[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 172 (Friday, October 2, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS NATIONAL SPINE HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 2020

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask that my colleagues 
join me in recognizing October as National Spine Health Awareness 
Month. 100 million Americans, or about one third of the U.S. 
population, suffer from neck and back pain each year. Individuals with 
chronic back pain are four times more likely to suffer clinical 
depression. It is the number one non-cancer related reason for an 
opioid prescription in the U.S. It costs $250 billion to the U.S. 
economy annually. Back pain is the number one cause of job-related 
disability in the U.S.
  During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have been sitting more, 
eating more, moving less, and not exercising or visiting the gym, all 
of which contribute to bad backs and necks. Many Americans working from 
home have reported experiencing more back pain, neck pain, and other 
musculoskeletal issues.
  Located in my district in Reston, Virginia, the National Spine Health 
Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to improving spinal health care 
through education, research, and patient advocacy. Their medical 
research team conducts multi-center studies evaluating innovative 
approaches to treatments, including regenerative medicine, minimally 
invasive approaches, and non-opioid pain management. They educate 
Americans about treatment and prevention and support patients on their 
journey to good spinal health, striving to reduce the uncertainty and 
anxiety experienced by all those who suffer from neck and back 
disorders.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the 
importance of learning about good spinal health and in honoring those 
health care providers and organizations nationwide that help Americans 
reach that goal not just in October, but all year long.

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