World Spine Day

 

World Spine Day & Spinal Health Awareness Month

World Spine Day is held globally on October 16 each year in order to raise awareness about spinal health and spine disorders. World Spine Day offers lots of opportunities for organizations and individuals to get involved.

In Alberta, October is also Spinal Health Awareness Month. All month long, Alberta’s chiropractors with the support of the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors work hard to educate their patients and the public on the importance of actively caring for their spinal health.

 

Posture check! 

How do you know if you have strong posture? Here is a simple test:

While standing, lift your left foot and balance on your right foot. You should be able to balance for 30 seconds before you feel you need to put your foot down. Notice, do you have to shift to keep your balance?

Try it again, but this time, lift your right foot and balance on your left. Is it easier to balance on one side than the other?If you weren’t able to balance for 30 seconds or had to keep shifting around to stay upright, you could benefit from stronger posture.

Benefits of stronger posture and improved spinal health include:

  • Helps prevent back/neck ache and muscular pain
  • Decreases stress on ligaments that hold the joints of the spine together
  • An increased resilience to psychological stress
  • A more positive self-image and greater sense of self-confidence
  • Keeps bones and joints in alignment so muscles can be used more efficiently
  • Helps decrease wear on joints that could otherwise result in arthritis

Straighten Up and move!

Treat your body to Straighten Up Alberta, a free stretching program designed to improve posture and spinal health.


                                                    

Adults' program                                                                               Kids' program

 Watch the instructional video. 

Why do you move?

Tell us and/or show us why you Straighten Up and Move! Share your stories and photos of how you keep your spine healthy using the hashtag #MyBackStory on Twitter and Instagram.

Need inspiration? Watch our “I Stretch” PSA. 

Still have questions?

Chiropractors diagnose, treat and help prevent musculoskeletal (bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, joints and connective tissues) conditions and disorders, as well as the effect they have on the nervous system. They are trained to assist people of all ages to help relieve pain and discomfort, and restore range of motion. Chiropractors also counsel patients regarding nutrition, lifestyle and exercise.