AN estimated 540 million people worldwide suffer from lower back pain, and it remains the leading cause of disability around the globe.
In an effort to raise awareness around spinal issues and back pain, the World Federation of Chiropractic launched World Spine Day in 2008.
For this year, the campaign’s theme will be #EverySpineCounts, the organisation confirmed in a statement.
“This World Spine Day, we are calling for action to focus on the global burden of spinal disorders while emphasizing #EverySpineCounts, highlighting the diverse challenges of living with lower back pain in all regions, cultures, backgrounds, and across the life course; prioritising a condition that is more prevalent than cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease combined,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the campaign also calls for governments, public health bodies and the general community to amplify their efforts to tackle spinal pain and disability.
The international day, the organisation added, was also aimed at highlighting the lack of access some communities have to quality treatments and rehabilitation – which often results in chronic pain and/ or permanent deformity.
“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 statement concluded.
Through the campaign, the organisation encourages people to educate themselves on how to keep their spine healthy:
- stay mobile
- avoid overloading your spine
- lose weight (where the individual is overweight)
- quit smoking
World Spine Day organising committee chairperson 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. We call on all spine-care professionals to actively engage and make World Spine Day 2022 the most successful yet!”
To find out more, go to www.worldspineday.org
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram.
