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Back Pain
Back pain is common for children and adults. There are many reasons why your child may have back pain. Some reasons include problems with the muscles, joints or bones. Back pain can also be caused by problems with the discs (tissue between the bones) that support the spine. Sometimes there can be more than one reason for back pain. Stress and anxiety can make back pain worse.
What causes back pain?
Your child’s medical provider will do a complete check-up to find the reason for the pain. This will include a complete health history and physical exam that can help decide if any other tests are needed. Tests such as X-rays and other images can show more detail that may help explain why there is pain. Blood tests can also help explain other causes of back pain. The medical provider will discuss a treatment plan with you.
Common reasons for back pain:
- Muscle strain
- Inflammation (swelling) of a joint
- Worn down discs
- Bone fractures (breaks)
- Pain syndromes that may cause pain all over the body
What is the treatment for back pain?
Treatment for back pain usually starts with physical therapy. Strengthening the muscles in the center of the body (or core) can help reduce back pain and prevent injury. Stretching exercises and activities that cause less pressure or stress on your joints, such as yoga and swimming, may also be helpful.
Medications can also help relieve the symptoms. Some examples of medications that can help are:
- Muscle relaxants
- Anti-seizure medications
- Anti-depressants
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, Naproxen)
If the first medicine doesn’t work right away, it helps to keep trying. Finding the best way to treat the pain can take a while.
What other treatments are available?
Stress can also make back pain worse. There are other treatments that may help reduce stress and also reduce pain. Treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (which can give you tools to help you learn how to better manage stressful life situations), biofeedback (biofeedback therapy teaches relaxation and mental exercises that can help decrease pain symptoms), and acupuncture may help decrease stress and help decrease pain. If you would like to learn more about these treatments, please talk to your doctor.
Other treatments for back pain can include a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit. This device uses stickers that stick to your skin and help the back muscles relax. When you use a TENS unit, you may feel a tingling sensation in your back muscles. Pain-relieving injections can help to decrease muscle cramps or reduce inflammation around joints and nerves. If you would like to learn more about these treatments, please talk to your doctor.