A child's back pain is different than an adult's. More frequently, back pain in a child is a symptom of a more serious condition. If your child has pain or soreness in her back, consult her doctor. After her doctor rules out any serious medical condition, there are several things you can do to relieve your child's sore back.
Exercise
Daily exercise and movement will help your child improve the health of his back. According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, your child needs one hour of physical activity every day. Most of that should be aerobic exercise that gets his heart pumping and makes him sweat. Help your child choose low-impact exercises like walking, swimming or biking, that will gently increase his endurance without jarring his already sore back muscles.
Strengthening
Another remedy for back soreness is stronger muscles. At least three times a week, your child should do muscle strengthening exercises. Core strengthening exercises that focus on her back and abdominal muscles are especially effective. Help your child perform crunches or learn a stability ball workout. To be effective, core exercises must be completed with proper form so monitor your child closely to make sure she does the exercises properly.
Stretching
Increased flexibility will also help remedy your child's back pain. Stretches for his back and abdominal muscles will help. However, often back pain stems from tightness in the hamstrings or hip flexors. Devise a full-body stretching routine for your child that includes stretches for all major muscle groups and doubles up on stretches for his back, abs, thighs and hips. When stretching, your child should hold a stretching position for 30 seconds without any bouncing. Repeat all stretches three times.
Backpacks
One final remedy for back pain involves your child's school bag. While backpacks can be an effective way for your child to lug her books around, pay attention to these safety tips. Get a backpack with wide padded straps. Instruct your child to carry her backpack with both straps over her shoulders. Finally, limit the weight she carries in her backpack to 10 to 15 percent of her body weight. Using her backpack safely may ease her back soreness.
