Spine Health Awareness Month 2024

Elevating Spine Health for a Stronger Future

What is Spine Health Awareness Month?

Spine Health Awareness Month, observed every October, highlights the essential role of spinal health in living a full and active life. It’s a time to focus on prevention, education, and support for everyone.

This October, let’s unite in driving real change. Spine health affects everyone—whether you’re preventing future issues, managing a condition, or supporting a loved one. Take action by sharing resources, attending events, and spreading awareness. Together, we can ensure stronger, healthier futures for all.

Congressional Record

Why the Spine Matters

Spinal health is vital to well-being, impacting daily comfort and long-term health. With desk jobs, smartphones, and inactivity, neck and back pain have become major public health issues. The data is clear: millions suffer yearly, with significant economic and personal costs. Understanding spine health can help prevent and manage these issues, improving quality of life for all.

100 Million

100 million Americans, approximately 1/3rd of the U.S. population, suffer from chronic neck or back pain each year.

#1 Physical Pain

Back and neck pain is the #1 reason for physical pain and the most common non-cancer related reason opioids are prescribed in the U.S.

$635 Billion

$635 billion in direct and indirect costs annually, with 264 million lost workdays each year.

Mental Impact

Chronic pain patients are 4x more likely to develop depression.

Doctor Visits

Back and neck pain is the second most common cause of doctor visits after the common cold.

Leading Workplace Disability

Back and neck pain is the #1 cause of job-related disability in the U.S.

Take Action.

Share our curated social content, explore valuable resources, participate in our new Patient Journey initiative, and connect with our vibrant spine health community to be part of the movement.

Share

Spread spine health awareness by sharing our content on social media.

Connect

Listen to our podcasts, and hear from Spinal Champions.

Explore

Access the latest spine health insights to empower yourself and others.

Spine Health Resources

Explore our open-access resources to learn how to maintain a strong, healthy spine. Share them with your network to spread the word during Spine Health Awareness Month.

Social Media Toolkit

Amplify the message! Use our social media toolkit with ready-to-go posts and graphics. Just copy, paste, and share!

 

Donate Today for a Spine Strong Future

Stay Informed

Our “Spine Spotlight” newsletter is emailed monthly with a recap of everything that is happening at the National Spine Health Foundation, from the latest in research, interviews with spine health experts, seasonal tips for guarding your spine health, and community updates.

Sign Up