When Going Back To School

As the summer comes to a close and the new school year begins, it can be an exciting time for children; but for many, it can also be a source of anxiety and stress.

The thought of returning to school with low confidence and worries about fitting in with peers can be a daunting experience and that’s before you add lower back and hip pain. For some, returning to school can also lead to physical discomfort, particularly in the lower back and hip areas.

As parents, we want nothing more than to see our children thrive, have confidence, and enjoy their school experience without unnecessary struggles. But sometimes, this can be harder than it sounds.

To compensate, your instinct may tell you to over-prepare and plan for every potential outcome, but this can actually have the opposite effect. Imagine your child missing out on the fun things they should be doing because of the worries and anxiety you have instilled in them. Potentially making them the center of attention in all the wrong ways.

In this blog post, you will discover some of these common mistakes parents and children make when returning to school, which can lead to lower back and hip pain.

The Impact Of Lower Back And Hip Pain On Education

Sports activities play a vital role in many children’s school experiences. However, lower back and hip pain can limit a child’s participation, leading to less physical activity and missed opportunities for socialization and teamwork.

In addition to sports, this type of pain can also affect your child’s ability to concentrate during lessons. Discomfort can make it hard to sit or maintain proper posture, resulting in distractions and reduced focus, potentially hindering active engagement and information absorption.

Homework can also pose challenges for children with lower back and hip pain. Prolonged sitting exacerbates discomfort, making it difficult to complete assignments. This struggle can lead to increased stress and potential academic setbacks.

Overall, lower back and hip pain have a wide-ranging impact on a child’s education. It hampers sports participation, impairs focus during lessons, and complicates homework completion. As parents, seeking support for your child is essential to alleviate their pain and ensure a smooth return to school.

The Common Mistakes That Lead To Lower Back And Hip Pain

1. Carrying Heavy Backpacks

One of the most common causes of lower back pain in children is carrying overweight backpacks.

Students should carry no more than 10% to 20% of their body weight in their backpacks. When backpacks are too heavy, it can lead to back and shoulder pain, poor posture, and even headaches.

Encourage your child to use both shoulder straps and adjust the backpack to fit snugly on the back. This simple adjustment can reduce the risk of aches and pains suffered by your child.

2. Sitting For Prolonged Periods

With school life and remote learning amidst the pandemic, many children tend to sit in a chair for long periods with little movement, which leads to postural changes and pressure on the lumbar spine and hips.

Over time, this can cause pain and stiffness in the lower back and hip area. Encourage your child to get up frequently and move around to stretch their muscles and relax their joints.

Parents can also set a timer to remind their children to take a break from sitting every hour.

3. Lack of Physical Activity

With an increase in digital devices being utilized to learn and study, there is a growing trend of children failing to get enough physical activity.

This can cause muscles in the lower back to become weak and stiff, leading to lots of pain.

Encourage your child to engage in physical activities that help strengthen their core muscles, such as bike riding, swimming, soccer, and gymnastics.

4. Poor Posture

A poor posture while at school coupled with an overloaded backpack can lead to severe back and hip pain.

Encourage your child to sit upright while at their desk, and remind them to distribute their weight evenly when standing.

Poor posture leads to additional pressure placed on the spinal joints, ligaments, discs, and muscles, which over time can cause pain and discomfort.

Build Back Your Child’s Confidence and Most Importantly Happiness

Take note of these mistakes so you and your child don’t fall into the same trap. As parents, we often want to protect our children, but sometimes the best solution is to take a step back and seek professional advice.

At Empower PT and Pilates, our expert team understands the importance of addressing these issues early on. That’s why we’re offering a Free Hip and Back Pain Assessment for your child. Our team of experts will provide a thorough evaluation to determine the root causes of their pain and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Our holistic approach to physical therapy ensures that they receive the pain relief they deserve, allowing them to fully engage in school activities and excel academically. Imagine how fast we can help your child feel more confident and happier in their own skin.

For those who may feel anxious about in-person consultations, we also offer a free telephone consultation. Find out everything you need to know about your child’s condition, all without leaving your home. Our compassionate team is here to answer any questions and guide you toward the best course of action.

Don’t let lower back and hip pain hinder your child’s potential.

Take the first step towards a pain-free future by scheduling your Free Hip and Back Pain Assessment today.

Together, we can empower your child to thrive in school and beyond.

You can also give us a call at (720) 722-0685. 

See you soon,

Dr. Casey

Additional Free Resources For Back And Hip Pain

Read our blog – 5 Ways To Help You Maintain A Healthy Back

Read our blog – How To Actually Engage Your Core

Check us out on social media – Empower PT + Pilates Facebook / Empower PT + Pilates Instagram