How to spot nerve pain in children

It’s that time of year again when school is upon us. While your child is getting used to their new classes and making new friends, the last thing you want them to experience is nerve pain. 

Although nerve pain is a commonly addressed issue among adults, children can be suffering in silence.  

Similar to adults, a child’s pain can occur because the nerves aren’t working properly or they send signals to his or her brain even when there is nothing physically wrong. Your child may be experiencing pain from every-day activities that wouldn’t normally hurt them, such as shower water hitting the body or clothes rubbing against the skin. This abnormality can also exaggerate normal pain making it difficult to focus or be productive in and out of the classroom. 

If your child is complaining of discomfort, here are some things to look for that might signal nerve pain:​

• Burning 
• Numbness
• Difficulty balancing
• Tingling or pricking sensations
• Sensitivity to touch
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle atrophy
• Trouble standing

With your child back in school, pay attention when they’re injured. The majority of injuries at school are harmless and unintentional — falling off playground equipment or colliding during sports activities. However, even after a seemingly minor, every-day injury, it is important to listen to your child when they say they’re in pain. Pressure on the nerves and stretching or cutting of the nerves are only a few of the countless ways a child can receive an injury that leads to nerve pain. 

Also, keep in mind that many children with a chronic disease experience consistent nerve pain. These diseases unfortunately make any amount of pain worse.