congressional_record: CREC-2026-10-01-pt1-PgE1011-4
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| CREC-2026-10-01-pt1-PgE1011-4 | 2026-10-01 | 119 | 2 | 172 | 156 | RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS NATIONAL SPINE HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | RECOGNIZING | E1011 | E1012 | [{"name": "James R. Walkinshaw", "role": "speaking"}] | 172 Cong. Rec. E1011 | Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 156 (Thursday, October 1, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 156 (Thursday, October 1, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1011-E1012] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS NATIONAL SPINE HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH ______ HON. JAMES R. WALKINSHAW of virginia in the house of representatives Thursday, October 1, 2026 Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize October as National Spine Health Awareness Month and in raising awareness of the importance of spine health for Americans of every age. More than 100 million Americans experience neck or back conditions each year, and low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. The impact of spine conditions reaches far beyond pain. They can limit mobility and independence, disrupt work and family life, affect military readiness, and contribute significantly to health care costs and lost productivity. I am proud that the National Spine Health Foundation, headquartered in Reston, Virginia, is located in my district. Founded in 2002, the Foundation is the Nation's only patient-centered nonprofit dedicated exclusively to helping people overcome debilitating spinal conditions. Through research, education, and advocacy, the Foundation provides patients and families with trusted, evidence-based information to help them make informed decisions and navigate their spine health journeys with confidence. This September, the Foundation brought the importance of spine health directly to Capitol Hill through the first Congressional Spine Health Fair. Patients, physicians, researchers, military leaders, advocates, and national spine organizations came together in the Rayburn House Office Building to help Members of Congress and congressional staff better understand the human, economic, and societal burden of spine disease. The Fair highlighted an important message: spine health is about far more than back pain. It includes conditions ranging from pediatric spinal deformity and scoliosis to degenerative and neurological disorders, traumatic injuries, osteoporosis, and fragility fractures. These conditions can affect people at every age and at every stage of life. The Foundation is also helping unite the spine community through the Coalition for Spine Health, a collaborative alliance of leading professional societies, research organizations, and nonprofit partners. By working together on patient education, research, and advocacy, these organizations are helping translate advances in spine care into better information and better outcomes for patients. That same collaborative approach guides the Foundation's work on some of the most important challenges facing spine patients today. Its Bone Health Initiative is expanding education about osteoporosis, bone quality, fracture prevention, and the role strong bones play in successful spine care. Its work on opioids, pain, and spine health provides patients with evidence-based information about chronic pain, opioid risks, and approaches to pain management. The Foundation is also advancing the Military Spine Health Initiative, bringing together leaders in spine care and military medicine to address the unique needs of active-duty service members and veterans. Spine conditions [[Page E1012]] can have profound consequences for military readiness, return to duty, long-term mobility, and quality of life. This initiative seeks to improve education and advance strategies that help those who serve our country receive the spine care and information they need. Research remains central to all of this work. By collaborating with physicians, researchers, and institutions, the Foundation helps generate evidence and translate new knowledge into information patients can understand and use. As innovation continues to transform the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of spinal conditions, connecting research with patient education is more important than ever. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing October as National Spine Health Awareness Month and in thanking the National Spine Health Foundation, the patients and advocates who share their experiences, the researchers advancing our understanding of spinal conditions, and the health care professionals who care for spine patients every day. ____________________ |