QUIZ CARDS

1
QUIZ CARDS
This is an example of a selection of questions
which can be used in a back school programme to
revise the material presented e.g. anatomy,
self-help, prevention. The questions you use
should relate to the information which has been
presented in the sessions.
2

• THE SPINE
• Name a function of the spine?
• Support for the skull trunk and upper limbs
• Attachment for the ribs muscles and ligaments

• THE SPINE
• Name a region of the spine?
• Cervical - Neck
• Thoracic
• Lumbar

3

• THE SPINE
• What is the function of the vertebral discs?
• Shock absorbers cushioning the stress of
  movement impact and load

• THE SPINE
• What happens to your discs as you become older?
• They loose fluid from the middle (nucleus) and
  become more gristly and thinner

4

• THE SPINE
• What is a slipped disc?
• A bulge in the disc caused by pressure (bending)
• A split in the outer gristle which the middle
  (nucleus) protrudes through

• THE SPINE
• How many vertebrae make up the spine?
• 24 in total
• 7 Cervical/Neck
• 12 Thoracic
• 5 Lumbar

5

• SELF HELP
• What would you use to ease back pain or muscle
  spasm?
• Heat hot water bottle or a bath
• Cold ice pack, frozen peas wrapped up
• Pain Killers

• SELF HELP
• What should you do to avoid becoming stiff and to
  stay fit when you have back pain?
• Stay as active as you can
• Move around at least every 30 minutes
• Try to increase your physical activity every day

6

• HELP YOURSELF
• Name one way a towel can help your back?
• Lie on it to exercise
• Lumbar roll
• Increase the height of your seat
• Neck support in bed
• Back support when lying down

HELP YOURSELF 6. Cold Compress 7. Hamstring
stretches 8. Kneeling cushion 9. Use it to pull
loads closer to you 10. Wrap dirty loads in it
to hold them close
7

• COMMON CAUSES OF BACK PROBLEMS
• Name a common cause of back problems?
• Bad posture
• Muscle sprain
• Overuse syndrome
• Disc problems

• EVERYDAY BACK CARE
• How much of our lives do we spend in bed?
• One third on average 8 hours in 24

8

• EVERYDAY BACK CARE
• How often should you buy a new bed?
• At least every 8 10 years

• EVERYDAY BACK CARE
• What signs would indicate that you should buy a
  new bed?
• Lumpy mattress
• Occupants roll together unintentionally
• You wake up with pain or stiffness in your neck
  or back

9

• EVERYDAY BACK CARE
• What should you look for in a new bed?
• It is firm enough to support the curves of your
  back
• It is high enough to get on and off easily
• It is a comfortable height for making

• GARDENING
• What garden equipment will make the job easier
  for someone with back problems?
• Kneeling mats and stools
• Long handled lightweight tools
• Trolley or barrow to move heavy weights

10

• SEATING
• What would you look for when buying new armchairs
  or sofas to help your back?
• It is the right size for the smallest user
• Height is comfortable for getting on and off
  easily
• Firm support for the lower back

• BACK CARE USING A CAR
• What should you do to avoid back problems if you
  are going to make a long journey by car?
• Take breaks often, to avoid getting stiff, get
  out of the car and move around
• Before loading or unloading the car after the
  journey do some back stretching exercises

11

• AROUND THE HOUSE
• What can you do in the bathroom to avoid using
  stressful postures for your back?
• Use a mug when cleaning your teeth
• Wash your hair in the shower not over the bath or
  sink
• Kneel down when cleaning the bath

• AROUND THE HOUSE
• What can you do to make the laundry less
  stressful on your back?
• Kneel down to load the washer
• Put the laundry basket on a chair
• Carry small loads wet washing is heavy
• Adjust the ironing board to a suitable height

12
TRUE OR FALSE All back problems need medical
treatment FALSE No pain No gain FALSE The
majority of back pain resolves in a few weeks TRUE
TRUE OR FALSE 6 out of 10 people will have back
pain sometime in their lives TRUE Lifting belts
reduce the risk of back injury FALSE Pain down
the leg can be caused by a back problem TRUE
13
TRUE OR FALSE There are 10 ways a towel can help
your back TRUE A slipped disc means that an
intervertebral disc slips out of place
? FALSE Using heat or cold can help to ease back
pain? TRUE
TRUE OR FALSE You should rest in bed until your
back pain disappears? FALSE Back pain can only be
cured by an operation? FALSE Keeping as active as
possible is the best way to help resolve back
pain? TRUE