the same posture and routine.
Does mobile gaming cause disc disease?
Dr Goyal cautioned against drawing a direct conclusion from Shakila's experience.
“There is an increasing body of research that links prolonged gaming and smartphone use to sustained awkward posture and neck and upper-limb musculoskeletal symptoms. But mobile gaming doesn't automatically lead to disc disease or surgery,” he said.
In other words, the concern is less about the phone itself and more about how it is being used, particularly when someone remains in the same awkward position for extended periods without movement or breaks.
What can people learn from Shakila's experience?
The bigger takeaway from Shakila's experience is not that people should panic about using their phones. Instead, it is a reminder to pay attention to posture, duration of use and early symptoms.
Dr Goyal summed it up by saying, “The take-away from Shakila's case is not to panic but to identify early. Pain is the biomechanical warning; numbness and weakness is the neurological warning. Ignoring either is where a manageable problem can become a serious one.”
For people who spend several hours gaming, scrolling or watching videos, regularly changing position and taking breaks can help avoid keeping the neck in the same strained posture for prolonged periods. Shakila's story also serves as a reminder that a habit that feels harmless in the moment can become problematic when it takes up several uninterrupted hours of the day.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice.
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