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What
is the Spinosaurus Program?
Spinosaurus is a spinal health
education program for children of primary school age. It aims
to teach about the structure and the function of the spine and
emphasises the importance of healthy posture, exercises and injury
prevention in the care of the spine.
Why Early Intervention?
Our main focus as an early intervention program is to help young
people understand more about the spine - how it works and how
to look after it - as they grow into adult life. We hope to help
stem the growing epidemic of back pain in our world- wide community.
It has been estimated that up to 30% of children and 80% of adults
experience back problems at some point in their lives(1).
Studies show that certain factors such as good posture, proper
regular exercise, avoiding prolonged sitting and taking care to
avoid injuries may prevent certain back problems from developing
later in life(2). Research indicates that
childhood is a time when attitudes to health are being shaped
and hence a valuable opportunity to instill health promoting behaviours
for the years ahead(3).
Who is behind the Spinosaurus
Program ?
The Spinosaurus program is being developed by an independent,
multidisciplinary team of health and education professionals with
an interest in promoting spinal health.
It began in 1990 and resources have been trialed in schools throughout
NSW (Australia) and South Australia. It has the endorsement of
the World Federation of Chiropractic, the Chiropractors' Association
of Australia, The Life Education Centres (Australia) and the Australian
Spinal Research Foundation.
The program been formulated in accordance with the Health Promoting
Schools approach to education which is drawn from the World Health
Organisation (1997).
Spinosaurus is a community-based health education program about
the spine.
 The Spinosaurus web site is a community service initiative of the Chiropractors Association of Australia (National) Limited
Funding
The Spinosaurus program has received funding and support from
a range of organisations.
Resources are developed and published
as funding becomes available.
The program welcomes further support.
Resources
A range of resources have been developed for the Spinosaurus
Program. These are detailed on the Resources
page.
Child Safe Site
This site's content has been developed for children and exclusively
concerns spinal health.
The only external links are to the reputable organisations listed
in the "Contact" section.
Contact
Dein Vindigni.
Fax: 03 94659988
dein@teksupport.net.au
References
Following the sentence "Studies show that certain factors…."
Add (2-11)
Following the last sentence "Research indicates that childhood…"
add (12)
1. Dwyer AP. Backache and its prevention.
Clinic. Orthop 222:35-43, 1987 12:53-59, 1980.
2. Mierau D Cassidy JD, Yong-Hing, K. Low
back pain and straight leg raising in children and adolescents.
Spine 14:526-528, 1989.
3. Salminen J. The adolescent back: a field survey of 370 Finnish
schoolchildren Acta Paediatr Suppli 315:8-122, 1984.
4. Salminen J. Low back pain and disability in 14-year-old school
children. Abstracts of the Third International Congress. Scandinavia.
5. Tertti M, Saminen J, Paajanen HEK, Terho PH, Kormano J. Low-back
pain and disk degeneration in children: a case-control Mr imaging
study. Radiology 180:503-507, 1991
6. Van der Linden, Sm, Fahrer H. Occurrence of spinal pain syndromes
in a group apparently health and physically fit sportsmen (orienteers).
Scand J Rheumatol 17:475-481, 1988.
7. Wespi H Haltungsstorungen, Scheuermannsche Krankheit und Scularzt.
Sox Preaventivmed 14:137-145, 1969. (translated)
8. Cockburn J, Hennrikus D, Scott R., Sanson-Fisher RW. Adolescent
use of sun-protection measures: Med Aust 151: 136-140, 1989
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