Advice from a Sciatica Pain Doctor Near Me in Hackensack

If you are concerned your child may struggle with back pain, look for the following signs:

• Pain that keeps your child awake at night, affecting their everyday life
• Discomfort that prevents them from playing games or sports
• Certain activities, such as lifting objects, carrying a backpack, or sitting down for many hours worsen the pain
• Pain that spreads to other regions (leg pain, neck pain, shoulder pain)
• Their walking and running may be affected by the discomfort
• The spine has an unnatural curvature or twist

What can cause back pain in children?

Back discomfort was commonly thought to have a significant cause. Still, many kids and teens suffer from back discomfort without having a serious underlying condition. Extensive testing revealed that, in 78 out of 100 youngsters dealing with back problems, the source of the problem could not be traced back to a specific condition.

This isn’t to say that severe reasons should be overlooked, but it’s critical to establish a balance between searching for serious diseases and exposing children to needless and often painful examinations.

While your kid’s back discomfort is probably caused by something minor, it is worth knowing the most common reasons that can lead to it:

• Muscle or ligament strain due to repeated movement
• Slipped discs, which can compress a nerve and cause nerve pain
• Spondylolysis, which happens mostly in teenagers involved in sports
• Infections (discitis, osteomyelitis, retroperitoneal infection)
• Congenital disorders

When should I take my child to see a pain doctor?

As we mentioned, back pain in children is rarely a sign of major concern. This does not mean, however, that you should not take your kid to see a doctor if their everyday life is significantly affected by the discomfort.

Naturally, you want what’s best for your child, so you probably want to know when you should take them to a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. The following are signs your child’s condition may need to be inspected by a physician:

• The child is under 4 years of age
• The pain persists for over one month
• You notice sudden weight loss
• They have a fever
• The pain worsens as time passes
• They feel numbness or weakness in the muscles
• There is an unnatural curvature of the spine
• Your child complains about stiffness or reduced mobility

How will the consultation go?

There is a big difference in the way a doctor will consult a child compared to how they will consult an adult. Kids are more sensitive when visiting a doctor, so the specialist should make the consultation go as smoothly as possible.

During the appointment, the doctor will first want to check the location of the pain, discomfort, or weakness to see if there are any visible signs of injury or infection. They will also look at the curvature of the back and check for unusual things. The doctor may also want to check your kid’s walk, how much they can bend, as well as if there are any mobility issues.

After gathering information about your child’s symptoms and examining them, the doctor may wish to do certain tests. In most situations, a blood test and an X-ray will be the only ones required.

Does my child need specialized treatment?

Back discomfort is common in youngsters and usually goes away without therapy. According to studies, nearly half of all teens with back discomfort find relief with minimal pain management.

Common pain relievers are often prescribed as the first line of treatment. Your kid may be sent to a physiotherapist, who will advise on any lifestyle modifications that may be done to reduce discomfort and prevent it from recurring or be recommended minimally invasive treatment such as epidural steroid injections if the pain persists. The expertise of an orthopaedic surgeon is rarely requested.

What can parents do to prevent these issues?

Sitting and standing correctly might help to prevent back discomfort. Lifting correctly and avoiding repetitive movements that strain the spine, such as over-exertion while participating in sports, can also be beneficial.

Heavy backpacks are a major source of back discomfort in kids. Check that they aren’t excessively heavy and that the weight is spread evenly.

Should I Schedule an Appointment with a Sciatica Pain Doctor Near Me in Hackensack?

If you are concerned your child’s back discomfort may signal a worrying condition, it’s time to schedule a visit to a sciatica pain doctor near you in Hackensack. Our board-certified back specialists will be the ones to diagnose your child and determine the appropriate treatment plans. But you shouldn’t worry as in most cases, the back pain goes away in a few weeks, and your child can go back to their everyday activities. To be on the safe side, book an appointment at one of our conveniently-placed pain clinics in Paramus on Route 17, near the Paramus Park Mall, in Clifton, NJ, on Route 46 E, past the Ford dealership, in West Orange, near the Essex Country Club, and in Woodland Park clinic, on McBride Avenue, right next to Woodland Park Dialysis Center.