Back pain tends to be associated with older adults, but can affect those of all ages including teenagers. The modern lifestyle has had a huge impact on teenagers’ spine health with screen time and heavy school backpacks. Here are some common causes of back pain in teens:

• Sedentary Lifestyles: There has been an increase in sedentary activities such as playing video games and binge-watching. This increase in inactivity not only weakens the back muscles, but promotes poor posture. 
• Poor Posture: Slouching is one of the leading contributors to back pain among teenagers. Slouching for long periods of time can lead to discomfort or more serious conditions. 
• Overloaded Backpacks: Research shows that backpacks that weigh more than 10-15% of a child’s body weight can place stress on the spine. This could lead to muscle strain and even misalignment of the spine.