PRINTER'S NO. 3722
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 552
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY LAWRENCE, OCTOBER 7, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, OCTOBER 7, 2024
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the month of October 2024 as "National Chiropractic
2 Health Month" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness of the
3 importance of musculoskeletal health and to acknowledge the
4 valuable contributions of the chiropractic profession in
5 Pennsylvania.
6 WHEREAS, "National Chiropractic Health Month" is a nationwide
7 observance held each October to help raise public awareness of
8 the importance of musculoskeletal health and the benefits of
9 chiropractic care; and
10 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania-licensed doctors of chiropractic are
11 educated and trained to effectively address spinal
12 musculoskeletal pain with a nonsurgical and drug-free approach
13 to health and wellness; and
14 WHEREAS, The years we live in good health, without major
15 chronic illnesses and disability, are known as our healthspan,
16 and, along with cardiovascular health, metabolic health and
17 other factors, musculoskeletal health is an important factor in
18 extending healthspan; and
19 WHEREAS, Comprising the bones, muscles and joints, the
20 musculoskeletal system enables us to remain physically active as
 1 we age, and physical activity is one of the most powerful
2 contributors to health and longevity; and
3 WHEREAS, A strong musculoskeletal system helps us to continue
4 working and engaging in daily activities as we age, enabling us
5 to maintain independence and continue doing what matters most;
6 and
7 WHEREAS, A strong musculoskeletal system contributes to
8 better balance as we age, helping to prevent falls that can lead
9 to disability and death among the elderly; and
10 WHEREAS, In the United States, musculoskeletal conditions are
11 a common cause of chronic pain and result in more than 130
12 million health care visits annually, making them the number one
13 reason people visit their doctor; and
14 WHEREAS, Globally, back pain is the single leading cause of
15 disability and historically one of the most common reasons that
16 people in the United States are prescribed opioids; and
17 WHEREAS, The number of people worldwide living with back pain
18 is projected to increase by 36% to more than 800 million over
19 the next 30 years; and
20 WHEREAS, Doctors of chiropractic are experts in
21 musculoskeletal health and offer a variety of drug-free
22 approaches to treat common musculoskeletal conditions such as
23 back pain, along with advice on nutrition, injury prevention,
24 ergonomics and lifestyle modifications for optimal health and
25 wellness; and
26 WHEREAS, Guidelines for the treatment of low back pain and
27 chronic pain by the American College of Physicians, the Centers
28 for Disease Control and Prevention and other groups support the
29 use of noninvasive, drug-free approaches such as spinal
30 manipulation as a first line of defense against back pain,
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 1 before the use of pain medications and surgery; and
2 WHEREAS, With the theme "Chiropractic: Plan for a Strong
3 Healthspan," this year's "National Chiropractic Health Month"
4 reminds residents of this Commonwealth that chiropractors can
5 help maintain and improve their musculoskeletal health
6 throughout their lifetime, contributing to a strong healthspan;
7 therefore be it
8 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
9 month of October 2024 as "National Chiropractic Health Month" in
10 Pennsylvania to raise awareness of the importance of
11 musculoskeletal health and to acknowledge the valuable
12 contributions of the chiropractic profession in Pennsylvania.
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