I am writing this blog post to give some insight into a very overlooked topic that I resonate with deeply. Chronic pain in early years. I have felt the impacts of this first hand and having come out the other side of it, I can see the importance of breaking down the ideals that pain in adolescence is ‘normal’.
Chronic pain in adolescents is more common than many realise, with it affecting 1 in 5 children and adolescents. From persistent headaches and back pain to musculoskeletal discomfort caused by injuries or postural issues. Chronic pain can significantly affect a teenager’s physical health, emotional well-being, and quality of life. As families search for safe and effective treatment options, chiropractic care has emerged as a non-invasive, drug-free approach worth exploring. But how effective is it for younger patients—and what should parents know?
My Story: Growing Up in Pain
As a teenager, I lived with constant lower back pain. It started in childhood and only got worse—turning everyday things like walking with friends or sitting in class into a source of anxiety. I never knew when my back might spasm or give way. It was exhausting.
I felt alone. No one my age understood, and my moods took a toll on those around me. Doctors found nothing “serious,” so it was brushed off as stress or growing pains. I tried everything—chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, even traditional Chinese medicine—but nothing really helped.
I went on to study chiropractic, hoping I’d finally learn how to fix myself. But even with rehab exercises and regular adjustments, the pain remained. After a car accident in my final year, I hit a wall. An MRI revealed degeneration that would likely one day stop me from being a chiropractor at all.
Then, during an interview at Spine, I received my first ABC (Advanced Biostructural Correction) adjustment—and for the first time in years, I felt no pain. Just six pain-free hours, but it gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time: hope.
That was three years ago. Today, I’m pain-free, I sleep deeply, I have energy, and—most of all—I feel like myself again. Life doesn’t feel limited by my body anymore.
I share this because I know how isolating chronic pain can be, especially for young people. I’ve been there. And I want others to know there is a way through it. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
Understanding Chronic Pain in Teens
Chronic pain in adolescents often stems from a combination of physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors. Common causes include:
- Postural stress from prolonged screen time or carrying heavy backpacks
- Repetitive strain injuries from sports or overuse
- Previous injuries that did not heal properly
- Underlying conditions like juvenile arthritis, scoliosis, or fibromyalgia
- Emotional stress, which can amplify physical symptoms
- Lack of restful sleep which inhibits the body’s recovery
The unfortunate fact is that the modern day is technology driven, creating a deterioration of our skeletal health. Every child or teenager has an iPad, phone or tablet that they hunch over daily. The negative impact of this is only just emerging but the results already are alarming.
Unlike acute pain, which typically resolves as the body heals, chronic pain persists for months or even years, often without a clear cause. It can impact sleep, school performance, and social engagement—making early intervention crucial.
How is chronic pain affecting your children into adulthood?
Chronic pain in childhood can have lasting consequences that extend well into adulthood, affecting both the body and mind. Research shows that early exposure to pain can alter the nervous system’s development, leading to heightened pain sensitivity and increased risk for conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain. These individuals are also more likely to experience anxiety, depression and poor coping strategies, all of which intensify pain perception over time.
What Is Advanced Biostructural Correction Care (ABC)?
ABC focuses on diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. If you think about a typical modern-day posture, what is the first image that pops into your head? Falling forward? Bodies are collapsing forward, compressing the chest, heart, lungs alongside causing painful symptoms, making life less enjoyable.
ABC is centered about leveraging the body back into a more mechanically advantageous position, which is a fancy way of saying … it helps get people upright and functioning better. This is done through manipulation of the spinal bones, undoing the misalignments that have been accumulated throughout your life. This takes the pressure off the painful areas while reducing the stress on the nervous system.
For adolescents, ABC treatment is typically gentler than for adults, with the body being quicker to respond due to its adaptability. A big part of the problem lies in your external environment, we will help you address this.
How Chiropractic Care May Help Adolescents with Chronic Pain
- Improving Spinal Alignment
- Reducing Muscle Tension and Inflammation
- Promoting Better Posture
- Enhancing Nervous System Function
- Encouraging Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Final Thoughts
Living with chronic pain as a teenager shaped the way I think about healthcare. It taught me the importance of feeling heard and having options beyond prescriptions or being told to “wait it out.” Chiropractic care gave me relief when little else helped.
Chronic pain does not have to define adolescence. With the right support and a willingness to modify your external environment, healing is not only possible—it is within reach.
If you have a child who is affecting by pain or dysfunction or have noticed a postural decline – book in for a telephone consultation to discuss possible options. Do not wait until there is a problem, prevent a problem from ever existing.
References
- Chambers, C.T., Dol, J., Tutelman, P.R., Langley, C.L., Parker, J.A., Cormier, B.T., Macfarlane, G.J., Jones, G.T., Chapman, D., Proudfoot, N., Grant, A. and Marianayagam, J. (2024). The prevalence of chronic pain in children and adolescents: a systematic review update and meta-analysis. PAIN, [online] 165(10), p.10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003267. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003267.
- Society of Pediatric Psychology (2016). Chronic Pain in Children and Adolescents – Society of Pediatric Psychology. [online] Society of Pediatric Psychology -. Available at: https://pedpsych.org/fact_sheets/chronic_pain/ [Accessed 27 May 2025].
- Tidmarsh, L.V., Harrison, R., Ravindran, D., Matthews, S.L. and Finlay, K.A. (2022). The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Pain Management: Mechanisms, Processes, and Trauma-Informed Care. Frontiers in Pain Research, 3. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2022.923866.
- You, D.S., Albu, S., Lisenbardt, H. and Meagher, M.W. (2018). Cumulative Childhood Adversity as a Risk Factor for Common Chronic Pain Conditions in Young Adults. Pain Medicine, 20(3), pp.486–494. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pny106.
