How To Relieve Back Pain Teenager
How is back pain treated? – The first step in treating back pain is to treat the symptoms. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, ice and rest can help relieve symptoms and reduce swelling. “Back pain in kids and teenage athletes often improves in a few days or weeks with rest and care at home,” reassures Dr.
Contents
- 1 Why am I 16 with back pain?
- 2 When should I seek help for back pain?
- 3 Why does my back hurt and I’m only 17?
- 4 At what age is back pain common?
Why am I 16 with back pain?
Commonly, back problems in children and teens are mostly caused trauma or injury due to falls, play, sports, poor posture, spinal disorders such as spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, or some extraordinary stress or strain for example due to carrying a heavy backpack.
Can puberty cause back pain?
Back pain is a common condition that starts early in life and seems to increase markedly during puberty.
What are the red flags for back pain in children?
Limp (intermittent or persistent) or gait changes. Joint symptoms elsewhere. Stiffness with inactivity or rest, or in the morning for more than 30 minutes. Vertebral or localised spinal tenderness (including sacroiliac joints) or deformity (such as scoliosis) are detected on examination.
Is it OK for a 15 year old to have back pain?
Summary – While it’s not as common as it is in adults, back pain can be a problem for kids and teens. Children who play sports, lug heavy backpacks at school, or are at a higher body weight are more likely to have back pain. Muscular injuries, stress fractures, and disc herniations are common reasons that young people have back pain.
Does my back hurt because I’m growing?
What You Should Know About Growth Spurt Back Pain During Puberty – Those pains that children often complain about we usually attribute to so-called growth pains. These growth pains typically occur between the ages of eight to thirteen years old in girls and ten to fifteen years old in boys.
When children undergo periods of rapid growth, their muscular and skeletal structures may develop at varying rates resulting in pain in the muscles and joints. These discomforts have the possibility of being managed effectively using the correct tools and systems.Therefore, the legs, spine, and limbs will require coordination in some manner to ensure their functioning is effectively communicated within the body. Movement and stretching are key factors in this regard, and you should not underestimate their efficiency.We all know how active children are. Combined with rapid growth, it’s imperative to apply some form of a lower back stretch using a stretch aid to counter possible injuries and try to aid performance. Injuries mean no exercise, and the lack of movement is never ideal for managing specific types of pain.
How long does most back pain last?
What is back pain? – Back pain is one of most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. Back pain can range in intensity from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp or shooting pain. There are two types of back pain:
Acute (short-term) back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. It usually resolves on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no long-term loss of function. Chronic back pain is pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of back pain has been treated.
Risk factors for low back pain
Age: The first attack of low back pain typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 50 and may become more common as you age. Fitness level: Back pain is more common among people who are not physically fit, as their muscles may not properly support the spine. Weight gain: Being overweight, obese, or quickly gaining significant amounts of weight can put stress on your back and cause pain. Genetics: Some causes of back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis (a form of arthritis that affects the spine), have a genetic component. Job-related factors: Job that requires heavy lifting, pushing or pulling, or twisting or vibrating the spine can injure your back, as can sitting at a desk all day, especially if you have poor posture or sit in a chair with not enough back support. Mental health: Anxiety, mood, and depression can influence how you perceive your back pain and stress can cause muscle tension. Smoking: This can restrict blood flow and oxygen to your discs, causing them to degenerate faster. Backpack overload in children: A backpack overloaded with schoolbooks and supplies can strain the back and cause muscle fatigue.
Recommendations for keeping your back healthy
Avoid movements that jolt or strain your back. Exercise regularly to keep your muscles strong and flexible. Consult a physician for a list of low-impact, age-appropriate exercises that are specifically targeted to strengthening lower back and abdominal muscles. Maintain a healthy weight and eat a nutritious diet that promotes new bone growth. Use ergonomically designed furniture and equipment at home and at work. Switch sitting positions often and periodically walk around the office or gently stretch your muscles to relieve tension. Put your feet on a low stool or a stack of books when sitting for a long time. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes. Sleeping on your side with your knees drawn up in a fetal position can help open up the joints in the spine and relieve pressure by reducing the curvature of the spine. Always sleep on a firm surface. Don’t try to lift objects that are too heavy. Lift from the knees, keep a straight back, and objects close to the body. Quit smoking. Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine, which can contribute to spinal disc degeneration. Smoking also increases the risk of osteoporosis and impedes healing. Coughing due to heavy smoking also may cause back pain.
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Why does my 15 year old son have back pain?
Problems that affect a child’s back are most often due to injuries from sports or play, falls, or unusual strain, such as that caused by wearing a heavy backpack, Back pain and stiffness are most often caused by a pulled muscle, a strained ligament, or bruising. Symptoms of back pain usually disappear within a week without special treatment.
Why does my 13 year old have back pain?
