Common Causes of Back Pain in Children

QI Spine Clinic, 9 months ago

Back pain in children seems to be increasingly common. At such an age, the spine is still in its growing phase that  means it is susceptible to injuries during sports, unusual strain, falls, accidents, or even a heavy backpack that could trigger back pain. Sometimes, overuse can flare up back problems needing assistance. Luckily, most of these problems can be resolved using several non-surgical methods including bracing, physical therapy, exercises, massage, medication, proper nutrition, etc.

Let’s explore some common causes of back pain in children that will educate you on this topic very well.

Muscular Pain

Overuse & Muscle Strain, these are two of the primary causes of back pain in children. Probable underlying causes include pulled muscle, bruise, or strained ligament. It could be due to an injury while playing any sport, sleeping on an overly soft mattress, leg length discrepancy, etc, and that requires assistance.

The good thing is, these issues can be resolved with a bit of resting. Potential treatment for back pain in children due to muscle strain includes applying cold compresses on the affected region. Taking a good warm bath can relieve the tension from the muscles as well which is why we feel most relaxed after taking a hot bath.

Additionally, anti-inflammatory medicines such as Naproxen and Ibuprofen can help to subside the pain as well. You might want to look out for a physical therapy program to mitigate back pain in children. For any kind of medications, we recommend speaking to a doctor beforehand.

Herniated Spinal Discs

Another probable reason could be herniated discs. Anatomically, the spine is made up of different bone structures called vertebrae that are connected with a puck-shaped disc in-between. The disc acts as a shock absorber between the vertebrae. However, it is a delicate structure in children and adolescents as the spine is still growing and will reach its full growth only when they hit puberty.

There are chances that your child could have a bulging disc or herniated disc borne out of acute trauma due to a fall or accident, among others. Symptoms include sciatic pain, numbness or weakness radiating down to one or both legs, stiffness in the lower spine, and pain while sneezing or coughing. In such cases, it’s better to call a pediatrician for help.

Stress Fractures

If your child has lower back pain often aggravated by physical activity, you could be looking at symptoms of Spondylolysis. It is also regarded as a stress fracture that can affect kids and teens due to overarching or hyperextension such as in the case of diving, gymnastics, etc. For the unversed, Spondylolysis is referred to as a condition where the vertebrae (that make up the spine) get weakened, and repeated stress or injuries can aggravate the condition.

It could affect the back of the spinal column causing lower back pain. In case of vertebral weakness affecting both sides of the spinal column, this condition is called Spondylolisthesis or twisting of the spine and it can raise alignment issues. Fortunately, the condition doesn’t require surgery as a to-go method since it is reserved as a last resort. There are plenty of non-surgical methods available to fortify spinal health including physical therapy and wearing a brace.

Scoliosis

Your spine is made up of several pieces of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons among others. The spine has a natural curve throughout its length which is crucial to maintain and that’s where the ‘correct posture’ comes in. Scoliosis is a condition wherein there’s an abnormal curvature of the spine. The condition may rarely cause back pain initially although it is more likely to develop pain compared to those who don’t have Scoliosis. You should be able to notice scoliosis if your child has a visibly curved spine or they are leaning to one side or have uneven shoulders among others.

Scheuermann’s Disease

It is a condition wherein there’s an abnormal growth in various parts of the vertebrae causing them to become shaped like a wedge. In such cases, there’s a forward curvature of the upper back often flaring up pain in the upper back. It is called Scheuermann’s Disease which may be genetic.

Overloaded Backpacks

Well, we had to bring this up eventually. It is one of the leading causes of back pain in children. Carrying backpacks loaded with books, school supplies, food, etc, takes a toll on children’s backs. It is further aggravated when the weight inside a back pain isn’t uniformly distributed or when the weight on one side of the bag is more than the other. Since your child has to carry their backpacks every day to school, this could contribute to back problems significantly.

There are certain workarounds. First up, you can distribute the load in the backpack properly. Secondly, buy a backpack with light material but sturdy enough to provide adequate support to the back. A locker at the school can help reduce the loads that your children have to carry each day.

Wrapping Up

These were some of the common causes of back pain in children. There are some psychosocial factors involved in back pain too such as anxiety, depression, pain perception, and behavioral issues that can cause back pain in children. Most of the time, back pain issues are fixed automatically with slight changes in lifestyle and eating habits.

However, if your child is facing issues over a long period, it is high time to call in a doctor to diagnose what’s happening and the treatment for back pain in children. QI Spine Clinic has been helping people with spinal health issues using the latest technologies, and neck & back specialists who will diagnose the root cause of the back problems and find a non-invasive treatment plan tailor-made just for you.