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Global Insight Network

Can growing cause back pain?

Author

Matthew Barrera

Updated on April 12, 2026

The rate of back pain in children increases with increasing age. By the age of 15 years, 20 to 70 percent of children will report some back pain. Although most back pain is not due to an underlying serious problem, this is not always the case, especially in children under 5 years.

Also, can you get growing pains in your back?

Growing pains in back It could be poor posture or muscle strain, but it may also be a sign of a more serious underlying disorder, especially if the pain lasts for more than a few days or gets progressively worse. See your doctor if that is the case.

Also, is back pain a sign of puberty? Back pain is a common condition that starts early in life and seems to increase markedly during puberty.

Likewise, people ask, what do growing pains feel like in back?

The pain is usually felt in the late afternoon and evening, right before dinner time, and at bedtime. In general, growing pains are felt in both legs, especially in the front of the thighs, back of legs (calves), or behind the knees. Studies suggest that children who have growing pains may be more sensitive to pain.

Why does my daughter have lower back pain?

The most common causes of back pain in children and adolescents are muscular strain, injury, or overuse combined with core muscle imbalance. Conditions such as infection, tumor, deformity, and other disease processes are much less common.

Related Question Answers

What can back pain be a sign of?

Back pain is a symptom. Common causes of back pain involve disease or injury to the muscles, bones, and/or nerves of the spine. Pain arising from abnormalities of organs within the abdomen, pelvis, or chest may also be felt in the back.

Why does my back hurt as a teenager?

Possible Causes: On the other hand, children who are overly sedentary (i.e., don't move much) may have back pain from weak core muscles, back strain from being overweight, or poor posture. Scoliosis (a severe curvature of the spine) is a possible cause of back pain, especially in adolescent girls.

Are growing pains a real thing?

Growing pains are often described as an ache or throb in the legs — often in the front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees. Growing pains tend to affect both legs and occur at night, and may even wake a child from sleep. Although these pains are called growing pains, there's no evidence that growth hurts.

Can you get growing pains at 22?

Growing pains are an aching or throbbing pain in the legs or other extremities. They usually affect children ages 3 to 5 and 8 to 12. While the cause of growing pains is unknown, it may be linked to children being active during the day. Growing pains are diagnosed when other conditions are ruled out.

What age do growing pains stop?

Usually they happen when kids are between the ages of 3 and 5 or 8 and 12. Doctors don't believe that growing actually causes pain, but growing pains stop when kids stop growing. By the teen years, most kids don't get growing pains anymore. Kids get growing pains in their legs.

What does it mean when the upper part of your back hurts?

Upper and middle back pain may be caused by: Overuse, muscle strain, or injury to the muscles, ligaments, and discs that support your spine. Poor posture. Pressure on the spinal nerves from certain problems, such as a herniated disc.

When your bones grow too fast for your body?

Osgood-Schlatter disease is seen in the growing child and adolescent, particularly those who participate in athletics. This is an age where the bones are typically growing faster than the muscles and tendons. As a result, the muscles and tendons have a tendency to become tight.

How do you know that you are growing?

When keeping tabs on kids' growth, there are six things you should look out for:
  1. She Is Always Hungry.
  2. He Recently Started Puberty.
  3. All of His Pants Are Suddenly Too Short.
  4. She Sleeps More Than Usual.
  5. He Is Suddenly Crashing Into Everything.
  6. He Is Gaining Weight.

How bad can Growing Pains get?

Growing pains usually cause an aching or throbbing feeling in the legs. This pain often occurs in the front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees. Usually both legs hurt. Some children may also experience abdominal pain or headaches during episodes of growing pains.

Do growing pains mean a growth spurt?

The cause of growing pains is unknown. But there's no evidence that a child's growth is painful. Growing pains don't usually happen where growth is occurring or during times of rapid growth. It's been suggested that growing pains may be linked to restless legs syndrome.

How long does growing pain last?

The duration of the pain is usually between 10 and 30 minutes, although it might range from minutes to hours. The degree of pain can be mild or very severe. Growing pains are intermittent, with pain-free intervals from days to months. In some children the pain can occur daily.

Why do I have growing pains at 20?

Growing pains usually occur in both legs, in the calves, front of thighs, and behind the knees. Bone growth isn't actually painful. While the cause of growing pains is unknown, it may be linked to children being active during the day.

Why does my 11 year old have back pain?

The most common causes of back pain in children and adolescents are muscular strain, injury, or overuse combined with core muscle imbalance. Conditions such as infection, tumor, deformity, and other disease processes are much less common.

Is it normal for a 15 year old to have back pain?

As stated, muscular back pain is by far the most common cause of back pain in children and adolescents. Injuries include muscle strains and ligament strains,3? overuse injuries, problems with posture, and poor conditioning of the muscles of the back.

Why would a 14 year old have back pain?

Back Pain in Children & Teens. ??Problems that affect a child's back are most often due to injuries from sports or play, falls, or unusual strain, such as that caused by wearing a heavy backpack. Back pain and stiffness are most often caused by a pulled muscle, a strained ligament, or bruising.

Why is my child complaining of back pain?

The most common causes of back pain in children and adolescents are muscular strain, injury, or overuse combined with core muscle imbalance. Conditions such as infection, tumor, deformity, and other disease processes are much less common.

Why do I have back pain at 17?

Possible Causes: On the other hand, children who are overly sedentary (i.e., don't move much) may have back pain from weak core muscles, back strain from being overweight, or poor posture. Scoliosis (a severe curvature of the spine) is a possible cause of back pain, especially in adolescent girls.

How do you get rid of back pain fast?

Use heat and cold. Studies show that heat and cold are effective ways to get relief from back pain. Ice packs are most beneficial when a person uses them directly after an injury, such as a strain. Applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel directly to the back can reduce inflammation.

Why does my 10 year olds back hurt?

The most common causes of back pain in children and adolescents are muscular strain, injury, or overuse combined with core muscle imbalance. Conditions such as infection, tumor, deformity, and other disease processes are much less common.

How can I cure my back pain?

12 Ways to Improve Back Pain
  1. Limit Bed Rest. Studies show that people with short-term low-back pain who rest feel more pain and have a harder time with daily tasks than those who stay active.
  2. Keep Exercising.
  3. Maintain Good Posture.
  4. See a Specialist.
  5. Strengthen Your Core.
  6. Improve Flexibility.
  7. Ditch the Brace.
  8. Apply Ice and Heat.