Help! My child is having growing pains!
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“Growing pains” have been a common complaint among children for decades… in fact this syndrome was first described, in writing, by a French physician in 1823. There isn’t much evidence to support that this pain is linked to a high growth velocity so new terms have been coined such as “benign nocturnal limb pains of childhood” or “recurrent limb pain of childhood.” While those terms may be more accurate, we’ll stick with growing pains for simplicity’s sake.
Based on research, growing pains typically involve discomfort in both legs that is usually experienced in the early evening or at night and isn’t brought on by activity and doesn’t result in a limp. [1] After numerous studies, the cause of this pain is still unclear.
Whether medical providers can explain the cause or not, when your child is hurting you want to do something to ease their pain. Unfortunately most parents are typically told that these aches and pains are normal and “will pass”. That’s why today we’re discussing 4 tips to ease your child’s growing pains!
1. Chiropractic care.
Yes I’m a chiropractor, so I think chiropractic is pretty great, but rest assured that is not my reason for suggesting it. As chiropractors, we are experts of the spine, neurological and musculoskeletal systems. The nervous system controls literally every part of our body through communication between the brain, spinal cord, nerve roots and nerves. The mega-highway of this communication takes place within the structure of the spine! This is significant because as kids learn how to crawl, cruise, walk, run, ride a bike, etc. they take tumbles and falls. While these spills may seem insignificant, they can contribute to changes in the biomechanics of a child’s spine and body, resulting in irritation of the nerve roots exiting the spine. That nerve irritation can result in achey muscles, joint pain, soreness, and tightness. I don’t know about you, but that sounds a bit like growing pains?
Gentle chiropractic adjustments by a chiropractor trained in treating kids is a great non-invasive option if your child has been complaining of growing pains. I have had young patients come in complaining of leg pains in the evening and they’ve experienced a relief in pain quickly! If you’re not in the DFW area, but would like to find a chiropractor who specializes in the pediatric population, visit icpa4kids.org.
2. Hydration
Dehydration can result in an electrolyte imbalance, causing muscle cramps and soreness. I get it, not every kid loves to chug plain water all day so here are a few ideas to encourage your kids to drink up. [2]
- offer water in colorful cups with fun straws
- make infused water by filling a pitcher with a water and a few slices of fruit
- freeze berries into ice cubes to add color and flavor
A gentle reminder that it is typically easier to get kids to do something we are modeling ourselves… so do a quick self-evaluation to be sure your hydration game is on point and if it’s not, step it up!
3. Supplements
While I’m a huge fan of getting as many vitamins and minerals from food, sometimes little ones can be a bit particular. In the case of a picky eater, supplements may be necessary to treat and/or prevent a deficiency. Vitamin D and magnesium can be very helpful for achey muscles and bone support. While both of these supplements can be found at most stores, they are not all created equally! Unless a child is also experiencing constipation, I typically recommend magnesium in the form of magnesium glycinate. The most easily-found form is magnesium citrate, which is also helpful, but in addition to relaxing muscles it also softens stools and can cause diarrhea. So if your child is having daily bowel movements with no issue, stick to the magnesium glycinate! Another way to absorb magnesium is in an epsom salt bath. Fill up the tub, add a cup of epsom salts and some bubbles (for fun) and let your child soak for at least 20 minutes! My favorite Vitamin D for kids is made by Metagenics and can be ordered here.
4. Stretching
Encouraging your child to stretch can also be helpful when they’re experiencing growth pains. Stretching the hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, and lower back seem to be most effective. The stretching videos provided here are a great starting point! Teaching your kids how to stretch themselves can be a fun family activity for everyone to do together and if your little one is too young to effectively stretch themselves then you can gently do it for them.
In some studies they found that there was potentially a hereditary correlation with growing pains so if you experienced growing pains then your kids may be more likely to experience them as well. [3] If that’s the case, remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Proactively take action to help your child feel their best by visiting a pediatric chiropractor, implementing good hydration habits, and stretching as a family!
To learn more about chiropractic or the services we provide at Renew & Restore Wellness, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email! We are always here to help!
* This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Resources:
February 8, 2017. Growing Pains When to Be Concerned. (Retrieved August 27, 2020). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5349398/
July 8, 2014. Seven ways to keep kids hydrated. (Retrieved August 27, 2020). https://www.reuters.com/article/us-fluids-kids-summer/seven-ways-to-keep-kids-hydrated-idUSKBN0FD1YG20140708
April 18, 2019. Growing pains: What do we know about etiology? A systematic review (Retrieved August 27, 2020). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6475815/
