If Your Child is Complaining of Back Pain, pay attention
People of all ages experience back pain, and usually, kids are able to recover very quick from injuries that cause them pain, so their back pain usually is a result of some kind of injury, and they recover and are okay until the next incidence occurs. If your child complains of back pain, and there have been no injuries, or the pain lasts for more than a day or so, you should take him or her to the pediatrician, just to be certain everything is okay. Don't be surprised if your pediatrician orders a battery of tests, as a complaint of back pain is so uncommon in children. He will conduct his own examination, may perform a urinalysis, and depending on his own suspicions, may order X-rays, or even an MRI, to rule out a serious problem. You will probably be referred to a specialist, who can get to the bottom of your child's back pain, and treat it appropriately. You have to act quickly, or the problem causing the pain could result in a permanent condition that your child will have to deal with for the rest of his life.
It is not possible tp exactly predict what might cause your child to complain of back pain, because the causes may vary. Younger children are less likely to complain than older ones. The activities and games young children take part in are hardly ever a cause of back pain, unless they fall and sustain a severe injury- they recover quickly with rest and by taking Tylenol to ease the pain. In extreme cases, your child might have a tumor,an unknown spinal defect, or even a spinal infection like meningitis. If you do not find bruises or any signs of injury upon inspection, you must concern yourself with the inury and seek the opinion and advice of a specialist.
Older children are likely to take part in sports and perform other dangerous feats that most times will result in injury, therefore, they are much more likely to suffer back pain. Kids oftentimes hurt their vertebrae playing various sports, such as football, even though it might be a good idea to let the pediatrician look into it,it is likely that he will do no more than advise rest until the injury is healed adequately. You should attempt talking to your older children about how easy it is to seriously injure their backs, and that they should avoid trying to do take part in dangerous activities to show off for their friends. Sports related injuries, however, are almost unavoidable, particularly if you have a sporty child who enjoys competitive sports.
It is more than unlikely for an older child to develop a spinal infection or tumor. Most of the time, back pain in older kids is due to scoliosis, or a curving of the spine. Young girls are most likely to develop this condition, because they often have poor posture, and slouch. Still yet, injury is the most likely cause of back pain from the onset of puberty through adulthood.
You have to use your own appraisal of the situation on deciding whether or not your child needs to be seen by a physician, but in the case of back pain, it is not something that you should just ignore or take as a random complaint, especially if your child complains about this frequently.




