February 2006

Congress and NIH researchers learn about 'Straighten Up America'

On October 19 of last year, "Straighten Up America," a health initiative spearheaded by members of the chiropractic profession, was presented to members of Congress at the House of Representatives Wellness Center, and to researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and United States Bone and Joint Decade meeting. Both presentations sparked significant interest, enthusiasm and commitment to action.

"This was a unique opportunity to educate both the members of the US Congress and the leaders of the US Bone and Joint Decade and National Institutes of Health about Straighten Up America," said Dr. Ron Kirk, of Life University, facilitator of the multidisciplinary Seed and Delphi panels, which created Straighten Up. "It was also an ideal time to develop relationships with our country's legislative and health research decision‑makers simultaneously. Everyone involved genuinely enjoyed learning about these simple invigorating ways to promote health and prevent spinal disability. We believe this marks the early unfolding of a worldwide health promotion initiative."

The dual presentations were conducted by Dr. Kirk and Dr. Jeffrey Fedorko, vice president of the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations.

At the Wellness Center presentation, participants had fun and expressed appreciation for the health benefits of Straighten Up as Kirk twice led them interactively through the Straighten Up Posture Pod and discussed the vision for the initiative. The Center's Director, Bill Sandmeyer, a health and fitness specialist for the Congress, enthusiastically agreed to teach the program to his Congressional members and distribute educational materials.

Dr. Fedorko was well received as he presented the initiative at the NIH meeting. In the meeting wrap up that followed, Dr. Steven Katz, director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders expressed keen interest in the new initiative and mentioned that he wanted to learn more about Straighten Up America in particular. Later, Dr. Katz told Fedorko that he would begin doing the exercises that night.

After their presentations, Kirk and Fedorko met with Congressional leaders to discuss implementation of the initiative. The legislators were very interested and receptive. This was considered to be a highly productive visit to Washington in terms of vision‑casting and building relationships.

"Straighten Up America is very simple," explained Kirk. "We envision a time when every American will take two or three minutes every day to care for their spinal health, just as they care for their dental health. The need for spinal health promotion is very great as evidenced by the many billions of dollars spent each year related to spinal disabilities. Yet before Straighten Up, there had not been a short, simple spinal exercise program designed to promote the public's spinal health."

Straighten Up began in the summer of 2004, when a five‑person expert panel and a Delphi review panel began shaping the spinal health program. The Delphi panel now includes approximately 50 state, national and international chiropractic organization leaders, 22 chiropractic college presidents and program heads, 23 college clinic directors, numerous health promotion and fitness experts, researchers, and officials from the World Health Organization.

In January of 2005, then‑US Sec. of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson commended the developers of Straighten Up America for "leadership in the field of spinal health."

The initiative has received positive reviews in each national and international venue in which it has been presented. Those driving the effort have pointed out that it offers members of the profession a unique opportunity to make a strong impact in spinal health promotion for their patients and the public, as well as in their own personal spinal health and quality of life. They stress empowerment, ownership and collaborative effort as the keys to mutual success, emphasizing that vision and commitment to public service by members of the chiropractic community are critical to the endeavor.

For more information, visit the Life University website at www.life.edu and follow the links to "Chiropractic and Wellness," then Straighten Up America.