World Spine Day

October 16th is World Spine Day, an international holiday dedicated to raising awareness about back pain and spinal issues. Back pain is a common cause of disability, and everyone on the planet can relate to the unpleasant experience of a crunch in the back when lifting heavy objects or a sore neck after a night of bad sleep.

History

The World Spine Day was initiated by the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) in 2008. The WFC coordinates the event with the help of other organizations to spread awareness about the importance of proper back care. This is especially necessary since millions of people suffer from back pain, but don’t have access to health care resources or lack knowledge, leading to more severe complications and disability.

World Spine Day activities are held each year under a different humorous slogan; the first one was “Stand up and move”. In 2017, the WFC chose the theme “Your back in action”.

Interesting facts

• The spine has more than 120 muscles, giving it great flexibility.
• The spine has an excellent memory, remembering your posture, making it difficult to change later.
• Humans and giraffes have an equal number of vertebrae in their necks.
• In the womb, the spine is the first bone to form.

How to take part

On World Spine Day, it’s important to take care of your back by doing warm-ups and exercises. Try something new like hot yoga, which can improve the health of both the neck and back. You can also go for a bike ride or a run with friends. Health fairs and seminars are organized on World Spine Day, where people can learn how to maintain a healthy spine. If you’re a doctor and can share advice about how to properly care for the spine, post it on social networks. Anyone can organize a World Spine Day fair in their city, so don’t miss out on the opportunity.

When is World Spine Day celebrated in 2023?

World Spine Day is observed on October 16 each year.

Observations