History of World Spine Day

Since 2008, the World Federation of Chiropractic has been coordinating World Spine Day in collaboration with organizations around the world.  This October 16, 2022 will mark the fourteenth official World Spine Day. We’re calling on people and organizations around the world to join together to raise awareness around the prevention and effective management of spinal conditions.

World Spine Day has become a focus for raising awareness of back pain and other spinal issues. With health professionals, exercise and rehabilitation experts, public health advocates, schoolchildren and patients all taking part, our 2023 theme of #MoveYourSpine will be celebrated on every continent.

With an estimated one billion people worldwide suffering from back pain, spinal pain and disability affects all age groups, from children to the elderly. It is the biggest single cause of years lived with disability on the planet, with one in four adults estimated to suffer from back pain during their lives. This World Spine Day, we will be highlighting the importance of spinal health and wellbeing throughout the life course with a theme of #MoveYourSpine.

Populations in under-served parts of the world often have no access to conventional healthcare resources to care for spinal pain and disability. With many relying on traditional healers, even those who are seen in hospitals have limited access to evidence-based resources. Dedicated spinal health professionals do not exist in many parts of the world, so education and self-help is key. Even in high-income countries, back pain afflicts many millions of people, resulting in an enormous impact on industry and the economy.

The aims of WSD:

1. To raise awareness about spinal health and spine disorders among individuals, communities, professionals and all stakeholders associated with spine care;
2. To provide a forum for ongoing discussion about the burden of spinal disorders and the sharing of best practices; and
3. To promote an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to easing the burden of spinal disorders.