Children and adolescents get aches and pains too. By the time they reach twenty years old, up to 75% of children will have had back or neck pain.1 For one in five, this back pain will become chronic.2 One in three teens deal with knee pain.3 4 The numbers are similar for other areas of musculoskeletal pain.4
Not only are these kids dealing with pain day-to-day, but their pain also has an impact. Some children miss school, stop participating in physical activity, they seek health care and use pain medication.5-7 These behaviours can continue into adulthood and have a ripple effect leading to wider health and well-being concerns. Such as obesity, depressed mood, poor sleep, lower academic achievement and the list goes on.8 9
My research is working towards a deeper understanding of the factors that lead to pain chronicity and greater pain impact in children and adolescents. With this knowledge we’ll be better able to manage pain and prevent pain from becoming problematic. Leading to happier and healthier lives for our children and adolescents all the way into adulthood.
Laura is currently studying a PhD at Sydney University examining pain in children and adolescence. If you’d like to know more you can book online with Laura here or give her a call on 0419 272 629
References; 1. Jeffries et al 2007, 2. King et al 2011, 3. Rathleff et al 2019, 4. Rathleff et al 2013, 5. Manchikanti L et al 2009, 6. O’Sullivan et al 2017, 7. Gobina et al 2015, 8. Williams et al 2018, 9. Blyth et al 2019.
