[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5310]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                          BACK TO HEALTH WEEK

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                           HON. SUE W. KELLY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 11, 2000

  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, today is the first day of ``Back to Health 
Week,'' a national campaign created to increase awareness of back pain 
as well as possible causes and prevention. Sponsored by the North 
American Spine Society, this week is designed to educate Americans 
about their spine and how they can prevent common back pain.
  The facts of back pain speak for themselves. Did you know that at 
some point in their lives, more than 80% of American adults experience 
back pain? Or, that 1 out of 14 adults will visit a physician this year 
due to back or neck pain and that back pain is the second most common 
reason people visit a physician? These statistics demonstrate how 
important it is to raise awareness about this health problem that 
affects so many Americans.
  One Famous American who suffers from back pain is two-time Cy Young 
Award winner and Major League Baseball pitcher Randy Johnson. After 
Johnson won the Cy Young in 1995, he was sidelined because of back 
problems for most of the 1996 season. Johnson captured his second Cy 
Young last year after surgery to correct a herniated disk and months of 
physical therapy.
  Another highlight of ``Back to Health Week'' is an event to 
distribute information about back pain. ``Back to Health Day'' will be 
held Thursday April 13th in the Capitol. ``Back to Health Day'' will 
provide an array of educational materials, including guidelines to a 
healthy back, exercises to strengthen your back, and how to prevent 
back pain. In addition, representatives from the North American Spine 
Society will be on hand to discuss commonly asked questions about back 
pain, causes, and prevention. I encourage my colleagues to join us for 
``Back to Health Day'' as we learn the most effective ways to prevent 
and alleviate back pain.
  I commend the North American Spine Society for organizing ``Back to 
Health Week'' and for their commitment to ensuring Americans learn to 
keep their backs healthy.

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