With the call to “Keep Moving” during National Chiropractic Health Month 2021 (NCHM), doctors of chiropractic nationwide helped to educate their local and digital communities about the important benefits of movement to both physical and mental health. In a poll last year, ACA members cited stress as one of the key factors contributing to a rise in musculoskeletal pain during the pandemic, and so ACA decided to use the occasion of NCHM this year to remind the public that simply moving more can help to alleviate stress and anxiety and boost feelings of wellness during these challenging times.
We know, of course, that many people are not moving as much as they used to since the beginning of the pandemic. Doctors of chiropractic play a central role in helping people to improve their musculoskeletal health and function, improving their ability to take part in physical activities. As the 2021 NCHM proclamation stated, “Doctors of chiropractic are physician-level healthcare providers who focus on the whole person as part of their hands-on, nondrug approach to pain management and health promotion, and who have special expertise in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal conditions that may inhibit movement and physical activity.”
That message was amplified this year by 40 state and local governments that officially declared October National Chiropractic Health Month (see list below). The team at the Texas Chiropractic Association once again pulled off a tremendous effort and collected 28 proclamations in that state alone. In some
An observance such as National Chiropractic Health Month also creates an opportunity to reach out to your local media and talk about the benefits of chiropractic care. Kudos to Logan University, which participated in a media interview about NCHM with the Fox affiliate station in the St. Louis area (click here to watch). The interviewer captured the campaign perfectly at the end when he stated, “If you forget everything we’ve said here, just keep moving!”
News4Jax, which provides local news coverage in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, also produced a segment on National Chiropractic Health Month. A local chiropractor had the opportunity to educate viewers about the basics of chiropractic care and to share a few tips on how to prevent aches and pains by practicing good ergonomics when working at a computer. Watch the interview here.
Social media is one of the most common ways that doctors of chiropractic and chiropractic groups spread the word about NCHM. This year was no different. The NCHM toolkit featured several social media graphics – in English and Spanish – for doctors to share on their digital channels and blogs.
Using the NCHM press release template, the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island sent out its own news release to promote that their members would be a part of this year’s NCHM. “Movement was a big part of the Chiropractic Society of RI’s ‘Straighten Up, RI’ campaign from earlier in this year. We’re delighted to continue the theme of movement through National Chiropractic Health Month,” the release states.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s campaign! Although NCHM is over, raising public awareness about the importance of movement and getting enough daily physical activity is never out of date. ACA encourages chiropractors to keep moving forward, educating their communities about the benefits of chiropractic care and the importance of movement to the health of our bodies and minds.
Did you participate in NCHM this year? Do you have feedback you would like to share with ACA to help us make the campaign better? Please email us with your ideas or suggestions at [email protected].
Annette Bernat is ACA vice president of branding and communications.
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NCHM 2021 Proclamations
Government officials signed National Chiropractic Health Month proclamations in the following states and localities:
States:
Alaska
Illinois
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Cities:
Greenville, Ohio
Dumfries, Va.
Crossville, Tenn.
Cities in Texas:
Abilene
Amarillo
Austin
Bastrop
Belton
Cedar Park
Dallas
Frisco
Georgetown
Houston
Hutto
Irving
Jonestown
Lago Vista
Leander
Lewisville
Little Elm
Lockhart
Lubbock
Nacogdoches
Pflugerville
Prosper
Round Rock
Rowlett
San Marcos
Temple
The Colony
