Spine Region

Question 1

What influence does gravity have on postural alignment?

Answer 1

• Places stress on structures responsible for maintaining the body upright
• Due to body’s anterior/posterior sway, muscles are necessary to control sway and maintain equilibrium

Question 2

Where does the gravity line fall in respects to the ankle?

Answer 2

Anterior to the joint and tends to rotate the tibia forward, stability is provided by plantarflexor muscles

Question 3

Where does the gravity line fall in respects to the knee?

Answer 3

Anterior to the knee joint (keeps knee in extension)

Question 4

Where does the gravity line fall in respects to the hip?

Answer 4

The line varies with body’s sway, but when it passes through the hip joint, there is equilibrium

Question 5

Where does the gravity line fall in respects to the back?

Answer 5

It passes through the bodies of the lumbar and cervical vertebrae

Question 6

Where does the gravity line fall in respects to the neck/head?

Answer 6

Anterior to the atlanto-occipital joints

Question 7

Which muscles contract to keep the head up?

Answer 7

Posterior cervical muscles

Question 8

What is Lordotic posture?

Answer 8

increase in lumbar lordosis

Question 9

What are 3 common causes of lordotic posture?

Answer 9

• Sustained faulty posture
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Weak abdominal muscles

Question 10

What is a potential impairment associated with lordotic posture?

Answer 10

impairment in hip flexor muscles

Question 11

3 potential symptoms of lordotic posture

Answer 11

• stress to anterior longitudinal ligament
• narrowing of posterior disk space
• approximation of the articular facets

Question 12

What is swayback aka?

Answer 12

relaxed/slouched posture

Question 13

What are 2 common causes of relaxed/slouched posture?

Answer 13

• muscles are not used to provide support

- passive structures provide stability

Question 14

What is a potential impairment associated with relaxed/slouched posture?

Answer 14

mobility impairment in the upper abdominal muscles and impaired muscle performance due to stretched and weak lower abdominal muscles, extensor muscles of the lower thoracic region , and hip flexor muscles

Question 15

3 potential symptoms of relaxed/slouched posture

Answer 15

• stress to iliofemoral ligaments
• stress to the anterior longitudinal ligament of the lower lumbar spin
• stress to the posterior longitudinal ligament of the upper lumbar and thoracic spine

Question 16

What is flat low-back posture characterized by?

Answer 16

a decreased lumbosacral angle, decreased lumbar lordosis, hip extension, and posterior tilting of the pelvis

Question 17

What are 2 common causes of flat low-back posture?

Answer 17

Continued slouching or flexing in sitting or standing posture places too much emphasis of flexion exercises

Question 18

What are a few potential muscle impairments associated with flat low-back posture?

Answer 18

Mobility impairment in trunk flexor muscles and hip extensor muscles
- Impaired muscle performance due to stretched and weak lumbar extensor and possible hip flexor muscles

Question 19

3 potential symptoms of flat low-back posture

Answer 19

• lack of normal lordotic curve
• stress to poterior longitudinal ligament
• increased posterior disk space

Question 20

What are 3 faulty postures associated with the cervical and thoracic region?

Answer 20

• Round back with forward head
• Flat upper back and neck posture
• Scoliosis

Question 21

When are the acute, subactue, and chronic stages of spinal problems?

Answer 21

Acute: less than 4 weeks
Subacute: 4 to 12 weeks
Chronic: more than 12 weeks

Question 22

What are a few management guidelines for acute spinal problems?

Answer 22

• Patient education
• Symptoms relief or comfort
• Kinesthetic awareness of safe postures and effects of movement
• Core muscle activation and basic stabilization
• Basic functional movements

Question 23

What are a few management guidelines for subacute spinal problems?

Answer 23

• Pain management
• Kinesthetic training
• Stretching/mobilization
• Muscle performance
• Cardiopulmonary conditioning
• Postural stress management and relaxation exercises
• Functional activities

Question 24

What are a few management guidelines for chronic spinal problems?

Answer 24

• Emphasize spinal control during high intensity and repetitive activities
• Increased mobility
• Improved muscle performance
• Increased cardiopulmonary endurance
• Advanced patient education

Question 25

3 Exercises of skills that all patients with spinal impairments should learn

Answer 25

1) Kinesthetic training
2) Stabilization training
3) Functional training