10/16/2026
"Taking place on October 16 each year, World Spine Day highlights the burden of spinal pain and disability around the world. With health professionals, exercise and rehabilitation experts, public health advocates, schoolchildren and patients all taking part, World Spine Day is celebrated on every continent.
World Spine Day has become a focus for raising awareness of back pain and other spinal issues. With an estimated one billion people worldwide suffering from back pain, spinal pain and disability affects all age groups, from children to the elderly. It is the biggest single cause of years lived with disability on the planet, with one in four adults estimated to suffer from back pain during their lives. Populations in under-served parts of the world often have no access to conventional healthcare resources to care for spinal pain and disability. With many relying on traditional healers, even those who are seen in hospitals have limited access to evidence-based resources. Dedicated spinal health professionals do not exist in many parts of the world, so education and self-help is key. Even in high-income countries, back pain afflicts many millions of people, resulting in an enormous impact on industry and the economy."
