Relieve, Restore, Resume: A recap of National Chiropractic Health Month 2023
Chiropractic Economics Staff
The American Chiropractic Association extends its thanks to ACA members as well as other chiropractors and students across the profession for their participation in National Chiropractic Health Month; because of their efforts, more people are aware they can relieve their pain, restore their function and resume the activities that matter most with the help of chiropractic services.
Using the theme “Relieve, Restore, Resume,” National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) in October raised awareness of both the prevalence and impact of chronic pain and the benefits of chiropractic’s patient-centered, non-drug approach to pain management. Below is a brief recap of this year’s successful campaign:
Proclamations
One of the most visible ways DCs and state chiropractic associations bring attention to the profession during NCHM is by obtaining proclamations in their states and local communities. This year, 66 NCHM proclamations were issued: 12 state governments and 54 cities (a few adapted their proclamations for Chiropractic Health Week or Day). Texas led the pack with 42 local proclamations. In many cases, a proclamation enables DCs to also meet elected officials during photo opportunities, creating a new connection for the profession. A full list of proclamations is available below, and photos are available on Hands Down Better. (If you obtained a proclamation and don’t see your state or city listed below, please email communications@acatoday.org so we can update our list.)
Social Media
ACA creates numerous social media resources for NCHM – including graphics, pre-written posts with chiropractic facts and a video — making it easy for members of the profession to participate. As a result, throughout the month of October, ACA and its members shared information about chronic pain and chiropractic care on social media with the hashtag #RelieveRestoreResume. Hundreds of posts across social media platforms used this hashtag to promote chiropractic and its non-drug approach to pain management. ACA posts were seen more than 330,000 times.
In traditional media, NCHM was mentioned more than 300 times on broadcast, radio and online channels, reaching a potential audience of more than 60 million. A highlight this year was a radio PSA about NCHM developed by Black Health 365 for people of color. The PSA was syndicated widely and broadcast on popular shows such as the Tom Joyner Morning Show. The PSA stated:
“This is your black health 365 moment. National Chiropractic Health Month is observed in October. Chiropractors celebrate by helping their patients get into a lifestyle that allows them to stay mobile. We often sit with bad posture, sometimes sleep in beds that aren’t good for us, and we allow stress to impact our physical health. Visiting a chiropractor can help. Chiropractic treatment primarily relieves back, muscle, joint and bone and tendon pain. Make an appointment with your chiropractor. This has been your black health 365 moment. Because a healthy lifestyle is a daily choice.”
Blog Content from Members
On ACA’s websites, NCHM 2023 included articles about chronic pain and chiropractic, useful information as well as new perspectives about pain management. For example, the ACA blog featured articles by ACA members Robert Vining, DC, DHSc, and Joel Carmichael, DC, PhD, DACBSP, examining research related to chronic pain and chiropractic, as well as another by Morgan Price, DC, a member who practices at the VA in Seattle, Wash., featuring excerpts from her recently published paper aimed at helping non-prescribers better understand current prescribing practices for chronic pain.
ACA members also contributed content to Hands Down Better, ACA’s consumer blog:
Jennifer Gantzer, DC, MS, DACBN, FACN, participated in a Q&A that offered a personal look at how chiropractic services and nutrition supported her recovery from chronic pain following a serious accident.
ACA is grateful to everyone who participated this year. NCHM is a campaign that is effective thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of ACA members and other members of the chiropractic profession. We are impressed each year by the creative ways that people find to promote the campaign and generate positive conversations about chiropractic. We hope that it was a positive experience for all who participated, and we welcome any feedback about the campaign. Send your comments and suggestions to communications@acatoday.org.
NCHM 2023 Proclamations
Government officials signed National Chiropractic Health Month proclamations in the following states and localities:
States: Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina
In Texas: Abilene, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, Bexar County, Canyon, Cedar Park, College Station, Collin County, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, DeKalb County, Denton County, Edinburg, Galveston, Georgetown, Grapevine, Hidalgo County, Houston, Hutto, Irving, Jarrell, Jonestown, League City, Lewisville, Little Elm, Lubbock, McAllen, McKinney, Mesquite, Midland, Montgomery County, Pasadena, Pflugerville, Plano, Round Rock, Southlake, Tarrant County, The Colony, Tomball, Waco, Williamson County
(If you obtained a proclamation and you don’t see your state or city listed above, please email communications@acatoday.org so we can update our list.)
