What are growing pains?
Growing pains is a term used to describe cramps, aches, and muscle pains that children often experience in their legs2. They typically emerge in the early stages of childhood, at around ages 3 to 4, then reoccur between the ages of 8 to 12. They tend to be more common in the afternoon and evening and can often cause disruption to your child’s sleep2.
What causes growing pains?
It’s not known what causes growing pains1. Contrary to their name, there’s no evidence to suggest that growing pains are related to growth spurts2.
However, growing pains tend to be more common in children who are active and can often happen after engaging in lots of sports1. Children with flexible joints are also much more likely to experience growing pains1.
Growing pains symptoms.
Growing pains can be different for each child2. Some children may experience a lot of pain, while others might not2.
Common growing pains symptoms to look out for include:
Aching or throbbing in both legs1
Soreness in the muscles (not the joints)1
Aching in the evening or at bedtime1
Intense pain that wakes your child up during the night2.
If your child isn’t experiencing any pain in the morning, this is perfectly normal2. Growing pains tend to appear at night and disappear by morning2.
How are growing pains diagnosed?
There’s no definitive test for growing pains but a doctor can normally make a diagnosis by examining your child and assessing their medical history and symptoms2. This is especially important as it can help to rule out any other causes2.
When to see a doctor about growing pains
Growing pains are typically felt in both legs, so if the pain only occurs in one leg, contact your doctor2. This could be a sign of something more serious2. Additionally, if the pain is followed by any of the following symptoms, see your doctor for an examination2:
Loss of appetite
Limping or trouble walking
A rash
Swollen joints
Tiredness / fatigue
Weight loss
Weakness.
How to help growing pains
Growing pains usually get better on their own1. But the following treatment options and home remedies may help to ease discomfort1:
Massage
Gently massaging your child’s legs may help to relieve aches and pains.
Heat
Place a heat pad or hot water bottle on their legs to ease pain1. Just be careful not to burn their skin and refrain from using them at bedtime2.
Children’s painkillers
Give your child ibuprofen or paracetamol to ease the pain1. CALPOL® Infant Original Suspension (contains paracetamol) and CALPROFEN® Ibuprofen Suspension (contains ibuprofen) are specifically designed to provide relief from pain and fever. Additionally, CALPOL® SixPlus Fastmelts (contains paracetamol) dissolve on the tongue to provide on-the-go pain relief for children aged six years and over.
Discover more products to help ease your little one’s pain, fever, and discomfort in the CALPOL® range
Can growing pains happen to adults?
While adults may experience growing pain sensations, they’re not usually growing pains3. Growing pains typically affect children between the ages of 3 to 12. If you’re an adult experiencing growing pain sensations, this could be sign of an underlying problem3. Therefore, if the pain is severe, persists for a long time, or is followed by further symptoms, contact your doctor3.
What do growing pains feel like?
Growing pains can be described as throbbing or aching in the legs3. The pain typically occurs in both legs, in the calves, around the front of the thighs, and behind the knees3. Often, growing pains can be so severe they can cause your child to wake up during the night2.
When should I worry about my child’s leg pain?
If your child is experiencing growing pain in one leg, or the pain is followed by other symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, weakness, or weight loss, contact your doctor2. These aren’t typical symptoms associated with children’s growing pains, so your doctor will need to conduct examinations to figure out the cause2.
