Free Growth-Related Back Pain Parent Guide
Is back pain stopping your young athlete from enjoying sport?
Download the free Growth-Related Back Pain Parent Guide. Protect your young athlete's growing spine, with a simple movement plan that eases back pain and prevents bigger problems.
8-page PDF • Written by a physiotherapist • Free instant download
What you'll learn inside the free guide
- Why adolescent back pain should never be ignored
- The mobility and core routine that calms symptoms
- How to manage training load through growth spurts
- Hip and hamstring work that takes load off the spine
- Warning signs of a stress reaction to watch for
Growth-Related Back Pain can leave parents wondering what to do next
You don't need to work it out alone.
6-Week Recovery Framework
Want a structured plan to work through?
The free guide helps you understand what's going on. The £59 Growth-Related Back Pain Recovery Framework provides a structured six-week progression with load and pain guidance, exercise demonstrations and clear progression points.
Common questions from parents
Is a teenager's back pain a serious sign?
Most of it is load and growth related and settles well. It does deserve proper attention though, because a small number of young athletes develop a bone stress reaction in the spine, and that needs a clinical assessment rather than guesswork.
Could pushing through cause real damage?
Training through back pain that is getting worse week on week is not a good idea. Pain that stays mild and settles quickly after sport is usually fine to work with, and that is one of the things we help you judge.
Do they need a scan?
Not usually as a first step. A clinician assessing them will decide, based on the pattern of pain and their sport, whether imaging would actually change what you do next.
When should we get an assessment?
If you're unsure of the cause, speak to a physiotherapist or GP. Get prompt advice if there is severe pain, night pain, swelling or difficulty bearing weight.
Is this individual physiotherapy?
No. The free guide and the 6-Week Recovery Framework are general, template resources, not personalised physiotherapy or a diagnosis.
This information is general education, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment by a qualified health professional.
Please read before you buy
- These are educational rehabilitation frameworks, intended for young athletes who have already been appropriately assessed and diagnosed by a qualified healthcare professional.
- They are not a substitute for individual clinical assessment, diagnosis or treatment, and they are not personalised to your athlete.
- A parent or guardian should be involved throughout, and should supervise the exercises.
- Stop and seek advice if symptoms get worse, or if any red flag appears: significant trauma, inability to weight bear, night pain, fever, unexplained weight loss, or a hot, swollen joint.
- Young athletes vary. Progress at a pace that suits the individual, and seek professional assessment if you are unsure whether this is suitable.
Start with the free guide
Get clarity on what's happening and what you can do next.
References
The research and guidance we drew on when writing this guide.
- Caine, D., DiFiori, J. and Maffulli, N. (2006) 'Physeal injuries in children's and youth sports: reasons for concern?', British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(9), pp. 749-760.
- Gabbett, T.J. (2016) 'The training-injury prevention paradox: should athletes be training smarter and harder?', British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(5), pp. 273-280.
- Kamper, S.J., Yamato, T.P. and Williams, C.M. (2016) 'The prevalence, risk factors, prognosis and treatment for back pain in children and adolescents: an overview of systematic reviews', Best Practice and Research Clinical Rheumatology, 30(6), pp. 1021-1036.
- Lloyd, R.S., Cronin, J.B., Faigenbaum, A.D., et al. (2016) 'National Strength and Conditioning Association position statement on long-term athletic development', Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30(6), pp. 1491-1509.
- Malina, R.M., Rogol, A.D., Cumming, S.P., Coelho e Silva, M.J. and Figueiredo, A.J. (2015) 'Biological maturation of youth athletes: assessment and implications', British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(13), pp. 852-859.
- Peck, D.M. (1995) 'Apophyseal injuries in the young athlete', American Family Physician, 51(8), pp. 1891-1895.
- Sward, L. (1992) 'The thoracolumbar spine in young elite athletes: current concepts on the effects of physical training', Sports Medicine, 13(5), pp. 357-364.