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Naomi Chuah

~What Mobility Feels Like in My 40s~ By Nigel Chuah, R.Ac, Registered Acupuncturist



That’s me last Friday at the Houston Trail at Derby Reach.


It’s amazing to me that my mobility in my 40s feels better than it did in my 30s. The aches, the stiffness, the pain that used to limit my movement have greatly lessened, and the reason for this transformation is a combination of holistic treatments and lifestyle changes. One of the most important factors? Acupuncture. I cannot say enough how well acupuncture can help musculoskeletal health.


In my first career as a Senior Software Developer, I spent hours sitting, either at my desk or in meetings, five days a week. It had a physical toll on me. Years of poor posture, constant sitting, and the slight misalignment of using the mouse while resting on the left arm rest gave me significant neck and back pain.


The worst part was the seizing up of my neck muscles - the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles. These muscles would suddenly tighten and cause severe pain, limiting my range of motion. It was painful to do something as simple as shoulder-checking while driving, and it triggered a cascade of other muscles aches as the supporting muscles compensated when my SCMs seized.


Also my back would ache after physical activities. Whether I was snowboarding or playing volleyball, a few hours of exertion would leave me with tightness in my back that caused radiating pain through my torso. Simple movements became more challenging, and limited my movements.


I sought professional help for my healing. I tried acupuncture, physiotherapy, craniosacral therapy, and yoga. All of them collectively helped. Acupuncture needles, in particular, was a game-changer for me. It helped release the tension in my SCM muscles and other areas of my neck and back.


What was better was how the treatments and lifestyle changes (such as going on more walks, yoga, dietary awareness, postural changes) brought me to a place of more resilience in my muscles and joints.


Today, in my late 40s, I truly feel more mobile than I did in my 30s. And it’s great to be able to move without the fear of my neck muscles seizing up or of having pain the next day. These days, I’ve been doing some West Coast Swing dancing, hiking, and yoga. And when I get home, I sometimes enjoy a good library book without the fear of significant aches and pains.


My story with acupuncture and its efficacy is one of the significant reasons I went into this career and I would love to help you find increased mobility and healing from your pain. What would that look like for you?

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