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.