This year has really shot by – it’s almost time for World spine day once again! This year, we’re focusing on bringing attention back to the issue of spinal pain. After years of struggling with covid, it’s time to take a moment to remember just how big an issue spinal issues are worldwide.
What’s world spine day?
Taking place on October 16 each year, World Spine Day highlights the burden of spinal pain and disability around the world. With health professionals, exercise and rehabilitation experts, public health advocates, schoolchildren and patients all taking part, World Spine Day is one of the few awareness days which is truly celebrated on every continent.
World Spine Day highlights the importance of spinal health and well being. Promotion of physical activity, good posture, responsible lifting and healthy working conditions will all feature as people are encouraged to look after their spines and stay active. This is more important now than ever, since an estimated one billion people worldwide now suffer with spinal pain. It affects people across the life course and is the biggest single cause of disability on the planet. Effective management and prevention is therefore key and this year’s World Spine Day will be encouraging people to take steps to be kind to their spines.
BACK2BACK
Each year, world spine day has a different theme and focus – and this year its “BACK2BACK”.
According to the organisers, the theme reflects the need to reset and refocus on spinal pain and disability as part of the global burden of disease – this seems especially relevant given all the focus we’ve put on COVID-19 over the last few years. With a bit of luck, the fight against COVID-19 is nearing it’s end, but the fight against spinal pain and disability goes on!
This World Spine Day, the objective is therefore to call for action to focus on the global burden of spinal disorders and get BACK2BACK, highlighting the challenges of living with low back pain and a need for society to prioritize a condition that is more prevalent than cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer Disease combined. The campaign calls for greater global commitment to tackling spinal pain and disability by governments, comm unities and public health bodies. World Spine Day also recognizes the lack of access to quality spine care and rehabilitation in under-served communities – For many populations, spinal pain and disability is not just a minor inconvenience – it can mean not being able to work and provide food and sustenance.
The objective for 2021
The aim of the BACK2BACK campaign will therefore be to focus on highlighting ways in which people can help their spines by staying mobile, avoiding physical inactivity, not overloading their spines and adopting healthy habits such as weight loss and smoking cessation.BACK2BACK will focus attention on spinal pain and disability at home, in the workplace, in schools and in our communities. The World Spine Day organizing committee Chair, Richard Brown, said, “Public health initiatives like World Spine Day are critical in raising awareness, providing information and empowering the public to care for their spines.” “For spine health experts, World Spine Day provides a perfect opportunity to meaningfully contribute and proactively participate in their communities.” “We call on all spine health professionals worldwide to get involved in World Spine Day 2021’s BACK2BACK campaign”.
Watch our social media and look out in the clinic for special World spine day information and activities this week!
