Kiwis Urged to Straighten Up
The New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association is launching their own Straighten Up New Zealand campaign to coincide with
World Spine Day.
“ACC spends $130 million on back pain each year, but a regular programme of stretching could be the solution,” says NZCA
vice president, Dr Simon Kelly.
“Straighten Up New Zealand is a simple, engaging spinal exercise programme, designed to promote spinal health.”
He says looking after our spines should be something we work on every day – just like brushing our teeth.
Straighten Up New Zealand is being launched in primary schools across the country, starting this week.
“We want to target children because good habits are formed at an early age,” says Dr Kelly. “If we can get them into a
programme of regular spinal exercises now, we can help them avoid back and neck problems later in life.”
He says the association is keen to promote the programme because members see many patients with back and neck pain
caused by bad posture.
“A lot of the people we see have forward-head and rounded-protracted-shoulder postures.”
Research has shown an increase in slouched posture and related musculoskeletal disorders in countries with high levels
of computer usage. Rises in obesity and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle are also contributing factors.
“Studies indicate this trend is not limited to adults. It has also been identified in adolescents,” Dr Kelly says.
The Straighten Up campaign was developed in the US and is now being adopted by countries all over the world.
Research in the US showed that after five weeks of daily practice of Straighten Up exercises, 83 percent of study
participants said they had improved their posture, 78 percent had strengthened their core muscles, and 80 percent said
they sat and stood more upright and their backs were more comfortable.
The NZCA has produced brochures and posters, and developed a website, www.straightenup.org.nz, to support the campaign.
“I’d encourage every New Zealander to get online, or pick up a brochure from their local NZCA chiropractor, and take
just a few minutes each day to improve their spinal health and their quality of life.”
1. Kirk, R. “Developing a Spinal Health Promotion Initiative: Use of an Expert Seed Panel and Electronic Delphi
Consensus Process”. Family Information Services, Research and Reviews. 2006 May.
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World Spine Day
Thursday 16 October
World Spine Day is a global initiative to increase knowledge of healthy spinal habits. Together on one day,
chiropractors from around the world organise educational events in their communities to bring more awareness to spinal
health. This year, chiropractors around the world are launching Straighten Up campaigns.
Straighten Up campaign endorsed by expert
Phil Handcock, a senior lecturer at the School of Physical Education, Otago University, specialising in exercise
prescription and injury prevention, says the programme will help improve mobility.
“There is no doubt that the human body responds positively to movement, and the Straighten Up initiative is a great way
to remind New Zealanders of the importance of regular physical activity.
These simple stretches will also foster more awareness of postures throughout the day, and will hopefully reinforce how
satisfying it feels to move and be active. What a great way to take an active break at school or work and maintain an
active lifestyle.”
LINKS
Straighten Up NZ Adults
Straighten Up NZ Kids Brochure
NZCA NEWS
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