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Back pain isn’t just an adult problem. Children and teenagers can develop back pain too – particularly as they become more active in sports, spend more time sitting at school, go through growth spurts, and place increasing physical demands on their bodies.
For parents, the difficult question is often: Is this something that will settle on its own, or should I have my child’s back checked?
In many older children and teenagers, back pain is related to muscles, joints, activity, or overuse. However, back pain in children should never simply be dismissed. A proper assessment can help determine what may be causing the pain and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
What Can Cause Back Pain in Children and Teens?
There isn’t one single cause of back pain in young people. Sometimes symptoms begin after an obvious event, such as a fall during hockey or soccer. Other times, the discomfort develops gradually.
Common factors may include:
- Sports and repetitive training
- Muscle strains and overuse
- Sudden increases in physical activity
- Falls or other minor injuries
- Prolonged sitting at school or while using computers and devices
- Reduced mobility or muscle tightness
- Changes in movement during periods of rapid growth
- Poor recovery between practices, games, and training
- Repetitive bending, twisting, lifting, or extension
Young athletes can be particularly susceptible to back problems because they may train several times a week while their bodies are still growing and developing.
Importantly, not all back pain in children is simply muscular. Conditions such as spondylolysis, inflammatory disorders, infection, and other medical problems can sometimes cause back pain and need to be recognized.
When Should You Have Your Child’s Back Pain Assessed?
An occasional minor ache after an unusually active day may settle quickly. But recurring or persistent back pain deserves more attention.
Consider having your child assessed if:
- Back pain keeps returning
- Pain lasts longer than expected after an activity or minor injury
- Your child has stopped or reduced sports or activities because of pain
- Running, jumping, bending, or twisting repeatedly causes symptoms
- Sitting at school has become uncomfortable
- Your child is moving differently because of the pain
- Back pain is interfering with sleep or everyday activities
- You aren’t sure why the pain started
One thing I tell parents is to pay attention to changes in function. A child may not always describe pain very precisely. Sometimes the first clue is that they don’t want to practice, have stopped running normally, avoid a particular movement, or complain repeatedly after an activity.
Are There Warning Signs Parents Should Watch For?
Yes. Although many cases of back pain in older children and teenagers are musculoskeletal, some symptoms require medical investigation.
Seek appropriate medical care if your child has back pain accompanied by:
- Fever or unexplained illness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Significant or worsening pain at night
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in an arm or leg
- Difficulty walking or a significant change in gait
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Significant trauma
- Severe or rapidly worsening pain
Back pain in a younger child – particularly without an obvious injury – also deserves careful evaluation.
A chiropractor who treats children should recognize when a child’s presentation is appropriate for chiropractic care and when medical investigation, imaging, or referral to another healthcare provider is needed.
How Do I Assess Back Pain in Children and Teens?
When a child or teenager comes to our Edmonton chiropractic clinic with back pain, treatment doesn’t begin automatically.
The first step is finding out why they hurt.
I take a history that considers how the symptoms began, where the pain is located, what makes it better or worse, sports and activities, previous injuries, and whether there are any warning signs that require further investigation.
The physical examination may include assessment of:
- Posture and movement
- Spinal and joint mobility
- Muscle function and flexibility
- Balance and coordination when appropriate
- Neurological function
- Hips and lower extremities when relevant
- Movements related to the child’s sport or activity
The examination is adapted to the child’s age, size, symptoms, and stage of development.
If the examination suggests that the problem requires medical investigation or another type of care, I will recommend the appropriate referral rather than treating something that shouldn’t be treated chiropractically.
Can Chiropractic Care Help a Child or Teenager With Back Pain?
When back pain is determined to be related to the nerves, muscles, and joints and chiropractic care is appropriate, treatment is individualized to the child.
Care may include gentle chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue techniques, mobility work, stretching or strengthening exercises, and advice about activity and returning to sport.
Children are not simply treated like smaller adults. The techniques and amount of force used should be appropriate for their age, size, development, and individual examination findings.
The goal isn’t simply to make the back “feel better” temporarily. It’s to help restore comfortable movement and function and, when possible, identify factors that may be contributing to the problem.
What About Back Pain in Young Athletes?
This is something I see regularly.
Children and teenagers today can participate in hockey, soccer, gymnastics, dance, running, martial arts, weight training, and other activities several days each week. That’s generally a good thing – but growing bodies still need adequate recovery.
A young athlete who repeatedly complains about back pain shouldn’t necessarily be encouraged to simply “play through it.”
For example, pain that consistently appears with running, twisting, impact, or repeatedly bending backward deserves assessment. Determining the cause early may allow the child to modify the aggravating activity, address movement or strength issues, and return to activity appropriately.
Does My Child Need an X-Ray?
Not necessarily.
Imaging should be based on the child’s history and examination rather than ordered routinely for every episode of back pain.
If there are concerning findings, significant trauma, persistent symptoms, neurological changes, or suspicion of a condition requiring further investigation, imaging or medical referral may be appropriate.
For uncomplicated mechanical back pain, however, an examination may provide enough information to begin an appropriate conservative approach without automatically exposing a child to unnecessary imaging.
When Should You See a Pediatric Chiropractor in Edmonton?
If your child or teenager has recurring back pain, pain associated with sports or activity, or discomfort that is beginning to interfere with normal movement and activities, an assessment can help determine what is going on.
I have been caring for children and families for more than 30 years and completed postgraduate fellowship training through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). My approach is to assess each child individually, determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate, and refer for further investigation when necessary.
If you’re concerned about your child’s back pain, contact Collins Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre in Edmonton or book an appointment online.
About Dr. Dean Collins
Dr. Dean Collins has been helping Edmonton patients improve their health through chiropractic care since 1998. With over 30 years of clinical experience, he has worked with patients of all ages, helping them reduce pain, improve mobility, and maintain healthier, more active lives. At Collins Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre, Dr. Collins focuses on identifying the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction while providing personalized care, education, and practical strategies to support long-term health and wellness.
Learn more about Dr. Collins or book an appointment today.
For more information on how chiropractic care could help you, your family, or friend read our complete guide to chiropractic care.
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