Exercise

Straighten Up America / World

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Empowering you to improve your posture and spinal health: an introduction to Straighten Up

In partnership for better spinal health
Spine-health.com has teamed up with Straighten Up America to help get the word out about healthful activities people can do for themselves to improve their posture and spinal health.

Straighten Up America is a free, public service health initiative designed to empower people – adults and children–to improve their spinal health by learning and practicing:


We believe that there is a very real need for improvement at this time in the area of spinal health promotion and prevention of disability. In this digital information age, most people are working and playing inactively in slouched awkward postures. Spinal disability is increasing in prevalence, even in children and youth.

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World Spine & National Spinal Health Days are coming up –do your part!

Initiated by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Bone and Joint Decade has established October 16th as World Spine Day in order to call attention to the burden of spinal disability and to help educate individuals to improve their spinal health. Last year on World Spine Day in collaboration with the United States Bone and Joint Decade, health care practitioners, fitness experts and health educators conducted Straighten Up educational outreaches across America and around the world.

Make sure that the activities are appropriate for you and not contraindicated by disorders which prohibit exercise and movement of your spinal column and related joints. If you experience sharp or shooting pain while exercising, stop the activity and consult with your doctor.

Patients: getting started with Straighten Up

Here are some simple steps to start preparing to celebrate World Spine Day/National Spinal Health Day and to incorporating Straighten Up into your daily life:

  1. Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the “Straighten Up” exercise module and lifestyle recommendations.
  2. Begin to practice the “Straighten Up” activities daily in order to improve your spinal health, posture and core stabilization.
  3. Begin performing the Posture Pod/Flying Friends exercises. Perform these exercises in front of a mirror before or after you brush your teeth. The Posture Pod is fun and only takes about 30 seconds to complete. You should feel refreshed and will improve your appearance and self image through consistent performance. Straighten Up mirror decals will help you promote habitual performance.
  4. Once you are comfortable with the exercises, you may begin to share them with others. This might include your family members, your co-workers, and others in your community. Don’t forget to share your experience with your chiropractor or other health care professionals.

Chiropractors and other health care professionals: lead the way in your community

As a health care professional, you touch the lives of many patients. Why not take an active role in patient and community education regarding spinal health promotion and wellness. You can leverage the Straighten Up program by:

Always screen individuals carefully to make sure the exercises are appropriate for them, taking particular precautions with individuals who have disorders which limit exercise or activity and the elderly.

  • Practicing what you preach. Work the Posture Pod Exercises into your own daily routine, e.g., after you brush your teeth, and get your family involved.
  • Striking up a conversation with your patients about empowerment–and provide them with resources they can use at home. Hand out copies of the Straighten Up Exercises and recommend other trustworthy back health resources, such as spine-health.com.
  • Conducting a Straighten Up educational outreach initiative in your local area, e.g., an event in your clinic, local school, local hospital, church, or other community location. Resources for your event are available, including brochures, PowerPoint presentations, letters, and certificates.

If you have any questions or need additional information/resources about Straighten Up America or World Spine Day, please contact Dr. Ron Kirk at rkirk@life.edu or 770-426-2709. You may also visit www.straightenupamerica.org.

Copyright 2006 Straighten Up America. Permission to duplicate granted.

Disclaimer: Consult a medical professional to diagnose and treat back problems

Please note that the content in “Straighten Up America/World” has not been peer-reviewed by Spine-health.com medical advisors. This section is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical help or advice.

Spine-health.com does not offer medical advice or treatment. This information does not replace the physician-patient relationship, and the information is not medical advice or treatment. Patients should always seek the advice of a trained health professional for back pain or any health condition. Please note that the contents of this section have not been peer reviewed by Spine-health.com’s Medical Advisory Board.