Back Pain is a condition usually associated with adults. However, lifestyle changes mean than more and more children and adolescents are reporting discomfort in their backs.

What causes Back Pain?

Lifestyle

Daily activities and certain habits can trigger back pain, either now or in the future. These are some of the contributing factors:

School Bags: especially when they are carried incorrectly, too heavy, or poorly designed.  Ask your physiotherapist for advice on the best school bags and how to pack them properly.

Posture: for example ‘slouching’, slumping and asymmetry.  A Physiotherapist will be able to assess your child and provide exercises to address any muscle imbalance that may be making it difficult to keep a good posture.

Sitting: for too long or on the wrong furniture.  Your physiotherapist will advise you about sitting postures and positioning of equipment, such as computers.

Exercise: not taking enough, or using the wrong techniques can cause muscle pulls or ligament strains, resulting in back pain.  Physiotherapy techniques can promote healing and return to function.

Diet: too much junk food will cause weight gain, which places extra stress on the body and does not provide the body with the necessary nutrients for healthy bones and joints.

Conditions

Growing up: Periods of rapid growth can cause back problems.  Physiotherapy exercises can often help address any muscle imbalance associated with growth.

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine to one side. It can develop very gradually and it is often not diagnosed until a child is between the ages of 10 and 14.
It may be noticeable because:

• One shoulder blade is higher than the other
• One hip is more prominent than the other
• The ribcage is more prominent on one side
• Your child leans to one side
• Clothes don’t hang properly

The most common form of scoliosis is called ‘idiopathic scoliosis’, as the cause is unknown. Children with neuromuscular conditions such as Cerebral Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy often develop a scoliosis because of muscle weakness and asymmetry.

Unlike many other forms of back pain, a scoliosis is not caused by poor posture or carrying heavy schoolbags.  Physiotherapy will not affect an idiopathic scoliosis, but can help to maintain movement of the back when the scoliosis has other causes, for example neuromuscular conditions.

Spondylolysis occurs in almost 5% of children and can cause back pain.  It is a defect of the bones (vertebrae) of the spine and usually worsens with activity and eases with rest.  An x-ray is needed to diagnose this condition.

Disk Herniation is rare in children, but can cause back pain, numbness and weakness.

Diskitis is an infection of the disk and can cause fever, backpain, irritability and muscle spasms in the back. An MRI is needed to diagnose diskitis.

Scheurman’s Kyphosis is a disorder that occurs most commonly in adolescent males causing a fixed rounding of the upper back.  It differs from poor posture, as a child with Scheurmans is unable to straighten their back.

Pyelonephritis is a kidney infection that can cause back or flank pain.  You should contact your doctor straight away if your child has a sharp pain on one side of their back, fever, nausea and pain or burning with urination.

If your child gets back pain:

• Contact your GP straight away if:
• your child is under 10 years old and there is no clear reason for their back pain (eg a fall)
• your child has any other symptoms, for example a fever, bladder or bowel dysfunction, changes in sensation (eg numbness or pins and needles) or strength in the arm or leg.
• The pain wakes your child from sleep.
• Try wrapping a hot water bottle in a towel and placing it over the affected area for 20 – 30 minutes
• Don’t confine them to bed!
• Gentle physiotherapy exercises can help reduce pain and stiffness.  KidsPhysio will be able to offer you advice on suitable exercises.
• Contact KidsPhysio for a physiotherapy appointment.