Back Pain Back Pain Treatment and Therapy 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended initial treatment for acute non-specific low back pain in US clinical guidelines?
- Immediate MRI and opioid prescription
- Activity modification, NSAIDs, and physical therapy (Correct answer)
- Spinal fusion surgery
- Prolonged bed rest for 2 weeks
Correct answer: Activity modification, NSAIDs, and physical therapy
US guidelines recommend activity modification, NSAIDs, and early physical therapy as first-line treatment for acute low back pain.
Question 2: Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are most effective for which type of back pain?
- Pure axial mechanical back pain
- Radiculopathy with nerve root inflammation (Correct answer)
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Myofascial pain syndrome
Correct answer: Radiculopathy with nerve root inflammation
ESIs deliver corticosteroids near inflamed nerve roots to reduce radicular pain and inflammation.
Question 3: Which surgical procedure involves removing a herniated disc fragment to relieve nerve compression?
- Spinal fusion
- Laminectomy
- Discectomy (microdiscectomy) (Correct answer)
- Vertebroplasty
Correct answer: Discectomy (microdiscectomy)
Discectomy or microdiscectomy involves removing the herniated disc material compressing the nerve root.
Question 4: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for back pain primarily targets which mechanism?
- Spinal decompression
- Maladaptive pain beliefs and fear-avoidance behaviors (Correct answer)
- Inflammation reduction
- Muscle hypertrophy
Correct answer: Maladaptive pain beliefs and fear-avoidance behaviors
CBT addresses catastrophizing, fear-avoidance, and maladaptive beliefs that amplify pain perception and disability.
Question 5: Which muscle relaxant is commonly prescribed for acute back pain muscle spasms in the US?
- Gabapentin
- Cyclobenzaprine (Correct answer)
- Duloxetine
- Amitriptyline
Correct answer: Cyclobenzaprine
Cyclobenzaprine is one of the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxants for acute musculoskeletal back pain in the US.
Question 6: What is the primary goal of the McKenzie Method in back pain rehabilitation?
- Strengthen paraspinal muscles through weight training
- Centralize and abolish pain through repeated directional exercises (Correct answer)
- Apply manual traction to decompress discs
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
Correct answer: Centralize and abolish pain through repeated directional exercises
The McKenzie Method uses directional preference exercises to centralize (move pain toward the spine) and eventually eliminate it.
Back Pain Back Pain Treatment and Therapy 1
What is the recommended initial treatment for acute non-specific low back pain in US clinical guidelines?