are growing pains real?

Yes they are. Growing pains are muscular pains generally affecting children when they have growth spurts, usually from the ages of three to five years, and from eight to 11 years.

Your kids may continue to experience growing pains into their teenage years. Growing pains are generalized leg aches which occur in about 20% of kids. The pain is most commonly experienced in the muscles in the front of the thigh, behind the knee and the calf, and feels like a muscle cramp.

It is often worse in the afternoon or evening and is often worse after very active play; even waking your child from their sleep.

WHAT CAUSES IT?

The cause of growing pains is unclear, and is probably related to general muscle fatigue in very active children through periods of rapid growth.

WHAT CAN I DO?

There are a variety of things you can do for your kids while they’re experiencing growing pains.

When you bring your child in for an assessment, we can make recommendations for stretches they can do before before bed, review the shoes they’re wearing and do an assessment of their foot and leg postural alignment, to ensure there is nothing increasing load on lower limb muscles.

Massages and heat packs may also be helpful. If these steps don’t work, we can discuss your options for custom orthotics to help your child’s alignment.

If you think your child needs custom devices for sport or play, book an assessment to discuss your options.