Back pain is common in children aged 11-15
I don’t know about you but this statement is concerning to me. This was part of the concluding findings from a study done on 1,300 Danish children. The aim of the study was to find out more about spinal pain in this age group.
They came back again two years later to re-access the children. They found that those kids that said they had pain on the first encounter were likely to report still having pain two years later! Not alone that, the pain was found likely to progress, i.e. to more locations, higher frequency, and higher pain intensity over the two-year period. As a spinal health care expert this is concerning to me.
I believe that children should be experiencing childhood with as much vigour, health and happiness that they can handle! Not putting up with chronic aches and pains.
What is the cause?
Most of the reasons for kids complaining of back aches are musculoskeletal or biomechanical in origin. Meaning that there is some tension, imbalance or misalignment in their spine and body contributing to their pain. A more sinister cause for your child’s back pain must of course not be ruled out. However, this is typically an unlikely cause. Older children’s bodies experience a lot with running, climbing and jumping. Over time, these bumps and falls can create minor stresses to the body and spine, which can create future issues.
So how can you support your kid’s health and well-being if they are complaining of back pain?
Over my years in practice I have cared for lots of tweenies and teens seeking back pain relief. This age group are special in their needs and cannot be treated the same way adults are. My style of hands-on care is gentle and a subtle, safe touch. The plan of care is quite different for children as often they simply do not need much input to bring about great benefits and back pain relief. So recovery can be quicker than an adult complaining of a similar issue as “back pain”.

All children who attend must have a parent/guardian attending and present in the room the entire length of the treatment. I require consent from both the parent/guardian and the child for the care to proceed. I believe your child deserves respect and undivided attention. Therefore, I mainly speak with the child about their concern, rather than through you the entire time. Before I carry out the treatment I show your child exactly what I am going to do (using a combination of showing it on you, Mama or Papa, or on a doll if appropriate). The more confident and happy your little one feels … the better care will progress.
Back pain relief for children
If your child is complaining of pain and it does not resolve within a few days or they are complaining repeatedly, I would recommend seeking advice from a health care professional such as myself. Just because it has been found that back pain is common in 11-15 year olds does not mean it is normal!
For some tips on correct backpack wearing and correct posture look here.
I have a whole health and body philosophy to my care, giving tailored advice to the individual seeking support and back pain relief. If you have any further questions regarding this topic please do not hesitate to contact the clinic on 087 1815007 or here.
Read more on my style of care.
Hopefully you find the general information on this page informative and helpful. However it is not intended to replace medical advice and should not be used as such.