Children deserve the best chances they can get to succeed and be happy in life, and much of that begins in the classroom. Like in their homes, the better chances young people have to succeed in their classrooms and perform well academically, the more likely they are to achieve their career goals and have fulfilling, meaningful lives.
It falls on the parents to ensure their kids do well in school. Something often overlooked is the back pain many students experience while at school, pain and discomfort that may be distracting them from their studies and holding them back from realizing their full potential.
Back Pain in Young People? More Prevalent Than You May Think
It doesn’t get talked about much, and some families don’t even know it’s occurring, but according to the International Association for the Study of Pain, at least one in five school-age children experience back pain. Another study found that 75% of children aged 8-12 experience back pain, often linking the pain to their heavy, poorly-designed backpacks and other academic activities that put a lot of strain on the back and set the stage for poor posture. The research found lower back pain, in particular, tends to become more prevalent as young people age, with adolescents in their teens recording higher rates of lower back pain than children in their pre-teen years.[1]
The findings also showed that back pain in young people seems to be increasing. The latest studies have shown that America is now experiencing the highest rates of back pain in children ever recorded. This is causing worry within the medical community, as pain symptoms in one’s youth tend to bode poorly for one’s quality of life as an adult.
To be clear, not all studies arrive at the same conclusion. Some say only 20% of young people struggle with back pain. Others say 75% suffer from some form of back pain. Some say girls struggle with these pain symptoms more than boys do, while others say young people who engage in competitive sports are at much higher risk than youths who have moderately active lifestyles.
One thing all the studies agree on is this: The prevalence of back pain in young people is increasing, and it’s not being talked about enough.
Five Tips for Parents
Thankfully, there is much that parents can do to keep their children safe and pain-free, an essential task if children are going to focus at school, get good grades, develop academic interests, and appropriately prepare themselves for higher education and a career.
Here’s a look at what parents can do:
1). Physical Activity Helps Alleviate Discomfort. Moderate physical activity (with particular emphasis on the word ‘moderate’) is a preventative remedy for reducing back pain and reducing early-onset symptoms. Quoting one of the studies, “Moderate and regular endurance sports such as running, swimming or cycling, appear to be a protective factor for non-specific back pain in adolescence. In contrast, high levels of physical activity in athletes, technical sports, and especially competitive sports represent a risk factor for the occurrence of non-specific back pain in adolescence.”
2). Using the right backpack can help alleviate pain. Young people should use a high-quality backpack with sufficient shoulder and waist straps. They should always use both shoulder straps and position the backpack high on their back, not low on their hips. They should also be mindful not to overload the backpack, taking only what they need for each class and storing the rest in a desk or locker.
3). Computer and keyboard placement are key. So much of academic work today is done on a computer and keyboard. Students must be coached on how to work at a computer desk comfortably and in a way that protects their backs. They should be taught to adjust their chair so their feet can be placed on the floor with their knees even to or below their hips. The keyboard should be placed at a height that allows for relaxed shoulders and straight wrists. The computer monitor should be arm’s length away and at head height.
4). Posture is essential to avoiding back pain. Bad posture early in life can set the stage for back pain now and serious problems later. Cool Springs Chiropractic’s Dr. Peter Hinz says, “Keep your chest high with your shoulders back and relaxed while standing. Keep your feet parallel and remember to place your weight on both feet evenly, not leaning to one side as many of us tend to do. However remember to keep your knees relaxed and avoid the tendency to lock them when your weight is balanced evenly. For sitting, find a chair that allows both your feet to rest flat on the floor with your knees level to your hips. Keep your upper back and neck straight with your shoulders relaxed.”
5). Breaks are critical. Students should be allowed multiple breaks throughout the school day to get up, move around, exercise, get fresh air, eat and drink healthy foods and beverages, and walk around the school and grounds. Parents should advocate for more recess periods if students aren’t getting enough breaks away from their desks, computers, and backpacks. (It’s important to note that students benefit from multiple short breaks instead of one long break).
Correctly Diagnosing Back Pain in Students
If parents implement the above tips and their students are still struggling with an aching or sore back, it’s time to diagnose the problem further. Parents should talk to their kids about the pain and attempt to identify its source and the type of pain. They should examine their students to see if they display the following:
- Their head is not resting at the center of the body
- There is a difference in arm length or position when standing straight
- There is a difference in shoulder, shoulder blade, or hip height or position
- While bending forward, the sides of the back appear to be of different heights
If the child has obvious signs like those above, they may need to be diagnosed with scoliosis or another type of spinal deformity that could be causing the back pain. Serious back pain caused by congenital developmental issues like scoliosis or back injuries will require chiropractic care to treat. The tips listed previously won’t fully address the problem.
Helping Your Student Overcome Their Back Pain
If parents do everything they can to alleviate and prevent back pain in their sons and daughters and symptoms persist, it’s important to seek chiropractic care for children. Cool Springs Chiropractic helps children experience healthy, pain-free lives every day. Again quoting Dr. Peter Hinz, Franklin’s award-winning chiropractor:
“At Cool Springs Chiropractic, our expert team provides tailored chiropractic care to address your unique health needs. Whether you’re looking to relieve pain, improve mobility, or enhance your overall wellness, we’re here to help you achieve your goals through a patient-centered approach that accurately diagnoses conditions like back pain in children and then treats the underlying problems causing those symptoms. The result? Our patients leave our office feeling pain-free, healthier, happier, and more mobile.”
Schedule an appointment for your child by calling (615) 503-9900 or use our online system to access a limited-time $49 New Patient Special. Our office is conveniently located at 3252 Aspen Grove Drive, Suite 13 in Franklin, Tennessee—email info@coolspringschiropractic.com for more information.
Sources:
[1] IASP. “Back Pain in Children and Adolescents.” International Association for the Study of Pain, 2021. iasp-pain.org
