AMERICAN SPINE CENTER
Dr. Hisham Hakim started his first treatment center in Sylacuaga Alabama USA in 1991. Five years later, the current headquarters, which also operates as a primary research center for the treatment of spine pathologies and spinal injury was established in Birmingham Alabama USA. Recognized as a center of excellence and a pioneer for treatment of spine pathology since 1991, American Spine Center is has brought its expertise to the Gulf Region with a center in Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City and in Oman. Having treated thousands of patients through the use of the Center’s own custom-designed and unique non-surgical medical treatment protocol, American Spine Center has achieved excellent results consistently for its patients.
Dr Hisham Hakim
MD, MPH, FAADEP
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Specialized in Neurology with special expertise in non-surgical treatment for back pain.
Dr. Hakim obtained his medical degree from Aleppo University, Faculty of Medicine in Syria and finished his neurology training from University of South Alabama, USA. He also spent two years pursuing a fellowship in neuromuscular diseases from University of Madison in Wisconsin, USA. He obtained another academic degree in Master of Public Health at University of Illinois in Chicago. In 1990, he obtained his Board Certified in Neurology.
Dr. Hakim has established Greystone Neurology center in Birmingham since 1991. He is one of the founders of Greystone Neuroscience Center which is the largest neuroscience center privately owned in State of Alabama. He is the founder of American Spine Center in USA and he is the Chairman of American Spine Center internationally. Dr. Hakim has vast experience in neurology for 25 years with special expertise in comprehensive non-surgical treatment for back pain.
Dr. Hakim has multiple international organizations and he is one of the members of the task force in USA to lower disability from back pain by 10% by year 2025. Dr. Hakim spoke in multiple international conferences on his expertise in this field and provided educational and training program to health care providers in USA.
Dr. Hakim’s vision is the inspiration behind the success of American Spine Center Internationally.
Dr Hisham Hakim
Neurologist, Chairman & Founder
Dr Akram Rehman
Board Certified Pain Medicine Specialist
Dr Akram has extensive training in treating spine and other musculo-skeletal pain problems. His areas of expertise are
- Back & neck pain
- Sciatica
- Carpal Tunnel
- Shoulder, hip & knee problems, etc.
He addresses conditions with focused physical therapy, decompression therapy and appropriate epidural, facet, and other injections in order to help eliminate/ manage the pain. He also is proficient at EMG’s & NCV’s.
With his experience working with Orthopedic and Neurosurgeons, he can treat, most general non-operative painful conditions conservatively yet knowing when to refer the patient to the appropriate surgeon for orthopedic/ spine surgery.
Dr. Rehman’s mannerisms & skills as a Rehabilitation & Interventional Pain specialist makes him a great first option as a specialist who can manage everything from initial treatment, to focused Physical/ Occupational therapy prescriptions, and injections for the best possible outcome.
Dr Akram Rehman
Pain Medicine Specialist
Dr Richard White
Dr. White is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Subspecialty Certificate in Orthopedic Sports Medicine.
He has been in practice in the USA for over 20 years.
Dr. White received his medical degree from University of Arkansas. He completed his fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine at Baylor Sports Medicine Institute in Houston, Texas. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Shriner’s Hospital in St. Louis and University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia.
Dr. White’s sports medicine experience includes service as a team physician for:
- Stephen’s College, Columbia, MO
- University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
- Sports Advantage High Schools, Mexico, MO
- WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment, Columbia, MO
- Northeast Missouri Cyclones, Mexico, MO
- Assistant Team Physician for
- Houston Texans (NFL)
- Houston Astros (MLB)
- University of Houston (NCAA)
Dr Richard White
Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Consultant
Dr Martin Hubscher
German Board-Orthopedic Specialist
Dr. Martin studied Human Medicine from Ludwig-Maximillian University, Germany and Specialized in orthopedics from the orthopedic department Bogenhausen, Germany. He also studied Sports Medicine, Chiropractic, Acupuncture from Bavarian Medical Association, Munich, Germany.
