Supporting Your Child’s Natural Comfort and Movement

Is your child struggling with back pain in Austin? As a parent, watching your little one experience discomfort can feel overwhelming – especially when traditional approaches haven’t provided the relief you’ve been hoping for. If you’re in South Austin or Circle C and searching for answers, you’re not alone. Many families discover that their child’s back pain is connected to deeper nervous system imbalances that require a different approach than conventional treatments. At River City Wellness, our neurologically-focused chiropractic care addresses the root cause of back pain, helping children’s bodies heal naturally from within. Dr. Peter Martinez and Dr. Sean Forbes specialize in pediatric and family care, using gentle, research-based techniques that support your child’s developing nervous system and overall wellbeing.

What Is Back Pain?

Back pain is discomfort or tension occurring anywhere along the spine or surrounding muscles, from the neck down to the lower back. In children, back pain often signals that the nervous system is struggling to coordinate proper muscle function and spinal alignment. This condition can range from mild stiffness to sharp, limiting pain that affects daily activities.

Unlike adults who may develop back pain from years of wear and tear, children’s back pain typically stems from nervous system dysfunction. The spine houses the central nervous system, which controls every function in the body. When vertebrae become misaligned – called subluxations – they can interfere with nerve communication, leading to muscle tension, inflammation, and pain patterns throughout the back.

Back pain in children is often a warning sign that the body’s natural healing mechanisms aren’t functioning optimally. Rather than masking symptoms, addressing the underlying nervous system imbalance can help restore proper function and allow the body to heal itself naturally.

Signs and Symptoms of Back Pain in Children

Recognizing back pain in children can be challenging since they don’t always communicate discomfort clearly. Here are key signs that may indicate your child is experiencing back pain:

• Complaining of soreness or stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting
• Avoiding physical activities they previously enjoyed
• Difficulty concentrating or increased irritability
• Changes in posture, such as slouching or tilting to one side
• Trouble sleeping or frequent position changes during sleep
• Fatigue or decreased energy levels
• Holding their back or stretching frequently
• Resistance to bending over or picking up objects
• Headaches or neck tension accompanying back discomfort
• Changes in walking pattern or favoring one side

What Causes Back Pain? (The Root Cause)

Understanding what causes back pain in children requires looking beyond surface symptoms to the underlying nervous system dysfunction. Most childhood back pain develops from what we call the “Perfect Storm” – a combination of factors that overwhelm the developing nervous system.

The Perfect Storm begins with birth trauma, which affects nearly every delivery. Even seemingly normal births can create subluxations in a baby’s delicate spine and nervous system. These early misalignments set the stage for future problems. As children grow, environmental stressors compound the issue – from falls and tumbles during play to prolonged sitting in school, heavy backpacks, sports injuries, and emotional stress.

When subluxations accumulate, they interfere with the nervous system’s ability to function properly. The child’s system becomes stuck in fight-or-flight mode, with the sympathetic nervous system dominating. This creates chronic muscle tension, inflammation, and poor spinal alignment – the perfect recipe for back pain.

The vagus nerve, which helps regulate healing and relaxation responses, becomes compromised in this state. Without proper vagal function, the body struggles to heal naturally and maintain proper muscle tone and spinal stability. This neurological dysfunction creates a cascade of symptoms, with back pain being just one visible sign of deeper imbalance.

How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Helps Back Pain

As the leading back pain chiropractor Austin families trust, River City Wellness takes a completely different approach than traditional symptom-based treatments. Instead of simply addressing where it hurts, we focus on why the nervous system isn’t functioning properly in the first place.

Our process begins with advanced INSiGHT scanning technology that provides objective measurements of your child’s nervous system function. These scans reveal areas of subluxation and nervous system stress that may be contributing to back pain. This technology allows us to see exactly how the nervous system is functioning and track improvement throughout care.

Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes use gentle, specific pediatric adjustments that are perfectly suited for children’s developing spines. These adjustments work to remove subluxations and restore proper nerve communication. Research suggests that when subluxations are corrected, the nervous system can shift from fight-or-flight dominance back into a healing, growth-focused state.

