DCs educate and empower patients and communities via the Straighten Up spinal health program.
Ron Kirk, DC
With strong support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Bone and Joint Decade (BJD), the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA), the World Federation of Chiropractic and numerous other organizations, doctors of chiropractic in the U.S. and around the world are empowering their patients and communities through "Straighten Up" educational outreaches.
On Oct. 16, the chiropractic profession celebrated World Spine Day/National Spinal Health Day in collaboration with the Bone and Joint Decade. Several years ago the International Bone and Joint Decade initiated World Spine Day to call attention to the burden of spinal disability during the Decade's National Action Week.
World Spine Day features Straighten Up as its theme. This year, doctors of chiropractic spent Oct. 16 serving the public on the front lines of spinal health promotion and wellness in collaboration with the BJD. Doctors taught their patients and their communities simple, enjoyable exercises to improve their spinal health.
Hundreds of doctors are taking advantage of the implementation kits finalized by COCSA and Life University to teach their patients and communities Straighten Up exercises. These kits are available for your use free of charge at www.chirotoolbox.straightenupamerica.org. A video link is available at www.life.edu/Chiropractic_and_Wellness/SUA_video.asp.
The great news is that Straighten Up is a natural fit for nationally mandated wellness programs, designed to increase students' activity and fitness levels in schools across the nation. Schools are currently searching for activity-based programs to help stem the tide of sedentary living and obesity in the U.S.
Though still in its infancy as a health initiative, Straighten Up has many powerful partners, including the WHO and the International Labor Organization of the United Nations. Our vision is that children and adults around the world will practice these beneficial spinal health habits. Through public service and collaboration, the Straighten Up initiative has gained positive momentum very rapidly. It provides a perfect format for patient and community education in spinal health promotion and wellness.
To demonstrate the impact of Straighten Up on children's lives, we have included this unsolicited letter sent in by a schoolteacher in March 2007.
For the first time in 32 years of elementary teaching, all 15 (seven girls and eight boys) of my fifth grade students are from broken homes. Three students live with neither mom nor dad and one student stays in three different homes each week. This is currently my 28th year of teaching in this small rural town. Several of my colleagues say that these children are hard to teach and until they can behave like fifth graders are asked not to participate in activities such as band and music. Some have given up hope on them and say they have little talent and wonder what they will make of themselves. Even the principal of the school has lost hope and doesn't know what to do about them. My students display a lot of anger by trying to physically beat up on each other, throw books across the room and knock desks over. They feel as though they have nothing to lose and have lost hope for their future. Respect is a difficult thing to obtain from them, as they show none towards parents, teachers and law enforcement officials.
Many times they have heard that they should "straighten up." Introducing them to "Straighten Up America" gave a new meaning to those words. Straighten Up moved a class that was at a low energy level and allowed and encouraged my students to stand up and move, bringing their energy up to a high level. Now the very first class objective in the morning is to do "Straighten Up America." I draw a name to see who gets to lead the exercises. To have their name in the drawing students have to show improvements in their anger rages. After lunch, the students beg to do the exercises again. They feel like they are more ready to work and not sleep after their noon meal.
We've added listening to positive music while we do "Straighten Up America." Students and teachers alike love movement and music. Parents, teachers, the principal, and I have seen an improvement in this class. The students are beginning to believe in the "inner winner." Students now smile when I say "Straighten Up." This program is exactly what I needed to reach these students. Thank you for giving me the resources to achieve my goal and show these kids that they do have a bright future ahead of them. If I could change one thing, it would simply be to have found out about this program earlier so that I may have used it to reach many other students through my years of teaching.
Getting Started
Simple steps to start sharing Straighten Up with your patients and communities include the following:
Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the Straighten Up exercise module and lifestyle recommendations.
Begin to practice the Straighten Up activities daily in order to improve your spinal health, posture and core stabilization. (Make sure that the activities are appropriate for your patients and are not contraindicated by disorders that prohibit exercise and movement of your spinal column and related joints. Tell your patients that if they experience sharp or shooting pain while exercising, stop the activity and consult with you immediately.)
We recommend your patients begin with the Posture Pod/Flying Friends exercises (see www.chirotoolbox.straightenupamerica.org for specifics). They should perform these exercises in front of a mirror before or after brushing their teeth. The Posture Pod is fun and only takes about 30 seconds to complete. Patients should feel refreshed and will improve their appearance and self-image through consistent performance. The Eagle, Hummingbird and Butterfly are simple and immediately invigorating. Straighten Up mirror decals will help promote habitual performance. Mirror clings are available through the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER).
Once your patients are comfortable with the exercises, encourage them to share the exercises with others. Always screen individuals carefully to make sure the exercises are appropriate for them, taking particular precautions with the elderly and individuals who have disorders that limit exercise or activity.
Working together, we can make a positive impact on our society for generations to come. Why not make a difference in your practice and your community now?
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