Does your child suffer from growing pains?
What are growing pains?
Growing pains are defined as muscular pain felt on the front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees in the afternoon or late evening. The pain is always felt on both sides. They are not specifically linked to growing pains as it has not been proven that growing hurts. However, due to a faster rate of bone growth to muscle growth there may be a vague link to growth. Growing pains are typically felt by children 3-5 years old and 8-11 years old, although they can continue into adolescents.
Pain is Felt behind the knees or calves.
What causes growing pains?
It is not known what causes the onset of these pains as some children may experience them while others do not. It is widely theorized that these pains occur after a really athletic day that your child has had. Posture could play a role in these aches and pains as not sitting or walking correctly can place strain on the muscles. It is theorized that children whose feet roll inward when walking may be more prone to growing pains. Emotional distress may trigger aches and pains but not always in growing pain cases.
A particularly active day could cause growing pains.
How do you know if your child is experiencing growing pains or something worse?
Growing pains affect both legs simultaneously and they can often be soothed by massage. The pain comes and goes. For example, it may happen every night for a week and then only come up again a few months later. The pain is only present during the afternoon or early evening but has gone by the morning. The pain does not cause your child to limp or inhibit them from playing.
If the pain increases or improves with movement it may mean the joints have been affected. If the joints are affected the area would be warm, red, swollen or tender. It is highly recommended to seek professional help from a pediatrician if you are in doubt of whether the pain is growing pains or if it is something more serious.
Growing pains affect both legs. In front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees.
How can I alleviate the pain?
To treat the onset of the pain would be to massage the area that is sore. You can place a warm beanbag on the area to relax the muscles and increase blood flow to the area. A warm bath with Epsom salts before bed should also alleviate the pain.
Remedial massage can assist in decreasing the intensity of the pain and possibly the recurrence of the pain in the evening. Massage encourages the muscles to relax and lengthen which will help ease the tight pain for the rest of the evening.
Remedial massage can assist on decreasing the intensity of the pain.