Overuse and muscle strains are by far the most common causes of back pain in children and teens but usually resolve after a period of rest or activity modification. Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, as well as ice or warm compresses may also help relieve symptoms.
When should I be concerned about my child’s back pain?
Symptoms – It is important to check with a doctor if your child reports severe or progressively worsening back pain, pain that lasts more than several days, or pain that is associated with other warning signs such as:
High temperature/Fever. Unexplained Weight loss. Night pain or pain at rest. Trouble walking. Weakness in legs or arms. Numbness or decreased feeling in the leg or foot. Pain that goes down one or both legs. Bowel or bladder problems. The child is younger than 6 years old.
When should I seek help for back pain?
When Should I See a Doctor for Back Pain? – Content When your back first starts to hurt, try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever (for example, aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen) and applying ice in the first 48 hours. You may apply heat after 48 hours.
You may need to take it easy for a while, but “it’s best to stay as active as tolerated, and to avoid absolute bed rest,” said Dr. Guo. If your back pain lasts more than two weeks and keeps you from participating in normal, daily activities, see your family doctor. If your pain is severe, you should see a doctor sooner.
You should seek urgent medical care if you have:
Fever associated with back pain Back pain after trauma Loss of bladder or bowel control Loss of strength in your arms and legs Unexplained weight loss associated with back pain
Also, always be more cautious if you have special risk factors for cancer, infection, or fractures that may affect the spine.
Why does my back hurt and I’m only 17?
What Causes Back Pain in Young Adults? – Low back pain is not often considered to be a potential problem among young adults. So when back pain strikes at a young age, it comes as a surprise and a source of confusion as to the cause. In our youth, we may think we are indestructible, but it is not uncommon for back pain to appear in our twenties and thirties.
Why does my back hurt so much?
2. Lifestyle factors – Lifestyle factors, like obesity, sitting for long periods of time, while sitting or standing, lack of exercise, stress that causes muscle tension in the back, being out of shape or may cause lower back pain. Over training, or improper form while exercising can also cause lower back pain.3
What age do girls stop growing?
Girls tend to have a major growth spurt between the ages of 10 and 14. Most will have reached their adult height by the time they are 14 or 15 years old. This major growth spurt happens during the phase of physical and psychosocial development known as puberty,
Everyone starts puberty at a different time, and genetics largely determines growth patterns. This means “normal” growth rates in humans occur within a range. During puberty, teenagers tend to experience a growth spurt that takes them to their adult height. Puberty is the transition from childhood to adulthood.
It describes a series of changes people go through as their bodies start to increase the production of certain hormones. In females, puberty tends to start between the ages of 8 and 13, The average age for females to start puberty is about age 9-10, However, it is different for everyone.
Once it has started, puberty tends to last for about 4 years, Starting puberty before the age of 8 is considered early in females. Puberty is late if breasts have not developed by age 13, or periods have not started by age 15. While there is often no cause for concern, it is recommended to consult with a doctor when signs of puberty are early or late.
The start of menstrual periods, known as menarche, happens on average around age 12, However, the observed range of ages at which periods can start is much wider, from ages 9 to 15. Acne is a common sign of puberty. Body hair typically increases and may become darker.
- The hormones associated with puberty may also make teenagers feel emotional or moody.
- This is a normal and expected part of this time of life.
- Females usually experience their fastest growth spurt around age 11 or 12,
- After menstruation starts, it is typical to grow another 7 cm (2.75 inches) in height.
It is also typical for females to gain weight during puberty. Usually, females reach adult height around age 14 or 15. However, this can vary. Other factors that can have an impact on height include:
Nutrition: Malnourished children are often shorter and smaller than expected during childhood. However, with proper nutrition, they may be able to catch up before adulthood, Hormonal imbalances: Low thyroid or growth hormone levels, for example, can lead to slower growth rates and shorter adult height. Medications: The use of some medicines can slow growth. The long-term use of corticosteroids is one possible example of this. However, some conditions that are treated with corticosteroids, such as asthma, can also affect growth, Chronic illness: Long-term health conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, kidney disease, and celiac disease can lead to a shorter than expected adult height. Children who have had cancer may also be shorter as adults. Genetic conditions: Children with Noonan syndrome and Turner syndrome are expected to be shorter than their peers. Those with Marfan syndrome tend to be taller.
Because growth patterns are largely determined by genetics, there are a lot of variabilities when it comes to “normal” height. Expectations for overall growth based on age come from studies of healthy populations of children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of growth charts from the World Health Organization (WHO) until age 2 to guide expectations.
CDC growth charts are then used for ages 3-19. If there are concerns about a child’s growth, a doctor can use growth charts to help determine whether their rate of growth is typical. Breast development (thelarche) is usually the first sign of puberty in females. The earliest sign of breast growth happens when bumps develop under the nipple, called breast buds.
