Parent’s Guide: Understanding and addressing back-to-school back pain

Back pain is just something that happens as you get older, right? It’s such a common reference to aging that we joke about with each trip around the sun. So, it’s rare to worry about your child having back pain—but it can definitely happen.  Back pain in kids is an issue that can commonly be caused when they head back to school in the fall, and it can impact their everyday activities and hinder their academic performance. iSpine Clinics wants to make sure you’re aware of the causes of back pain in students, when it’s appropriate to seek treatment, and the various options available to help them find relief and get back on track.

What causes back-to-school back pain?

If you pop your head into any classroom, you’ll likely see dozens of students hunched over textbooks or slouched in front of screens. The ergonomic design of desks and prolonged periods of sitting in awkward poses can cause muscles and other soft tissue to stretch or compress. It’s even possible for nerves to become inflamed as a result. Add in the extra hours of homework after school,  and that poor posture can strain their developing muscles and misalign their spines. The next day, they’ll wake up, throw their books in their backpack, and hoist that bag onto their shoulder. The weight of textbooks, laptops, and other school supplies can place excessive stress on their young backs. It’s a recipe for spinal stress and discomfort.

But by far the most common culprit of back pain in school-aged children is sports and extracurricular activities. Kids tend to fully dive into new hobbies, and sometimes they can push themselves so hard they become exhausted—putting them at risk of poor form and injury. It’s important to monitor how vigorously kids engage in their activities, and to make sure they follow their coach or trainer’s advice on technique and rest. Kids can also benefit from variety in their training—always remember to include activities that use different muscles. It will optimize their health and fitness and will make them less prone to injury.

Common lifestyle causes aside, some common medical causes of back pain in children include scoliosis, rounded back syndrome, or herniated discs. It’s always worth a discussion with your pediatrician if your child consistently complains about back pain.

When should I worry about my child’s back pain?

So, when should you, as a parent, be concerned and seek treatment for your student’s back pain? While occasional aches and pains are normal, consistent and severe back pain should not be ignored. If your child’s back pain repeatedly interferes with their daily activities or is accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness in the limbs, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly. Ignoring back pain can result in further complications, so it’s essential to ensure their discomfort is properly addressed. Your pediatrician may refer you to a spine specialist if the following factors are present in your child:

• Back pain resulting in stiffness of the spine and associated with a fever, general discomfort, uneasiness or pain, or a poor appetite
• Chronic pain that lasts longer than six weeks
• Back pain associated with leg pain
• Back pain that interferes with your child’s sleep

What are the options for treating my child’s back pain?

Now, let’s explore the available treatment options for students dealing with back pain. One of the first approaches is making lifestyle adjustments to improve posture and reduce strain on the back. Encourage your child to sit up straight, use ergonomic furniture, and take regular breaks to stretch and move around. Especially as you may not have control over the chair they’re sitting in at school, a focus on strengthening their back muscles through regular exercise and physical therapy is very important. Back pain can also be prevented by teaching your child to carry their backpack correctly. The backpack should fit the shape of their back, with the bottom just above their waist, and the weight should be less than 15% of their body weight.

For cases where lifestyle changes aren’t sufficient, medication or injections may be recommended. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage mild to moderate back pain. Heating the area of the back they’re experiencing pain can be helpful. This will bring blood flow to the area, help the muscles feel more flexible, and reduce pain. Over-the-counter creams and rubs can be helpful, but it’s important to note that these creams are not addressing the core issue of your child’s back pain and are just helping to lower its intensity.

Parents who prefer non-invasive treatments can explore options such as trigger point and muscle release, the Graston technique, and joint mobilization. These approaches can help alleviate back pain by adjusting the spine, promoting energy flow, and relaxing the muscles. iSpine Clinics can provide additional insight into the effectiveness and potential benefits of these non-surgical treatments for your child.

What can I do now to prevent back-to-school back pain?

Prevention is always better than a cure, so here are some steps that parents can take to help their students reduce the risk of developing back pain.

• Encourage them to maintain good posture while studying or using electronic devices.
• Monitor the weight of their backpacks to ensure they aren’t carrying an excessive load.
• Teach them the importance of regular physical activity and exercise to strengthen their back muscles.
• Consider investing in ergonomic backpacks and furniture to provide proper support.

As parents, it’s important to understand that back pain can exist in children—to learn its causes, recognize when to seek treatment, and explore the various treatment options available for reversing its course. With your support, back pain will be a fleeting blip in the fall, and they can continue their school year in comfort and confidence.