Whole body

What It Is

Osteochondrosis is the name for a group of conditions that disrupt normal bone growth at the growth centres (ossification centres) of bones in growing children. They are not caused by inflammation or infection (Renthal, 2025a).

These conditions typically affect children and adolescents during periods of rapid growth, and they mainly affect the ends of the bones, known as the epiphyses. X-rays may show areas where bone cells have died (osteonecrosis) (Renthal, 2025a).

The exact cause is unknown, but some forms run in families, and mechanical stress, repeated minor injury and rapid growth (such as during puberty) are thought to contribute (Renthal, 2025a). Examples include Osgood-Schlatter disease (below the knee), Perthes disease (the hip) and Köhler disease (a bone in the foot) (Renthal, 2025a).

One of the best-known forms is spinal osteochondrosis, known as Scheuermann's disease. In this condition, changes to the vertebral end plates make some of the bones of the spine (vertebrae) wedge-shaped, so the upper back curves forward (Renthal, 2025b; NHS, 2025). It is typified by a rounded, hunched upper back, and some people have an ongoing, low-grade backache (Renthal, 2025b).

Osteochondrosis Anatomy

The skeletal system is made up of all the joints and bones in the body. In children and adolescents, bones grow from special areas near their ends called growth plates. Growth plates are areas of cartilage, and when a child is fully grown they harden into solid bone (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). Osteochondroses affect these growing areas and the ossification centres where cartilage is turning into bone (Renthal, 2025a).

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Osteochondrosis

Treatment depends largely on how severe the symptoms are. Most cases are treated without surgery and settle by themselves once the bones stop growing, although they need to be monitored (Renthal, 2025a). Physical therapy tends to be the starting point.

Seeing a therapist is one of the best ways to ease the pain and improve posture and stiffness (NHS, 2025). Working within your child's medical team's plan, I can help with gentle hands-on work, exercises and posture advice, and show you how to help your child at home. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Pain Relief

For back pain from Scheuermann's kyphosis, the NHS (2025) lists paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicine, and advises checking with a family doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist which type of pain relief is most suitable.

(This medicine information comes from the NHS, not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.)

2. Exercise

Exercise is important for the child. Keeping active is encouraged, and strengthening the core muscles (the muscles around the tummy and lower back) can help (NHS, 2025). Specific exercises can help reduce back pain and stiffness, but they will not correct the curve in the spine (NHS, 2025). In Scheuermann's disease, cutting down on high-impact sports and heavy lifting may help reduce pain (Renthal, 2025b).

3. Rest and Ice

Rest and ice can help ease painful symptoms (Renthal, 2025a). Wrap an ice pack in a tea towel and apply it for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours (NHS, 2024). Never put ice directly on the skin.

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Options outside my scope

Back brace: for a child with mild to moderate Scheuermann's kyphosis, a specialist may recommend a rigid brace to help straighten the spine, which should only be worn under their supervision (NHS, 2025).
Surgery: rarely, an operation to straighten the spine may be needed if the curve is severe, getting worse or causing very bad pain (NHS, 2025; Renthal, 2025b).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Gentle hands-on work for tight, aching muscles and stiffness

Core and back strengthening, with a home programme

Advice on posture, sport and staying active

Recovery care after surgery, once the surgeon agrees

Tips

Regular exercise is an important part of managing the condition.
Strengthening exercises are important for building up the muscles that support the body.
Most cases settle once the child stops growing, but not every case does, so keep up with any check-ups (Renthal, 2025a).
See a family doctor or nurse practitioner if you think you or your child might have a curve in the upper back (NHS, 2025).

Treatment

My Approach

Your child's doctor and, where needed, a specialist monitor osteochondrosis and decide on a brace or, rarely, surgery. Massage can't reshape the bones or correct a spinal curve, but I can help with the pain, tight muscles and stiffness, and help your child stay strong and active.

Please bring any X-ray or scan reports and notes from your child's medical team to the first visit. They're an important part of planning safe treatment for your child.

I assess posture, movement, strength and flexibility. Parents are welcome to sit in, with your child's agreement.

Hands-On Care

Gentle work for tight, aching muscles, keeping pressure off tender bone
For a rounded upper back, easing the chest, shoulders and neck, and gentle upper back mobilisation, never quick or forceful (chest wall work needs informed consent and a signed form)
Warm or cool applications in the clinic, and I'll show you how to use ice safely at home

Exercise and Activity

Core and back strengthening, starting with body weight and building gradually
Stretches and a home programme I'll show you how to do with your child
Cutting back high-impact sport and heavy lifting while it's sore

With a brace, I follow the specialist's instructions; after surgery, I need the surgeon's okay first.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Usually children come once or twice a week while it's sore, then weekly, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks, then less often. Most cases settle once the bones stop growing, so care follows the medical team's check-ups.

What I Focus On

Working Within the Medical Team's Plan

Muscle Tension Relief

Gentle Spinal Mobility

Core & Back Strength

Staying Active

Sources

References

Renthal, N.E. (2025a) Introduction to Bone Modeling Disorders in Children. Merck Manual Professional Edition. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/bone-disorders-in-children/introduction-to-bone-modeling-disorders-in-children (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Renthal, N.E. (2025b) Scheuermann Disease. Merck Manual Professional Edition. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/bone-disorders-in-children/scheuermann-disease (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2025) Kyphosis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kyphosis/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo) (n.d.) Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Knee Pain). Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/osgood-schlatter-disease-knee-pain/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2024) Sprains and strains. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooOsteochondrosis

What It Is

Osteochondrosis Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Osteochondrosis

1. Pain Relief

2. Exercise

3. Rest and Ice

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

Hands-On Care

Exercise and Activity

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooOsteochondrosis

What It Is

Osteochondrosis Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Osteochondrosis

1. Pain Relief

2. Exercise

3. Rest and Ice

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

Hands-On Care

Exercise and Activity

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Anterior Wedge Fracture to the Vertebra

Bone Tumor

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Book a session