Back Care Quiz: Why does my back hurt?

Your spine is curvier than you might think; it’s shaped like the letter S. Your spine is designed to support the weight of your body. The curves provide equilibrium and balance as you stand—with the top portion of your spine supporting your skull and brain and the lower portion supporting most of your body weight. In individuals with kyphosis, the top curve of the S is extreme, with the potential of causing painful posture and structural issues.

Osteoarthritis of the spine causes the cartilage between your vertebrae to wear down, diminishing the space between each. As the vertebrae have less padding and shock absorption they can put pressure on nerves, pinching them. Pinched nerves, in turn, cause pain, muscle spasms, weakness, and/or numbness.

The correct answer is false. Your spinal disks lie between each vertebra and act as shock absorbers. Their gel-like filling cushions the impact of walking, jumping, running, and standing. Having a slipped disk simply means that the “gel” has leaked from a tear in the disk, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness.

The correct answer is D—kyphosis is not a direct factor in a slipped disk. The most common contributor to a slipped disk is aging. As we age, the tough exterior of our disks wear down and atrophy, as do the ligaments that support them. As our disks and ligaments weaken we are more prone to slipped disks when we twist or lift.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, around 12 million annual doctor visits in the United States alone are attributed to back pain. Eighty percent of us will experience back pain during our lifetime.

Maintaining good posture while lifting, sitting, and standing—along with regular exercise and side-sleeping—go a long way in preventing unwanted back pain. Bedrest is not usually recommended, as it can perpetuate stiffness and pain.

Believe it or not, it’s true that carrying your wallet in your back pocket actually isn’t a great idea. The constant load of even that much weight could cause back strain, and sitting on it while you work can also contribute to back issues.

This is false. Cervical spine or neck injuries have the greatest likelihood of causing complete paralysis.

The correct answer is D: prolonged sitting isn’t very likely to play a role in a sprain. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that the better conditioned your muscles are, the less likely you are to be injured by a fall or when lifting heavy objects.