Our emergency departments are currently extremely busy, and you may face a long wait to be seen. More information is available on alternative services.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) Therapy Services
Back pain has been reported to be as common in adolescents as it is in adults.
It is estimated that 30 to 70% of adolescents report episodes of back pain between the ages of 10 to 17 years. Most common causes of adolescent muscular back pain are thought to arise from the muscles either side of the mid and lower spine rather than the spine itself.
If you would like a more in depth understanding of the anatomy of the spine, check out – AnatomyZone – Your Guide to Human Anatomy and search ‘back’.
It is unusual to have back pain under the age of 10 and you should seek immediate medical advice regarding this from your GP.
Your GP, Advanced Practitioner or Physiotherapist might have given you a diagnosis already, and directed you here.
However, if you have any of the following problems that accompany your back or neck pain, you need to seek Emergency Care via 111 or the Emergency Department:
This is the most common type of back pain in children and young adults and you can read more about it and some exercises that could help in the below leaflet.
Most back pains do not require any imagining to confirm diagnosis or to start treatment.
X-rays work by passing a low level radiation through the body to produce an image. Due to the radiation X-rays will only be used if there is no other way to accurately diagnose the problem or if there is a concern that there may be a more serious problem.
Radiologists (people who complete the X-rays) will only do one if they feel the referring clinician (such as a doctor, specialist physio or nurse practitioner) has given a valid reason for the risk of radiation. This means that you may have been referred for an X-ray but it has not been completed because the radiologists feel that other methods should be used to determine the problem first.
For more information about x-rays please see the NHS website below:
Scoliosis is a condition that can affect people of all ages; however, it is most commonly starts during adolescence between the ages of 10 and 15. It is a sideways curvature of the spine and the amount of curvature varies from person to person. There are no precursors to developing a scoliosis, although there is an increased risk of between 11 and 33 percent of developing one if a first degree relative has one.
In the case of a scoliosis an X-ray is required to determine the degree of curvature and this will allow for the medical team to determine the best course of treatment. There are clear International guidelines to advise on the most appropriate treatment for age and degree of curve. These will include; physiotherapy, monitoring, bracing or potentially surgery.
X-rays work by passing a low level radiation through the body to produce an image.
For more information about X-rays please see the NHS website below:
You will either see a specialist physiotherapist or advanced practice physiotherapist who will assess you and request an x-ray if there is a scoliosis. This can be easily determined by some simple physical tests. Based on the results of the x-ray you will either continue with physiotherapy, be referred to the Orthotics team for bracing or be referred to the Evelina Hospital in London for a surgical opinion.
Neck pain is commonly seen in older teenagers, but rarely in younger children unless there has been a specific trauma. Sprains and strains can occur as the result of poor posture, overuse, change in physical activity levels or as the result of a car accident (whiplash). The demands of modern life can often mean lots of prolonged positions – in cars, desks, on phones etc which can also lead to neck pain. Like lower back pain, most neck pain is mechanical – originating from the muscles, from the joints including ligaments and discs or from the nerves.
Most neck pains do not require any imagining to confirm diagnosis or to start treatment.
X-rays work by passing a low-level radiation through the body to produce an image. Due to the radiation X-rays will only be used if there is no other way to accurately diagnose the problem or if there is a concern that there may be a more serious problem. Radiologists (people who complete the X-rays) will only do one if they feel the referring clinician (such as a doctor, specialist physio or nurse practitioner) has given a valid reason for the risk of radiation. This means that you may have been referred for an X-ray but it has not been completed because the radiologists feel that other methods should be used to determine the problem first.
For more information about x-rays please see the NHS website below:
