Move Your Spine for World Spine Day!
On October 16, the Canadian Chiropractic Association joins the global movement to raise awareness about the significance of spinal health and well-being. Our spines play a pivotal role in our everyday lives, from maintaining posture to enabling movement and supporting our central nervous system. This year’s theme, “Move Your Spine,” encourages people of all ages, in all nations, to get active and support their spinal health through movement. An estimated one billion people suffer with spinal pain with 540 million people at any one time. Low back pain remains the leading cause of years lived with disability on the planet.
We asked Canadian chiropractors why it’s important to Move Your Spine. They also shared their favourite ways to move their spines.
Dr. Christopher Morgan, DC, Ontario
What does World Spine Day mean to you?
It’s a great time to straighten up and take note of how important our spinal health is to our ability to a enjoy life at home, work or at play. World Spine Day brings attention to one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions affecting people worldwide and what we can do to improve our spinal health.
Why is it important to move your spine?
Your spine is the foundation and the framework of your body. It is fearfully and wonderfully made to be flexible, strong and agile. If you don’t move your spine, it will soon feel stiff and sore. Motion is lotion and to move your spine not only feels good its good for you!
What’s your favourite way to move your spine?
Dance like nobody’s watching … or tennis.
Dr. Sayyid Hassan, DC, Ontario
What does world spine day mean to you?
From my perspective, World Spine Day commemorates the importance of one of the most important structures in the body – the SPINE! It shines a light on the experiences of those who suffer from spinal pain and provides populations in underserved parts of the world with tools to help combat spinal pain/disability.
Why is it important to move your spine?
Movement of the spine is important because it helps to prevent and manage various conditions/diseases within the human body. Physical activity and exercise are pivotal for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing aches and pains. Always remember that, “motion is lotion & rest is rust!”
What’s your favourite way to move your spine?
My favourite way to move my spine is by golfing 🏌🏾♂️
Dr. Michael Cembroski, DC, Manitoba
What does World Spine Day mean to you?
World Spine Day is an important campaign to bring awareness that spinal issues are one of the most prevalent causes of disability worldwide. I see patients every day that are unable to perform even the most mundane tasks because of spinal pain.
Why is it important to move your spine?
One of the largest causes of spinal pain and disability is inactivity. People are leading an increasingly sedentary lifestyle which has shown to be highly detrimental not only to spinal pain but also many other chronic health conditions, many of which can be easily mitigated with movement.
What’s your favourite way to move your spine?
One of my favourite ways to stay active is on the ice. As a dad of two young hockey players, I made the transition from player to coach. Coaching two teams can be a challenge sometimes, but it gets me on the ice 5-6 times a week for most of the year, it definitely gets me moving.
Dr. Michael Truong, DC, Saskatchewan
What does World Spine Day mean to you?
World Spine Day is an opportunity to unify diverse communities together with the common goal of bringing awareness of the importance of moving our spines for spinal health and wellbeing. Personally, I am committed to ignite a spark in my local community for this great initiative to have a better quality of life.
Why is it important to move your spine?
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability around the world and physical inactivity significantly increases the risk of experiencing back pain. So, it is important for us to get in the habit of exercising regularly. Let’s practice good spinal hygiene by moving our spines!
What’s your favourite way to move your spine?
My favourite way to move my spine is through HIIT (high intensity interval training). For busy days, HIIT workouts give me the flexibility of moving my spine and breaking a sweat when I’m crunched for time.
Dr. Berkley Nowlan, DC, Alberta
What does world spine day mean to you?
To me, Spine Day is an opportunity to bring attention to the musculoskeletal system and what it means to maintain your physical health.
Why is it important to move your spine?
The spine plays a role in every movement of the body and it is crucial to maintain its overall health. By staying active and encouraging movement, you are increasing your spine’s longevity and working towards a healthier lifestyle.
What’s your favourite way to move your spine?
My favourite way to move my spine is through swimming! It is a low impact cardiovascular exercise that anyone can do!
Download a PDF of recommended stretches to help you #MoveYourSpine.
Keep an eye on our Facebook, or Instagram accounts throughout October for additional assets or visit worldspineday.org for more information.