Lower Back Pain in Children

Studies estimate that 50% of children will experience low-back pain at some point in time, and for 15% the pain will be frequent or continual. When a child experiences low back pain it definitely should not be ignored or viewed as 'growing pains' that will simply go away.

A study of 10,000 Danish twins over 8 years has shown a correlation between low-back pain experienced during childhood or adolescence, and that same individual experiencing low-back pain in adulthood. The scientists determined that 'low-back pain in adolescence was found to be a significant risk factor for low-back pain in adulthood with odds rations as high as four.' Furthermore, it was found that the more days an individual had low-back pain as a child or adolescent, the higher the risk that they would have low-back pain in the future.

A child who has had low back pain in the past may have sustained some damage to the spine and though they no longer have the symptoms their spine may not have recovered fully. In these instances, chiropractic care can help prevent a child from experiencing a recurring low back pain in the future. (Spine, February 15, 2006; 31:488-72, Meade et al 1995).

Chiropractors are skilled at working out if your child’s complaint is real. There are lots of specific questions and tests to determine exactly what condition is causing your child’s lower back pain.

If your child complains of lower back pain, take it seriously. If you are concerned, take them to see a chiropractor at the earliest opportunity.