One-third of Canadians say back pain limiting their daily lives

More than 11 million Canadians suffer from an injury or disorder that affects their movement, with one in eight reporting a chronic back problem and almost one-third indicating activity limitations due to back pain, according to the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA).

These numbers are higher than they need to be, according to chiropractors across the country who treat approximately 4.5 million Canadians each year. They also shed light on the broad societal and economic impact of those affected, including that 40% of all work absences are due to back pain, second only to the common cold.

Coinciding with World Spine Day that fell on October 16, the CCA is raising awareness of the treatment options available to Canadians, and the importance of physical activity, with a campaign called “Get Spine Active” (#GetSpineActive). World Spine Day has become a focus in 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, World Spine Day was celebrated on every continent.

“Canadians who want to improve their physical health and well-being can do so by staying active,” said Alison Dantas, Chief Executive Officer at Canadian Chiropractic Association. “Now more than ever, we want to encourage Canadians to consider chiropractors as an integral member of their healthcare team to achieve better outcomes and improve their quality of life.”

According to a 2017 report, ‘All Pain, No Gain: Shining a Light on Canada’s Back Pain and Opioid Crisis’, 90 per cent of Canadians who have used a chiropractor to help with their muscle and joint pain believe that it improved their overall quality of life, more than any other method. And despite the high levels of satisfaction among those choosing a chiropractor for care, people in under-serviced parts of Canada often have no access to care for spinal pain and disability.