16/09/2026
On 6 Sep 2026, our community held a body-mapping exercise. Members of our migrant community marked where they felt pain on a body chart, and shared what they believed caused it.
A welder spoke first. Years ago, back pain became so painful that he returned to Bangladesh for almost three months. After sitting for just a few minutes, he needed to hold on to something to stand straight again. A scan showed a nerve issue. Doctors prescribed medicine and physiotherapy, where he learned a simple stretch: hug one knee to the chest, count to ten, then switch legs.
The stretch helped. After returning to Singapore, he found a medicated oil online and used it for several days. He believes the oil cleared the pain, which he says has not returned for almost two years. He now keeps a bottle with him and tells friends about it when they complain of back pain.
His story encouraged others to share what they had learned through their own experiences. They asked him questions about his recovery and exchanged advice about what had helped them. We made space for this peer knowledge while our physiotherapist provided practical guidance.
One worker marked a shoulder pain. Turning his arm or reaching behind his back now causes pain. Another linked years of lower-back pain to sewing garments for 10 to 12 hours a day and carrying heavy water containers. When he demonstrated how he lifts by bending from the waist, a volunteer showed him another technique: widen his stance, keep his back straight, and squat instead of bending forward.
A domestic worker of 16 years marked her knees and shoulders. Standing for hours to cook and clean strained her knees, while kneading bread strained her shoulders. Her experience showed how domestic work can place many of the same demands on the body as welding or construction: long periods in one position, heavy lifting, and too little rest.
Advice continued around the room. A volunteer described an old joint injury and said that strengthening the surrounding muscles had stopped the joint from slipping out again. The welder and our physiotherapist agreed on one rule for stretching: move slowly, stay within a comfortable range, and never force a movement that hurts.
Our volunteer physiotherapist then led the group through stretches before meeting several workers individually. We are considering adding small physiotherapy sessions to our group support for workers who want them.
Interested? Message us.
