There are various causes of back pain in children, ranging from carrying a bag that is too heavy, sitting in the wrong position, to certain diseases. If your baby feels this complaint, there are some tips you can do to overcome it.
Back pain is a common complaint that may have been experienced by everyone, including children who are still in school. Even though it's natural, you still need to be vigilant if your little one's back pain appears continuously, because it could be a serious cause of back pain in children.
Causes of Back Pain in Children and How to Overcome It
Here are some possible causes of back pain in children and how to deal with them:
1. Bags that are too heavy
School bags that are too heavy are one of the most common causes of back pain in children. It is recommended that children carry less than 10-15% of their body weight. For example, in a child weighing 40 kg, ideally he should only carry a load of about 3 kg.
2. Wrong sitting position
Although it looks simple, sitting position can affect the structure of the spine. If your child is used to sitting for a long time in the wrong position, for example bending or tilting, over time he will complain of back pain.
3. Sports injuries
Exercise is important for your little one's growth and development. However, if the intensity is too high and excessive or done with the wrong technique, exercise can actually make children injured. If the injury occurs in his back, your little one may complain of back pain.
Sports that can increase a child's risk for back pain include football, gymnastics, and lifting weights.
4. Certain diseases
Sometimes, back pain in children can also be caused by certain diseases that should not be underestimated, such as obesity, urinary tract or kidney infections, kidney stones, to abnormalities in the spine, such as scoliosis or tumors.
To deal with back pain complaints in children, you can try several ways, namely:
- Give a cold compress and alternate with a warm compress for about 15-20 minutes. This method can be repeated up to 3 times per day until the pain is reduced.
- Give a gentle massage on the child's back.
- Limit children's activities and let them rest.
- Apply a pain-relieving ointment or gel, such as diclofenac sodium, to the child's back. If the pain does not improve, you can also give a pain reliever syrup or tablet, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- Reduce the contents of the child's bag and adjust the size of the bag to his posture. In addition, choose a bag made of canvas to make it comfortable to wear and make sure the weight of the bag is evenly distributed on both shoulders of the child.
If the various methods above do not work to overcome back pain in children, you should take your little one to the doctor to determine the cause of the complaint.
After examining the condition of your little one and knowing the cause of the back pain he is feeling, the doctor will provide treatment according to the cause. For example, if your child has back pain due to an injury, the doctor may prescribe pain relievers and suggest physiotherapy.
Meanwhile, if it is caused by an infection, the doctor can give antibiotics. To treat back pain in children due to tumors or spinal deformities, doctors may recommend surgery.
Tips for Preventing Back Pain in Children
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Therefore, come on, Bun, prevent back pain in children in the following ways:
- Get used to the child to sit and stand properly, namely in an upright position.
- Limit the time children watch television and play gadgets, for example 1-2 hours per day.
- Encourage active children to exercise regularly and correctly. However, avoid excessive or strenuous physical activity or exercise.
- Remind your child to always do light stretches between activities, including before and after sports.
- Reduce stress on your child and allow him to sleep for 8–10 hours every night.
Basically, back pain in children is only temporary and can go away on its own in about a few days to a week.
However, if your child's back pain is getting worse, causing him to wake up frequently at night, or accompanied by fever, weight loss, pain that radiates to the legs, difficulty moving the legs, tingling, and weakness, you should immediately take your child to the doctor for advice. handling.
