Growing pain – is it real?
February 6, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Most parents have come across it – mysterious pain from their child that doesn’t seem to have any basis. But doesn’t it?
If we think about it, our children are growing at amazing rates and when they hit a growth spurt – any time from infancy to adolescence – their bodies are undergoing tremendous change. That has to hurt at some time.
The pain is often in the legs and frequently near the end of the day, they can also happen at night. The pain almost seems like it’s coming from the bone, but it also muscular in nature. In fact, if you rub the legs, they seem to not hurt as much.
Kidshealth.org has a great explanation of how to tell the difference between growing pains and something more serious. Of course, if you are ever in doubt, have your child checked.
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As the article states, almost always these end up being leg cramps. Still very painful. I know as a young boy I would suffer growing pains in my shin very badly. After decades of not exercising I started up again. I started to get pains in my shins, usually at night after I was asleep and after a day of running. The pain felt familiar. It was the same pain. I know now it is my calves that hurt and stretching helps them 100%. My daughter, El, now also has these pains and stretching helps her as well. Avoid drugs, do a good calve or hamstring stretch with your kids. You will both feel better. Great blog and many thanks,
Bobblehead
My son suffered with growing pains when he was 7, and it lasted about a year. GP is for real!! Also, I fostered a german shepherd mix puppy last year. One day, she was lame. I mean, would NOT walk. I had to carry her outside and hold her so she could potty. The vet diagnosed her—growing pains!!! Metacam dose everyday and within a week, she was back to her old puppy self! GP doesn’t discriminate.
Thanks for shedding light on this subject.
My boys (18 and 9 now) love their growing pains, though painful, because it means they’re GROWING! And they love to get taller.
Lisa