Growing Pains: What They are and What to Do About Them

Getting my “growing pains on” while racing the ducks at the Milwaukee Zoo, circa 1973.

When I hear those two words, “growing pains” that little memory file in my brain opens and B.J. Thomas starts crooning in my head:  As long as we got each uh-uh-ther… .  It happens to you, too, right?

Or maybe not.

I know, I’m hinting at my age (note the pants in the photo above) by recalling the 1980’s family sitcom Growing Pains and its earworm*** of a theme song.  And about the time that saccharin prime-time show aired I had exactly what the title described:  (actual) growing pains.

But what are they, really?  “Growing pains” are often used to describe any ache or pain kids have for which there is no other explanation.  But they are a real thing, not something to simply use as a label.  Growing pains generally are seen in two age groups of kids:  3- to 5-year-olds and tweens (ages 8-12), with 25 to 40 percent of them affected.  Speculation says kids who are more sensitive to pain are at greater risk.  Wo what are the symptoms?  Fortunately they are pretty distinctive and include:

~an aching or throbbing in the fronts of the thighs (quadriceps muscles), behind the knees, and/or in the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and related muscles)

~both legs are affected (not one or the other)

~the pain can come-and-go, beginning in the late afternoon or early evening, possibly disrupting sleep

~the discomfort is gone by the morning

~muscle areas are involved, not joints

~headache and stomachache may happen at the same time as the leg pain

Contrary to common belief, growing pains are not the result of growth spurts, although they can occur at the same time.  Rather it’s thought that over activity during the day is the cause.  It’s even possible that increased activity in the circumstance of poor-conditioning can cause growing pains.

As mentioned above, the diagnosis of growing pains is “by exclusion,” meaning the symptoms can’t be explained by another cause.  There are no tests to prove the symptoms are just that.  However, a doctor may order blood work or X-rays if another problem is suspect.  In most circumstances a doctor’s visit isn’t needed for growing pains, but do schedule a visit with your child’s pediatrician if your child voices aches and pains that:

!~don’t go away/persist to the morning

!~involve the joints

!~are related to an injury

!~only occur only on one side

!~interfere with activity of any kind

!~occur with other symptoms like fever, rash, weakness, fatigue, swelling or limping

So how are growing pains treated?  Fortunately, the supportive measures are simple and inexpensive:

~massage of the affected areas before bedtime

~a warm lavender bath to relax sore muscles and sooth a child anxious about the aches and throbbing

~gentle stretches help as well (see video below for three “moves” that help relieve growing pains)

~ a moderately warm heating pad before lights out (but never while your child is sleeping)

~kid-appropriate doses of ibuprofen or Tylenol (acetominophen) may also help (Note:  avoid the use of asprin, which can cause a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome in children.)

***And, to share the earworm, a blast from the ’80’s past…(You’re welcome;))