Back Pain in Children in Vacaville

Upon reaching age 15, 20% to 70% of children are likely to have experienced back pain at some point in their lives. The likelihood of developing back pain increases with age, and it is more common in girls.

When treatment is sought out, physical therapy in Vacaville is mostly recommended, with fewer than 2% of the patients requiring invasive treatments like injections and surgery.

Since the pain can have some impact on a child, the prevention and treatment of back pain is important to help restore their overall health and wellness.

Signs and symptoms of back pain in Vacaville children

Back pain in children can have varying symptoms but the most common ones are the following:

• Tight muscles or muscle spasms
• Sore/Tender muscles near the spine
• Increased pain after prolonged standing or sitting
• Increased pain with movement like bending

Even though back pain in children is mild, there are cases where they may require medical attention. If the pain persists for more than two or three days, is accompanied by fever, or they are experiencing numbness or weakness in the arms and legs, then they should see a doctor right away.

Common causes of back pain in children

Muscular strains are the most common cause of back pain both in children and adults. These strains happen mostly in the low back than the neck or mid-back. It can happen due to falls, overuse injuries, or poor exercise technique.

Apart from injury-related muscular strain, other common causes of back pain in children include:

• Poor posture
• Extra weight/obesity
• Weak core muscles
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Muscle weakness and stiffness
• Improper way of carrying a backpack or for prolonged periods

Back pain conditions that are common in children

Recreational activities are the most common cause of back pain for children, but there are instances where it can be due to underlying health or spine-related conditions. Here are some of the common conditions:

• Idiopathic scoliosis: An abnormal curvature of the spine. It is not painful in most cases, but there are curvatures that are severe enough that it can cause pain and require medical attention. In scoliosis, the mid/low spine or the entire spine is affected and is common in adolescents. A telltale sign is having tilted shoulders, uneven hip bones, and/or one side of the rib cage is more prominent than the other.
• Scheuermann's kyphosis: A vertebrae growth disorder that happens when the front of the spine does not grow as fast as the back of the spine. This can produce a humpback-like curvature. The spine becomes too bent forward that the child cannot stand up straight. It can happen during periods of accelerated growth.
• Spondylolysis and pars fractures: The pars is a bony connection of the vertebrae and can break in children who perform repetitive exercises that involve bending and twisting. This can happen in the lumbar spine and it comes with persistent low back pain. A simple rest can help manage this spinal condition.

If you think that your child is suffering from back pain or any of the spinal conditions mentioned above, do not hesitate to call up Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville, CA. You can set up an appointment by dialing (707) 474-5688 and get your child treated right away.