Do you know how to take care of your back?
1. How should you protect your back when lifting something heavy like a toddler?
a. keep your back straight
b. stand with your feet parallel
c. hold the toddler close to your body
2. Is it normal for a child to get back or neck pain?
a. yes, they have the same tendencies as adults
b. yes, especially when they're very young
c. no, unless they have an injury or illness
3. Can wearing high heels cause spine problems?
a. no, not likely
b. yes, definitely
c. sometimes
4. Can having osteoporosis cause spine pain?
a. yes, it will lead to spine problems
b. no, but it may lead to problems
c. yes, especially in the low back
5. Does bad posture cause back pain?
a. yes, it causes back pain
b. no, but it can make back pain worse
6. True or false: if a woman has chronic back pain, she should not get pregnant?
a. true
b. false
7. The best time to stretch is:
a. in the morning
b. throughout the day
c. after work
8. True or false: strengthening abdominal muscles may prevent back pain and provide some relief if you already have back pain?
a. true
b. false
Answers
1. The correct answer is C. hold the toddler close to your body to avoid straining your back.
2. The correct answer is C. Children do not normally have back or neck pain unless they have an injury or illness. Spine problems, as well as diseases like meningitis, can cause neck pain. If your child has back or neck pain, call your doctor.
3. The correct answer is C. Studies suggest a correlation between heel height and the potential for spine problems. If you have a back problem, avoid heels.
4. The correct answer is B. Osteoporosis does not cause spine pain, but it may lead to fractures or other conditions that can cause pain.
5. The correct answer is B. Bad posture does not cause back pain but it can aggravate back pain. Standing or sitting up straight uses your stomach muscles and takes pressure off your back.
6. The correct answer is False. Although carrying a child may put additional strain on your back, there are ways to deal with it. Ask your doctor.
7. The correct answer is B. Stretching throughout the day will keep your muscles flexible and helps avoid injury.
8. The correct answer is True. Abdominal muscles help support the back, so strong abs can keep your back fit.
How well did you do?
The more you know, the better chance you have of avoiding back pain - which affects 80% of the adult population and is the second most common reason people visit their doctors. If you have back pain or want to know how to avoid it, consult a spine care specialist. Your family physician can refer you to a spine specialist if you don't know of one, or you can search NASS' Spine Care Provider Search.