Back Pain in Children
. . . younger children will simply stop doing something
if it hurts them
It's often believed that back pain in children is relatively rare and may be an indicator of something more serious, such as a spinal tumour or infection. Additionally, there are developmental diseases of the spine, whereby the spine grows in a deformed manner in childhood and may require surgery.
Whilst this can be the case, the vast majority of cases are simply soft tissue injuries (muscles and ligaments) which can be easily treated.
The incidence of spinal pain in children varies enormously with age. Spine pain remains uncommon in pre-teens and any unexplained back pain should be immediately referred to your G.P. However, as children enter their teens, the incidence increases dramatically, with around half of all 13-15 year olds having experienced back pain (International Association for the Study of Pain 2003). Furthermore, the incidence in the developing world is growing.
The main risk factors are:
• heavy school bags - studies have shown that many teenagers frequently carry over a third of their own body weight in bags which are frequently hung over only one shoulder. Apart from the stress that this weight places on a developing spine, the nature of bags which are carried over one (usually the same) shoulder increases rotation in the spine, increasing stress on the joints further
• insufficient exercise - too sedentary a lifestyle with fewer children walking to school than in previous generations means that muscles are insufficiently used, leading to injury
• too much exercise - sporty children suffer spinal pain more than others. This depends on their chosen sport, with those involving twisting on the spine causing more problems (such as bowling in cricket). This is exacerbated by the teenager's unwillingness to refrain from such activities, whereas younger children will simply stop doing something if it hurts them!
• an uncomfortable bed
In summary, if your teen has back pain it will probably be a simple soft tissue injury which can be easily treated by an Osteopath, who can also suggest strategies for avoiding injuries in the future. However, you do need to be aware that spinal pain in children can be an indication of something more serious; if in doubt, refer to your G.P. surgery. Insufficient exercise - too sedentary a lifestyle with fewer children walking to school than in previous generations means that muscles are insufficiently used, leading to injury.
Whilst this can be the case, the vast majority of cases are simply soft tissue injuries (muscles and ligaments) which can be easily treated.
The incidence of spinal pain in children varies enormously with age. Spine pain remains uncommon in pre-teens and any unexplained back pain should be immediately referred to your G.P. However, as children enter their teens, the incidence increases dramatically, with around half of all 13-15 year olds having experienced back pain (International Association for the Study of Pain 2003). Furthermore, the incidence in the developing world is growing.
The main risk factors are:
• heavy school bags - studies have shown that many teenagers frequently carry over a third of their own body weight in bags which are frequently hung over only one shoulder. Apart from the stress that this weight places on a developing spine, the nature of bags which are carried over one (usually the same) shoulder increases rotation in the spine, increasing stress on the joints further
• insufficient exercise - too sedentary a lifestyle with fewer children walking to school than in previous generations means that muscles are insufficiently used, leading to injury
• too much exercise - sporty children suffer spinal pain more than others. This depends on their chosen sport, with those involving twisting on the spine causing more problems (such as bowling in cricket). This is exacerbated by the teenager's unwillingness to refrain from such activities, whereas younger children will simply stop doing something if it hurts them!
• an uncomfortable bed
In summary, if your teen has back pain it will probably be a simple soft tissue injury which can be easily treated by an Osteopath, who can also suggest strategies for avoiding injuries in the future. However, you do need to be aware that spinal pain in children can be an indication of something more serious; if in doubt, refer to your G.P. surgery. Insufficient exercise - too sedentary a lifestyle with fewer children walking to school than in previous generations means that muscles are insufficiently used, leading to injury.