While back pain is typically associated with adults, elderly people and pregnant women, it’s not that unusual for teens these days to experience it as well.
What are some of the causes of back pain in teens? They can experience muscular sprain and strain thanks to their poor posture, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and carrying heavy school bags.
Think about all the times you see teens glued to their cellphones. They’re hunched over, holding onto their phones as if they were the most important thing in the world. When they’re not bent down looking at screens in front of them, they’re often sitting at desks looking at computer screens or at home watching TV. Is it any wonder that today’s teens are packing on pounds? They don’t move their bodies much, and they’re always “on screens.” It’s no wonder there are more teens with back problems today than in the past.
Some teens experience back pain because they have medical conditions, such as Scoliosis or disc herniations. Other “big word” problems they **could** have include Scheuermann’s disease, Spondylolisthesis, Osteoid osteomas, Osteomyelitis, Pyelonephritis, Ewing’s sarcoma, or Sickle Cell anemia.
Of the aforementioned conditions, consider Scheuermann’s disease, which is a problem with spine alignment. Basically, there’s a growth disorder of the vertebrae producing a humpback curvature leading to middle back pain. How about Spondylolisthesis, aka a slipped vertebra? This occurs at the base of the spine when one vertebra shifts on the one below it resulting in instability of the spine. When this happens, a spinal fusion surgery is usually needed. Then there’s Spondylolysis, a stress fracture of the vertebra. For teens, this often occurs when they’re participating in sports like swimming, gymnastics or football. Back pain is compounded by pain in the buttocks and legs.
Perhaps the most well known back pain issue for teens, though, is Scoliosis, which is defined as a lateral curvature in the normally straight vertical line of the spine. Those with this condition may lean heavily on one side with uneven shoulders, a prominent shoulder blade, an uneven waist.
If you’re a teen or the parent of a teen and suspect something is wrong with your back, consider making an appointment with Lakewoods Chiropractic. Please call the office at 651-464-0800. Chiropractic care has helped many teens find relief from their back pain.
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