New Delhi, Sep 24 Back pain is no longer a problem associated only with adulthood or old age, with physiotherapy experts flagging a growing burden of musculoskeletal problems among school-going children and calling for greater focus on prevention, movement education and physical fitness from an early age.
The Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) has highlighted a 40 per cent rise in musculoskeletal problems among schoolchildren ahead of the World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific (WPAWP) Regional Conference 2026 at Yashobhoomi here on September 26-27.
The conference is expected to bring together more than 10,000 physiotherapy professionals from India and 32 countries.
Dr Sanjiv K Jha, Organising Chair, WPAWP, said, “Back pain does not start in old age. We are seeing a concerning 40 per cent rise in musculoskeletal problems among schoolchildren, and this should make us rethink how we approach preventive healthcare in schools.”
Children today are spending long hours studying, using screens and remaining physically inactive, while movement, strength, flexibility and fitness are often not given the importance they deserve, he said.
“We need to shift from treating musculoskeletal problems after they appear to preventing them through early education, fitness and appropriate physiotherapy interventions,” Jha said.
Indian research indicates that musculoskeletal symptoms are already a significant concern among school-going children.
A study of 934 children aged 8-15 years from four schools in Bhopal found that 55.9 per cent reported experiencing pain during the previous 12 months, while 41.6 per cent reported pain during the preceding 10 days and 21.3 per cent had visited a doctor for the problem.
The study also found that the average schoolbag weighed 16.5 per cent of the students’ body weight.
Another Indian study conducted among schoolchildren aged 10-16 years in urban and rural areas of Khurda district, Odisha, found an 18.8 per cent prevalence of musculoskeletal pain during the preceding year.
The research highlighted a substantial burden of symptoms among schoolchildren and examined factors including backpack weight, age, gender and body measurements.
Experts, however, caution ed against making schoolbag weight the sole explanation for childhood back pain.
Scientific evidence suggests that the causes are multifactorial and can involve physical activity, movement habits, previous injury, psychosocial factors, prolonged sitting and other individual factors.
Dr Ruchi Varshney, Organising Secretary, WPAWP, said, “We should not totally link childhood back pain to a heavy-schoolbag problem. Children need regular movement, physical fitness, strength, flexibility, good movement habits and awareness about how they use their bodies.”
“Physiotherapy can help schools introduce preventive programmes that focus on movement education, early identification of problems and healthy physical activity rather than waiting until pain becomes persistent,” Varshney said.
The concern is particularly relevant in an era when children are spending increasing amounts of time in sedentary activities.
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis covering 129 reports found a small association between greater sedentary behaviour and spinal pain in cross-sectional studies. The issue, therefore, is not simply about treating children who already have pain but about building a culture of movement and fitness early in life.
Physiotherapists believe schools can become important platforms for movement education, exercise, postural awareness, physical fitness, injury prevention, early screening and promotion of healthy habits.
Jha said, “Physiotherapy in India has grown by leaps and bounds. The profession has travelled a remarkable journey from a relatively small and developing discipline to a major healthcare profession with a vast community of practitioners, educators, researchers and specialists serving society across the country.”
Varshney added, “Our responsibility extends beyond professional development. We have to contribute to healthier communities, promote physical activity and fitness, prevent disability and improve quality of life. Schools are an important starting point for this preventive approach.
(PTI News)
