On 18 July, Singaporean actress Kimberly Chia surprised fans with an Instagram reel showing herself being wheeled into the hospital on a stretcher.
In the video, she revealed the awkward truth behind the incident, admitting:
Embarrassed because how do I tell people I ended up in the hospital because I was brushing my teeth?!
Source: @kimberlychia on Instagram
The 29-year-old explained that she had been experiencing mild, persistent back pain for some time but had brushed it off — until Thursday morning (17 July), when the pain took a sudden turn for the worse.
In her Instagram post, Chia shared that she was preparing for work and brushing her tongue when a gag reflex caused her to jerk forward unexpectedly.
“And that was when I felt something ‘snap’. It was a SHARP pain that made me see stars,” she wrote.
Chia recalled feeling “blacked out but still conscious” at that moment.
She cried out for her husband, who helped her lie down.
Chia with her husband and their 3-year-old son
Source: @kimberlychia on Instagram
Unable to sit up or move due to the pain, the couple decided to call an ambulance.
“I was crying and I couldn’t move. Tried to get up but it hurt so badly,” she said.
At the hospital, Chia underwent an X-ray, which showed no abnormalities.
Doctors ruled out a slipped disc and believed her condition was likely a muscle strain or pull.
“I was given some pretty heavy painkillers but my pain score didn’t drop,” she said.
Unable to move or even sit up, Chia was warded for observation overnight.
In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, she revealed it was her first time riding in an ambulance.
“This was the first time in my life that I rode in an ambulance and the first time being carried out of my own home on a stretcher,” she shared. “I thought I should document it, even though it was very embarrassing at that point!”
Source: @kimberlychia on Instagram
After her discharge, Chia mentioned that while she could walk, she still couldn’t bend or make large movements.
“Turning my body has to be done slowly. I can’t drive either because stepping on the pedals affects my back,” she said.
She is now undergoing physiotherapy and will see an orthopaedic specialist to confirm the extent of her injury.
On 21 July, Chia posted on her Instagram stories that she was “so much better now” and that she would be returning to work the following day.
Source: @kimberlychia on Instagram
Chia explained that she originally recorded the video to send to her husband, who had to rush off to work after helping her into the ambulance.
However, she later decided to share it publicly.
Source: @kimberlychia on Instagram
She was surprised by the number of people who responded, sharing their own experiences of similar injuries, ranging from muscle spasms to nerve compression.
She posted the Instagram reel as a reminder for everyone to be cautious and take care of their backs, emphasising how a small accident could lead to significant inconvenience in daily life.
“This is a sign to take care of your backs people,” she wrote.
Also read: JJ Lin reveals heart condition during concert, continues performing despite apparent discomfort
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from @kimberlychia on Instagram.