Chiropractic practices say that back pain does not affect adults the way that it does children. As compared to an adult a child who complains of backaches probably suffers from a disorder. This should be cause for alarm especially if the child in question is aged below 4 years and exhibits the following symptoms along with the condition –
- Pain that radiates down both legs
- Weight loss or fever
- Bladder or bowel issues
- Pain makes sleep impossible
- Trouble walking
- Weakness or numbness
Symptoms that accompany back pain in a child such as these should be identified early and treated before they become serious especially if the pain worsens over time.
Consulting the Doctor
Your doctor or chiropractor will probably ask general questions about your child’s health and the pain he feels. The aim of the diagnosis is to help the medical specialist determine the cause of the back pain before he prescribes the appropriate treatments. For instance the specialist may ask if there is anything that worsens the child’s condition and what he/she does to relieve the pain. Your doctor or chiropractic specialist will need to know how much the pain affects the child’s daily activities, how severe it is and where the discomfort is at its worst. For example, the doctor may determine that a nerve has been pinched if the back pain also escalates up the child’s leg. Other diagnostic measure may include –
The Spine
The chiropractic specialist may feel your child’s vertebrae to uncover the source of the pain. This will also help him find any deformities in the spine. For instance increased roundness in the back could be the cause. The doctor might also ask the child to perform certain actions. This may involve checking the posture, walking gait, assessing the child’s ability to bend on either side or touching the toes. If the child finds any of these activities difficult to do the problem may lie in the joints of the spine.
Muscles
The chiropractic specialist may also check the muscles in the back and legs. Any tenderness may indicate a strain and a possible cause for the back pain. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to back pain in children especially since their bodies are young and agile. In other words a child shouldn’t be suffering from back pain at all.