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At 70, Susannah Francesca Maseland, a British national, has no plans of slowing down. Together with her husband, she is looking ahead to longer journeys at sea, with plans to sail thousands of nautical miles from East Africa to Southeast Asia.
For Susannah, life on a boat is more than just an adventure. It is the life she has chosen – and staying active, mobile, and physically capable is an important part of continuing to live it to the fullest.
A Back Injury at 13 and Growing Concerns About Her Mobility
Now living with her husband aboard a boat in Tanzania, East Africa, Susannah is accustomed to a life shaped by constant movement. For her, mobility, flexibility, strength and balance are essential to maintain the lifestyle she loves and preparing for the adventures ahead.
Susannah and her husband’s boat in Tanzania, East Africa.
Susannah has lived with the effects of a back injury since she was 13, along with ongoing spinal issues over the years. As time passed, she began to notice that her body was becoming less flexible, accompanied by symptoms including pain, numbness and restricted movement.
As she and her husband began planning longer voyages, these changes became an increasing concern for Susannah. Being able to move with confidence and physical capability was no longer simply about comfort, it was becoming an important part of preparing for the life she wanted to continue living.
Susannah is currently living on a boat in Tanzania, East Africa.
From Tanzania to Vietnam in Search of the Right Care
Earlier this year, during a trip to Australia, Susannah consulted two doctors about her spinal health. She was advised to seek care early, which prompted her to research her options further.
While exploring healthcare options in Southeast Asia – a region she and her husband already loved and hoped to explore by boat, Susannah came across ACC Chiropractic Clinics.
“I felt confident when I visited ACC’s website. There was so much useful information, and I told my husband, ‘This is where we’re going.’”
Looking Beyond Pain to Understand Her Mobility
Susannah underwent a comprehensive assessment with Dr. Timothy Gallivan at American Chiropractic Clinics (ACC), including a review of her medical history, range of motion, neurological function and diagnostic imaging. The assessment was intended to provide a broader understanding of both her musculoskeletal structure and function.
The findings showed restricted movement across multiple spinal segments and joints, along with symptoms including pain, numbness radiating into her arms and legs, and reduced physical function.
But for Dr. Tim, another part of Susannah’s story was equally important in shaping her care plan: she had a clear functional goal: to continue living on the water and keep sailing.
Rather than focusing solely on her symptoms, her care was therefore considered in the context of what she wanted her body to be able to do in the years ahead.
Susannah is consulting and having treatment with Dr. Timothy Gallivan at ACC.
For every senior, “moving better” can mean something different. For some, it may simply mean being able to go grocery shopping or prepare a meal. For others, it may mean staying active and continuing to exercise. For Susannah, mobility is closely tied to her life on the ocean and her hopes of continuing to embark on longer voyages in the years ahead.
That is why her care plan was not based solely on her current symptoms, but also factored the physical demands of the lifestyle she has chosen and the movements she wants to continue performing.
When Care Is Built Around a Movement Goal
Based on the assessment findings, Susannah’s care plan was personalized around a combination of Chiropractic care, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.
Chiropractic care was used to support joint function and mobility; Physiotherapy was incorporated to help manage symptoms and facilitate movement; while the Pneumex rehabilitation program focused on progressively developing strength, movement control and physical function in line with her individual needs and condition.
Pneumex rehabilitation program – exclusively in South East Asia.
The goal of Susannah’s care, therefore, extends beyond addressing her current symptoms. It also focuses on supporting her mobility and physical function in ways that align with the activities she values and hopes to continue throughout her life.
When Age Doesn’t Have to Define Your Limits
As we age, natural changes in the body are inevitable. However, persistent musculoskeletal discomfort or declining mobility does not necessarily have to mean giving up the activities that bring meaning and enjoyment to life.
As an Expert in Motion, ACC looks beyond treating musculoskeletal concerns alone. Its approach also focuses on supporting older adults in maintaining mobility, physical function and independence so they can continue doing the things that matter to them and spending meaningful time with the people they love.
