Growing pains, a phenomenon experienced by some children, typically between the ages of 3 and 12. These recurring episodes of pain are in the legs, (but not joints) often occur during the evening or at night. Despite the term “growing pains,” there is no direct evidence linking these pains to actual growth spurts. And in most cases they considered harmless (as long as there is no visible signs of swelling/redness/fever).
The exact cause of growing pains is not fully understood, but several theories have been proposed. These include:
- Muscle Fatigue: Some experts suggest that the pains could be related to overuse or fatigue of muscles during the day, especially in active children.
- Muscle Growth: While not directly linked to growth spurts, it’s possible that the rapid changes in muscle length and strength during childhood growth could contribute to muscle discomfort. This is my least likely hypothesis as muscles are flexible… We only get sore after over stretching and kids with growing pains are not at the stretching.
- Nervous System Factors: It’s also believed that certain factors related to the nervous system might play a role in triggering these pains – and this is where chiropractors step in
Chiropractors primarily focus on treating musculoskeletal conditions and neurological conditions, particularly those related to the spine and pelvis. While Growing pains, are usually a benign condition. They may get worse from a structural issue or misalignments in the pelvis that chiropractors typically address.
Some people choose Home remedies such as gentle massage or warm Epson salt baths, fisocrème for muscle aches.. These can help alleviate the discomfort associated with growing pains. But in some cases, the pain is quite significant and it might require some medical attention. If your unsure, and if the pain is not going away… It’s a good idea to get your child checked.
It’s important to note that growing pains are a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that other more serious medical conditions should be ruled out before attributing the pain to growing pains. If a child experiences persistent or severe pain, joint swelling, redness, fever, or any other concerning symptoms, a medical professional should be consulted ASAP to ensure that there isn’t an underlying medical issue.
Personally I see a lot of kids as patients, and most of them respond extremely well to chiropractic care for the treatment of muscular aches and pains. I have seen kids with aches and pains in their legs, that I have diagnosed with other issues which many would have assumed were ‘growing pains.’ This discovery has saved kids from a world of problems later in life.
If your kid has growing pains and you want some more information. We would love to help.