Back Pain Back Pain Rehabilitation and Exercise 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which exercise is commonly recommended as a first-line treatment for non-specific low back pain?
- Aerobic walking (Correct answer)
- Bed rest for 1-2 weeks
- Heavy weightlifting
- Complete avoidance of movement
Correct answer: Aerobic walking
Walking is a low-impact aerobic activity that maintains spinal mobility and strengthens supporting muscles without excessive stress on the spine.
Question 2: The McKenzie Method for back pain rehabilitation primarily focuses on which principle?
- Strengthening core muscles through planks
- Centralization of pain through repeated directional movements (Correct answer)
- Aquatic therapy for pain relief
- Manual massage techniques only
Correct answer: Centralization of pain through repeated directional movements
The McKenzie Method uses repeated directional movements to centralize pain—moving symptoms from the extremities back toward the spine—which indicates a beneficial response.
Question 3: Which muscle is considered the primary deep stabilizer of the lumbar spine?
- Hamstrings
- Quadriceps
- Transversus abdominis (Correct answer)
- Iliopsoas
Correct answer: Transversus abdominis
The transversus abdominis acts like a natural corset around the lumbar spine, providing deep segmental stabilization when activated.
Question 4: During which phase of back pain rehabilitation are passive modalities (heat, ice, TENS) most appropriately emphasized?
- Chronic maintenance phase
- Long-term prevention phase
- Functional restoration phase
- Acute phase (0-3 weeks) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Acute phase (0-3 weeks)
Passive modalities are most appropriate in the acute phase to manage pain and inflammation, allowing the patient to transition to active rehabilitation.
Question 5: According to most rehabilitation guidelines, what weekly aerobic exercise target is recommended for chronic low back pain management?
- 10-20 minutes once per week
- 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (Correct answer)
- 300 minutes of vigorous activity only
- 60 minutes daily of high-intensity training
Correct answer: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity
Most guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, consistent with general physical activity recommendations for adults with chronic pain.
Question 6: Clinical Pilates used in back pain rehabilitation differs from standard Pilates primarily because it:
- Focuses exclusively on flexibility without strengthening
- Is adapted by physiotherapists to target core stability and spinal alignment (Correct answer)
- Emphasizes high-load resistance training
- Excludes breathing techniques from exercises
Correct answer: Is adapted by physiotherapists to target core stability and spinal alignment
Clinical Pilates is a physiotherapist-modified form that specifically targets deep core stabilization and spinal alignment, making it appropriate for back pain rehabilitation.
Question 7: The 'bird-dog' exercise in back pain rehabilitation primarily targets which functional goal?
- Hip flexor flexibility
- Lumbar spine flexion strength
- Contralateral limb stabilization and core control (Correct answer)
- Hamstring lengthening
Correct answer: Contralateral limb stabilization and core control
The bird-dog involves extending the opposite arm and leg while on hands and knees, specifically training core stabilization and neuromuscular control of the lumbar spine.
Back Pain Back Pain Rehabilitation and Exercise 1
Which exercise is commonly recommended as a first-line treatment for non-specific low back pain?