Many families notice improvements not just in back pain, but in overall health and behavior as the nervous system begins functioning optimally again. Our experience shows that supporting vagus nerve function and neuroplasticity through specific chiropractic care helps children’s bodies heal naturally and maintain better spinal health long-term.

This approach often helps with related conditions as well, including scoliosis and headaches, as we address the root nervous system imbalances that can contribute to multiple symptoms.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

When you bring your child to River City Wellness for back pain, our first priority is creating a comfortable, welcoming environment. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes understand that visiting a new healthcare provider can feel overwhelming for both children and parents, so we take extra time to explain everything we do.

Your initial consultation involves a thorough discussion of your child’s health history, current symptoms, and any concerns you have as a parent. We listen without judgment and ask detailed questions to understand the complete picture of your child’s health. Next, we’ll perform our comprehensive INSiGHT neurological scanning to measure how your child’s nervous system is currently functioning.

These scans are completely painless and take just a few minutes. During your second visit, we’ll review all findings in detail, explaining exactly what we discovered and how it relates to your child’s back pain. If we determine that neurologically-focused chiropractic care can help, we’ll create a customized care plan designed specifically for your child’s needs.

Located conveniently in South Austin at 8708 S. Congress Ave, we proudly serve families throughout Circle C, Sunset Valley, Oak Hill, Barton Creek, and Manchaca, providing hope and healing for children struggling with back pain.

Frequently Asked Questions About Back Pain

Is chiropractic safe for children with back pain?

Pediatric chiropractic care is extremely safe when performed by doctors specifically trained in treating children. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes use gentle techniques designed for growing spines, applying no more pressure than you’d use to check a tomato for ripeness. Research consistently shows that chiropractic care for children has an excellent safety profile with minimal risk of adverse effects.

How long before we see improvement in my child’s back pain?

Every child responds differently to care, depending on factors like age, how long the problem has existed, and overall health status. Some families notice improvements within the first few weeks, while others may take several months to see significant changes. Children’s nervous systems are naturally more adaptable than adults’, which often leads to faster healing responses when subluxations are corrected.

Does insurance cover chiropractic care for pediatric back pain?

Many insurance plans do cover chiropractic care for children, though coverage varies by provider and plan type. Our team is happy to verify your benefits and help you understand what your insurance covers. We also offer flexible payment options because we believe every child deserves access to natural healthcare that addresses root causes rather than just masking symptoms.

At what age can children start receiving chiropractic care for back pain?

Children can safely receive chiropractic care from birth through their teenage years and beyond. We regularly adjust newborns, toddlers, school-age children, and teens using age-appropriate techniques. The earlier we can address nervous system dysfunction, the better chance children have of avoiding chronic pain patterns and developing optimal spinal health as they grow.

How does neurologically-focused chiropractic differ from physical therapy for back pain?

While physical therapy focuses on strengthening muscles and improving movement patterns, neurologically-focused chiropractic addresses the nervous system control that coordinates those muscles in the first place. We work to remove interference in nerve communication through specific adjustments, allowing the body’s natural healing systems to function properly. Both approaches can be valuable, but chiropractic care addresses the root neurological causes rather than just treating symptoms.

Will my child need ongoing chiropractic care after their back pain improves?

Once initial symptoms improve, many families choose wellness care to maintain optimal nervous system function and prevent future problems. Just as you maintain your child’s dental health with regular checkups, periodic chiropractic visits help ensure the spine and nervous system stay healthy as children grow and encounter new physical stresses. The frequency of wellness visits is much less than initial corrective care and can be tailored to each family’s needs and preferences.

Take the Next Step for Your Child

Your child’s back pain doesn’t have to be something you simply manage or wait for them to “grow out of.” Thousands of South Austin families have discovered that neurologically-focused chiropractic care offers a natural, effective approach to addressing the root causes of childhood back pain.

At River City Wellness, we’re committed to helping your child not just feel better, but function at their highest potential. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes combine advanced technology with gentle, proven techniques to support your child’s developing nervous system and overall health. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone – we’re here to provide the expertise, support, and hope you’ve been searching for.