Dr. Martin has been trained and certified in treating Orthopedic & Trauma conditions with almost 25 years of experience in well-known hospitals of Germany and Canada. He also specializes in Shoulder and Knee conditions.
Dr. Martin speaks English, German, French & Spanish.
Dr Martin Hubscher
Orthopaedic Specialist
Dr Sajjad Ali
Neurologist
Specialised in Clinical Neurophysiology
Dr. Ali’s special interests include Clinical-Electrodiagnosis of neuromuscular problems including nerve entrapment neuropathies (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), cervical and lumbosacral radiculopathies, traumatic nerve injuries, facial nerve palsy (Bell’s Palsy) and diabetic neuropathies.
Other research and special interests include electrodiagnosis of neuromuscular transmission (single-fiber electromyography), EMG-guided Botox injections for spasticity, neuro-intraoperative monitoring and sleep studies.
At American Spine Center Dr. Ali’s medical services include the following:
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS) / Electromyography (EMG) – entrapment neuropathy: carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve), traumatic nerve injuries, brachial plexopathy, cervical and lumbosacral radiculopathy, Bell’s palsy and diabetic neuropathy.
- Repetitive Nerve Stimulation (RNS) – neuromuscular junction disorders (Myasthenia Gravis)
- Blink Reflex Testing
- EMG-guided Botox injections
Dr Sajjad Ali
Neurologist
Dr Ines Bayarassou
General Practitioner
Dr. Ines Bayarassou is a German qualified doctor with several years of experience in the treatment of back, neck and other chronic pain.
Since 2012, Dr. Ines is working as a General Practitioner in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC).
Dr. Ines successfully completed her academic studies in France and Germany where she gained extensive experience in several health departments such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Primary Care and General Surgery. Her Licensure as a Physician was obtained from the University of Cologne-Germany.
Dr. Ines develops a personalized program that begins with a comprehensive history, evaluation, physical testing, and diagnostic screenings. Dr. Ines stabilizes the patients prior to and after back and neck pain treatments.
Dr. Ines Bayarassou speaks English, French, German and Arabic fluently.
Dr. Ines medical services include the following procedures:
- Patient education and preventive health care, Physical exams
- Providing skilled health assessment, diagnosis and treatments to patients to obtain a healthy spine and neck
- Treatment of internal disorders & chronic disorders, such as spine & neck chronic pain, hypertension, diabetes and problems of the lung, kidney and gastrointestinal tract.
- Metabolic Wellness and Weight Management
- Functional Medical Testing such as: Toxic /Nutrient deficiency, Food Intolerance Testing, Adrenal Stress.
- Diagnostic and Treatment of sleep disturbances and disorders
- Full spectrum of adult medicine for men and women, Hormone Restoration.
- Adult and Child immunizations, Vaccination for travelers and residents
Dr Ines Bayarassou
General Practitioner
Dr. Theodore Belanger
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Dr. Belanger is an orthopedic spine surgeon, specializing in the surgical treatment of sciatica, nerve pain, stenosis, disc herniations, spinal instability, spinal deformity, scoliosis, spine tumors, and spinal cord compression. He has special expertise in complex revision spine surgery, salvaging those that have had prior spinal surgery who have experienced failure, recurrence, or progression of their disease. After completing undergraduate and medical school training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he completed orthopedic surgery residency training in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and completed a spine surgery and spinal cord injury fellowship in 2002-2003 under the direction of Dr. Henry Bohlman at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a partner physician at the prestigious Texas Back Institute in Dallas, Texas. He is the Medical Director of the Complex Spine Surgery Program at Medical City Plano Hospital, in Plano, Texas. His practice focuses on advanced surgical techniques, including complex revision and spinal deformity surgery, as well as minimally invasive and motion-sparing non-fusion surgical strategies, including artificial disc replacement.
