Children & Back Pain
While chronic back pain is relatively common in adults, kids and teens are less likely to suffer from this problem. However, they are likely to get acute (short-term) pain following an injury.
Children who complain of back pain should be seen by a doctor, especially if there was no injury or if the pain lasts more than a few days, because this can be the sign of an underlying medical condition.
If your child experiences back pain that is severe enough to interrupt sleep or if the pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, see your doctor immediately:
- fever
- weight loss
- weakness, numbness, trouble walking, or pain that goes down one or both legs
- a change in the way your child walks or stands
- bowel or bladder problems.
Always see a doctor if your child’s back pain lasts for more than a few days or if it suddenly worsens.
There are a number of factors that make some children more likely to experience back pain. For example:
- Back pain is more common in girls than in boys.
- Children over 12 years old are more apt to have back pain than younger children.
- Obesity and poor posture can cause back pain.
- Heavy school bags carried on one shoulder or in one hand can lead to back discomfort.
- Children who spend many hours watching television, playing videos games, or sitting in front of a computer are more likely to experience back pain than children who are more active.
- Children who play sports, especially contact ones, are more likely to suffer injuries that lead to back pain.
- Structural problems in the spine and some medical conditions increase the likelihood of back pain.
