Why Younger People Are Getting Back Pain

The typical impression of back pain is that it starts in early middle age when you experience the beginnings of your body’s decline. That general pattern often holds up, but back pain can affect anyone of any age. 

At Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management, we’ve seen a rising trend of younger patients seeking treatment for back pain.

A 2020 study shows that more than one-third of the child and teen participants experienced back pain within the previous 12 months, and nearly 9% suffered from severe symptoms. Many of the same reasons for back pain carry over into young adulthood. 

So, why are younger people getting back pain? This month, we look at factors that cause back pain at an earlier age. 

Muscle pain

Plenty of times, back pain results from simply overdoing things. Lifting heavy objects without proper technique or making awkward movements that demand too much of your back can happen to anyone. 

That results in back strain, but the resilience of youth may minimize the effects and ensure a quick recovery. 

While there are unusual and rare medical conditions like ankylosing spondylitis and juvenile degenerative disc disease, young people most often experience muscle strains and ligament sprains causing back pain. 

Common causes of back pain in younger people include: 

Obesity

Carrying extra pounds can make demands on your spine and back that cause or complicate back pain. That’s particularly true when extra weight is concentrated in the abdomen. 

Though the spine is meant to support weight in a cantilevered fashion with much of your body weight forward, overweight and obese people have a significantly greater amount of force acting on the spine. 

Posture

A reality of the modern age is the pervasiveness of digital devices. Smartphones and tablets frequently require a head-forward posture that puts strain on the soft tissue of the neck and shoulders, a condition known as tech neck. 

Intense activity

Sports-crazy kids can be busy year-round with games and training. Overexertion can happen at any time, and repeated motions may become a problem for young athletes who concentrate on single sports that may not work their backs through a full range of motion. 

When to seek medical help

Many instances of back pain in children, teens, and young adults are minor. Rest and time away from activities that make the pain worse are often enough to ensure recovery. 

Losing even modest amounts of weight can significantly reduce the forces on the spine for people with higher body mass. Limiting screen time or transferring to an ergonomic computer workstation can help relieve tech neck. 

It’s time to call our office when you or your child experience conditions like:

• Pain that doesn’t show signs of improvement in a few days
• Recurring pain in the same location
• Back pain that also features symptoms like numbness, pain, or tingling in the legs

With two locations in East and West Des Moines, Iowa, Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management is ready to help. Call or click today to book your appointment.