Back Pain in Children

What are signs and symptoms of back pain?

Back pain symptoms can be different for each child. Common symptoms include:

• Increasing pain with bending or movement, including movement from sports
• Increased pain with prolonged sitting or standing
• Short periods of tingling in the buttocks and legs
• Difficulty getting comfortable after physical activities

When to call the doctor because of your child's back pain

Please contact your child's doctor if your child has any of these symptoms:

• Back pain lasting longer than a month
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Pain that routinely wakes your child at night
• Fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Weakness or tingling in arms or legs
• Persistent numbness

How is back pain diagnosed?

Diagnosis and management of your child’s back pain should begin with their primary care provider. After learning about your child's symptoms and examining your child, your doctor may recommend treatments such as:

• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Occasional use of over-the-counter medications
• Massage therapy
• Acupuncture

At Children's Hospital Colorado, we don’t recommend using narcotic pain medications and muscle relaxants to treat back pain in kids and teenagers.

If your child’s back pain concerns you, see their primary care doctor first. If your doctor has concerns about your child's pain, they may refer your child to the Orthopedics Institute at Children's Colorado by calling 720-777-6600.

When might my child need tests for back pain?

If your child fails to improve after doing 2 to 3 months of a home exercise program and/or physical therapy, your child's orthopedic provider may consider ordering tests such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan and/or blood tests.

Your child’s doctor may recommend an MRI if they're concerned about a problem with your child's spinal cord or nerves. However, these problems are rare in kids and teenagers. Our providers often start spinal imaging with low-dose radiation to assess the bone structure and alignment of the spine before ordering an MRI.

For most patients with back pain, an MRI is not necessary in developing a diagnosis or treatment plan. Our providers will only order an MRI when it is needed to make a diagnosis.

If our specialists do order an MRI for your child, our pediatric radiology team and child life specialists will support your child to make it a positive experience.

How is back pain in children treated?

Fortunately, it is very uncommon for a child to need surgery for back pain.

Research and experience show that a daily exercise program can greatly reduce your child's back pain. Our team connects you with the best provider to manage your child’s pain and arrange more tests, if needed.

If your child’s back pain doesn’t improve, your doctor may refer you to the Pain Clinic at Children's Colorado where pain specialists will work together to help your child.

Can exercise improve back pain in children?

Committing to a home exercise program focusing on stretching and core muscle strengthening is important in treating your child's back pain. Here are some home exercise tips:

• It typically takes 6 to 8 weeks of consistent exercise for pain to decrease.
• Activities such as Pilates, yoga, swimming, walking or bicycling are great ways for your child to strengthen their core muscles.
• You may consider adding alternative treatments such as chiropractic care, massage and acupuncture to support your child's home exercise program.

Exercises that support a healthy spine

Watch this video playlist and/or share it with your child to learn 20 exercises that can help you strengthen your child's core and protect their spine.

Physical therapy for back pain treatment in kids

Your child's provider works with you to find out whether a home exercise program is enough to treat their back pain. They may also refer your child to a physical therapist if needed.

Physical therapy works only if your child does the recommended exercises at home every day. The time commitment for doing exercises is 10 to 15 minutes per day at least five days a week.

Other things that can help improve back pain

You can encourage your child to:

• Avoid activities that cause back pain.
• Keep doing activities they enjoy, including a variety of exercises.
• Live a balanced life, maintain a positive attitude, and keep up with schoolwork.
• Spend time with friends and family.
• Reduce stress and get proper sleep (at least eight hours a night for teenagers)
• Maintain a healthy diet and body weight, and discuss weight problems with their pediatrician, family doctor or pediatric weight management specialist.

Why choose our Spine Program for treatment of your child's back pain?

The Spine Program at Children's Colorado evaluates and treats infants, children, adolescents and young adults with all types of spinal conditions and injuries, ranging from back pain to complex neuromuscular disease and trauma.

Our pediatric spine care team is among the most knowledgeable in the country. For the most basic to the most complex spinal conditions, our goal is to always provide the safest, most effective treatments.