Dr. Belanger is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He is also a member of the Scoliosis Research Society, and the Cervical Spine Research Society, which are both prestigious international organizations dedicated to the advancement of spine care and spine research. He has served as a mentor to other surgeons, having been consistently involved with training orthopedic and neurosurgical residents, as well as spine surgery fellows, throughout his practice career since 2003. He has presented at national and international spine meetings and has contributed book chapters and original research articles to the body of published literature about spine surgery. Dr. Belanger has also been the lead physician for an ongoing medical mission to Ethiopia since 2010 through the Conscience International Ethiopia Project, focused on providing advanced spinal surgery to some of the neediest people on Earth. His charitable spine work has received local and regional media attention, and he has received the 2016 Frist Humanitarian Award in recognition of this effort.
Dr. Belanger’s goal is to perform a thorough and accurate assessment of each patient’s condition, and to suggest the most appropriate care available to benefit his patients. If surgery is appropriate, he relies on a wide variety of skills and techniques to offer his patients the procedure that is the most suitable to their needs, including the most up to date and cutting-edge technology and procedures.
Dr Theodore Belanger
Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
Mrs. Lama Al Naeli
Regional Director – Health & Nutrition
Lama Al Naeli is a nationally known Nutritionist and clinical dietitian having several years of extensive experience in nutrition, health, wellness and natural living. She did her bachelors in Food Engineering from Syria followed by Masters in Health & Nutritional Sciences from California, USA. She managed & attended wellness clinics in Syria then in UAE and through the power of nourishment she could change people’s live all over the world.
She is pursuing her ambition of “Let your food be your medicine” through her comprehensive writing, print & electronic media presence, personal appearances and private practices. She has a unique way of using mix methodologies, latest recent medical technologies and lab tests to customize the Wellness programs for her patients (i.e. Medical weight management).
Besides being the Brand Health Ambassador for Nestlé, She is the official Health and Diet Speaker for more than 10 local and International TV & radio channels including MBC Group TV, Sky News Arabia, and Dubai TV. Her weekly columns in Arabic magazines and newspapers along with her daily social media postings are followed by thousands of people from the region. Besides attending many international conferences in the Health & Nutrition field, Lama Al Naeli holds the honor of being the keynote speaker in different national conferences.
She is a member of American Dietitian Association & Canadian Diabetes Association. She is actively involved in different medical awareness campaigns and holds the title of Health advisor for Down Syndrome Association and Autism Association.
Mrs Lama Al Naeli
Regional Director – Health & Nutrition
Tala Al Nazer
Ms. Tala Al Nazer is a Clinical Dietitian and Nutritionist with several years of experience in the field of medical nutrition therapy and wellness.
Ms. Tala joined the Wellness By Design team a year ago handling the nutrition department at American Spine Center located in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC).
Ms. Tala has an extensive background in the relation between nutrition and back pain, neck pain, osteoporosis, spine injuries and other musculoskeletal conditions which are related to hormone imbalances, vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as Vitamin D, Calcium, Potassium and Manganese.
Ms. Tala works closely with the Doctors and Physiotherapists at American Spine Center to tailor treatment plans that address the needs of each patient. She assesses patients using the body composition analysis machine which is the only machine of its kind in the GCC region.
In addition to conditions related to wellness, weight management, back pain, neck pain and spine injuries Ms Tala also provides treatment for Chronic and Autoimmune diseases, Gastrointestinal and Digestive disease, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Food Allergies/Intolerance, and Non-surgical Slimming and Re-Shaping Machines.
Tala Al Nazer
Nutritionist
Hadel Radwan
Hadel got her Bachelor Degree in Physical Therapy in 2007 and Master degree in physical therapy in 2015 from faculty of physical therapy – Cairo University- Egypt. She has 8 years of experience working as a physiotherapist in Egypt and Dubai.
Languages Spoken: Arabic and English.
Hadel Radwan
Physiotherapist