Every spine counts this World Spine Day!

On October 16, we at Docklands Health will celebrate World Spine Day 2022 to raise awareness about spinal disorders.

The overarching mission? To help empower YOU to take charge of your spinal health.

Did you know that at any given moment, an estimated 540 million people suffer from lower back pain globally? Or that four million Australians suffer from back problems every year?

It’s a big statistic and one of epidemic proportions.

This year’s theme “every spine counts” pays close attention to the global burden of spinal disorders and the diverse set of challenges they present across the globe in all regions, cultures, and backgrounds. “Every spine counts” also addresses the need for increased worldwide access to quality spinal health services, especially in impoverished communities.

Sadly, for many people, spinal disability is more than just an inconvenience; but a terrible circumstance where individuals are no longer able to work and supply food and shelter for their children and families.

To acknowledge this and encourage healthy spinal habits, we are encouraging patients to maintain a healthy spine by staying mobile, avoiding physical inactivity, not overloading their spines and adopting healthy habits.

To help Docklanders reset and refocus on their spinal health, Docklands Health is encouraging people to “straighten up”, “start walking” and “find a chiro” this World Spine Day.

It is estimated that on average we spend five hours a day sitting; with a quarter of the population sitting for more than eight hours a day!

Stretching and performing regular spinal exercises are easy and time-efficient ways to help improve your spinal health – which you can now do at the touch of a button with a newly launched Straighten Up app! Featuring a set of simple exercises (and taking just three minutes to complete), the Straighten Up app will help you maintain correct posture no matter where you are! Download the Straighten Up app today.

With so many of us working and learning remotely, it is now more important than ever, to get outside and stretch those legs. The Department of Health recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each week. Walking not only increases heart and lung fitness but contributes to a naturally upright posture. Download the fun and easy-to-use, Just Start Walking app to track and map your walks with friends and family! •