As these buds grow, they will form breasts made up of mammary glands and fatty tissues. Breasts can start to develop from around age 9 or 10, For some, the earliest stages of growth can start as young as ages 6 to 8, Doctors define signs of puberty before age 8 as precocious (early) puberty.
- In most cases, early signs of puberty are benign and do not require treatment.
- Breast growth typically continues throughout puberty.
- Certain aspects of breast size are hereditary, meaning it runs in the family.
- Breasts will also vary in size depending on a person’s weight.
- After puberty, breast tissue continues to change and respond to hormones throughout life, including during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding or chestfeeding, and menopause,
Teenagers can sometimes feel self-conscious about this element of growing up. However, it is normal to:
have one breast slightly bigger than the otherhave sore or swollen breasts at times, particularly around a periodhave hair around the nipples, or stretch marks
A well-balanced diet and regular physical activity will support growth and healthy development. However, puberty and subsequent growth can be delayed for a variety of reasons. Constitutional delay, or “being a late bloomer,” describes a pattern of later development that runs in families and is nothing to worry about.
- These teenagers will fully develop, just later than their peers.
- Children with long-term conditions, such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or kidney disease, may also experience delayed puberty.
- This may be less likely if the condition is well-controlled, with limited complications.
- Conditions affecting the pituitary or thyroid glands, which produce the hormones the body needs to grow and develop, can also delay puberty.
Likewise, some genetic conditions can interfere with the process. Intensive training and restrictive eating may delay the onset of puberty in young female athletes. In contrast, obesity is associated with an earlier start to puberty. These variations may be due to changes in hormone levels associated with activity levels and body composition.
What are signs of a growth spurt?
What are the signs of growth spurts? – Changes in your child’s height and weight caused by increases in bone, muscle and fat are the most immediate signs that your child is experiencing a growth spurt. Other signs of a growth spurt include:
Decrease or increase in appetite. Fussiness or emotional outbursts. Baby teeth appearing and adult (permanent) teeth replacing baby teeth. Sexual development (menstruation, voice change, pubic hair growth).
Why does a 17 year old have back pain?
What Causes Back Pain in Young Adults? – Low back pain is not often considered to be a potential problem among young adults. So when back pain strikes at a young age, it comes as a surprise and a source of confusion as to the cause. In our youth, we may think we are indestructible, but it is not uncommon for back pain to appear in our twenties and thirties.
At what age is back pain common?
According to Dr. Ilacqua, most people start noticing back pain between the ages of 40 and 60. However, there isn’t necessarily cause for concern if it starts younger — some people begin to feel the effects of an aging spine as young as 30.
At what age does back pain start?
What is back pain? – Back pain is one of most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. Back pain can range in intensity from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp or shooting pain. There are two types of back pain:
Acute (short-term) back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. It usually resolves on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no long-term loss of function. Chronic back pain is pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of back pain has been treated.
Risk factors for low back pain
Age: The first attack of low back pain typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 50 and may become more common as you age. Fitness level: Back pain is more common among people who are not physically fit, as their muscles may not properly support the spine. Weight gain: Being overweight, obese, or quickly gaining significant amounts of weight can put stress on your back and cause pain. Genetics: Some causes of back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis (a form of arthritis that affects the spine), have a genetic component. Job-related factors: Job that requires heavy lifting, pushing or pulling, or twisting or vibrating the spine can injure your back, as can sitting at a desk all day, especially if you have poor posture or sit in a chair with not enough back support. Mental health: Anxiety, mood, and depression can influence how you perceive your back pain and stress can cause muscle tension. Smoking: This can restrict blood flow and oxygen to your discs, causing them to degenerate faster. Backpack overload in children: A backpack overloaded with schoolbooks and supplies can strain the back and cause muscle fatigue.
Recommendations for keeping your back healthy
Avoid movements that jolt or strain your back. Exercise regularly to keep your muscles strong and flexible. Consult a physician for a list of low-impact, age-appropriate exercises that are specifically targeted to strengthening lower back and abdominal muscles. Maintain a healthy weight and eat a nutritious diet that promotes new bone growth. Use ergonomically designed furniture and equipment at home and at work. Switch sitting positions often and periodically walk around the office or gently stretch your muscles to relieve tension. Put your feet on a low stool or a stack of books when sitting for a long time. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes. Sleeping on your side with your knees drawn up in a fetal position can help open up the joints in the spine and relieve pressure by reducing the curvature of the spine. Always sleep on a firm surface. Don’t try to lift objects that are too heavy. Lift from the knees, keep a straight back, and objects close to the body. Quit smoking. Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine, which can contribute to spinal disc degeneration. Smoking also increases the risk of osteoporosis and impedes healing. Coughing due to heavy smoking also may cause back pain.
Learn About Clinical Trials Clinical trials are studies that allow us to learn more about disorders and improve care. They can help connect patients with new and upcoming treatment options.