This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:
If you wonder, “Do growing pains really exist?”
When you are raising a child,
“At night, your child suddenly starts complaining that their legs hurt.”
“Even though I was told that there is nothing wrong with their bones, the pain is so bad that they cry.”
Have you ever experienced something like this?
This “growing pain” is known to be a common pain in children, but
✔ What causes it?
✔ How do you distinguish it from a disease?
✔ What solutions are there?
There are many parents who are worried about this.
Author
“There are so many people who say, “I’ve heard of growing pains, but…” 🌱 But if you understand it correctly, your anxiety will be greatly reduced.”
What are growing pains?
Growing pains are pains in the extremities (legs and arms) that are mainly seen in elementary school to middle school children, especially at night or while resting.
Although medically there is no clear name for the disease, “growing pains”, it is well known as a physical phenomenon seen all over the world. (jisak.jp)
Characteristics of pain location and symptoms
Common parts
- Calf
- Back of the knee
- Thighs
- Shins of legs
- Bullet of thigh
Characteristics of symptoms
✔ It often hurts at night or in the evening
✔ It’s not so bad that you can’t move
✔ The painful area may move
✔ It may be healed in the morning
✔ It often doesn’t hurt when you touch it
Author
“I often hear that people feel stiff in the morning, but only feel pain at night.”
The cause of growing pains is still not fully understood
The causes of growing pains are not completely understood.
Multiple factors are thought to be involved in medical and research settings as well.
A typical theory is:
① Amount of exercise and muscle strain
There is a theory that by running and jumping a lot during the day, minute loads accumulate on muscles, bones, and tendons, which manifests as pain at night.
This is especially common in active children.
② Imbalance of bones and muscles due to growth
When the body suddenly grows larger, the length and balance of bones, muscles, and ligaments may become temporarily misaligned.
It is thought that this misalignment may cause pain.
③ Influence of autonomic nervous system
There is also a theory that pain sensitivity increases when parasympathetic nerves become dominant after daytime activities.
It is cited as a reason why pain tends to occur especially before going to bed and at night.
Difference between growing pains and diseases that look similar
As a parent, my biggest concern is whether pain is a sign of a serious illness. That’s what I mean.
Here, we will explain points of illness that should be distinguished from growing pains.
🔎 Points of growing pains
✔ There is no swelling in a specific area
✔ There is no fever or fever
✔ It may subside when you move
✔ It often hurts only at night
✔ It doesn’t hurt to the touch at all
🩺 Signs that require attention
If you have the following symptoms, we recommend that you seek medical attention:
- There is swelling and a feeling of heat
- It hurts even if I sit still
- The pain is getting stronger
- I have a fever
- Unusual way of walking/dragging of feet
- Pain lasts for a long time in only one leg
These are signs of possible conditions other than growing pains.
Author
“Is it just growing pains? “Even if you think this is the case, if you feel strongly that something is wrong, please consult us as soon as possible.”
Age and frequency of growing pains
- Aim for Around 3 to 12 years old
- Especially during the active period of 5-8 years old
- Often mild pain that occurs several times a week to once every few weeks
Although there are individual differences, even if the pain is severe, it often does not interfere with daily life.
Self-care methods for growing pains
The following gentle care is said to be effective in relieving the pain of growing pains.
✔ ① Light massage
Gently rubbing or massaging the painful area
If you do this while being careful not to overstimulate it, it can also have a relaxing effect.
✔ ② Warm
A bath or gently heating with a warm towel may loosen the muscles and relieve pain.
Symptoms may be alleviated if done before going to bed.
Author
“Rather than cooling, the key is to provide care with comfortable warmth.”
✔ ③ Rest/Relax
After moving a lot during the day, pain often appears at night, so
✔ Adequate rest
✔ Stretching
✔ Relaxing time
is also important.
✔ ④ Example of stretching legs (gently)
- Rotate your ankles slowly
- Stretch your calves lightly
- Stretch your thighs
* Don’t push yourself too hard if the pain is strong
Things to do and don’t do even during growing pains
⭕ OK
- Light stretching
- [_li>–
- Relaxed movements
- Favorite play (as long as it doesn’t hurt)
❌ NG
- Move vigorously again immediately after strong exercise
- Forcibly pushing/pulling
- Movements with strong impact (such as jumping)
Author
“If you follow the basic rule of ‘rest when you feel pain,’ you will be less likely to have bad memories.”
When to consult a medical institution
Most growing pains will go away on their own if left alone, but in the following cases you should seek medical advice:
✔ The pain is severe
✔ Lasts for a long time
✔ There is swelling and a feeling of heat
✔ It hurts so much that you can’t walk
✔ It hurts not only at night but also during the day
Seeing a pediatrician or orthopedic surgeon can give you peace of mind.
How long will growing pains last?
In most cases, growing pains subside on their own until around puberty, when growth has slowed down.
As the body grows larger and the balance of muscles and bones stabilizes, pain tends to be less likely to occur.
Author
“If you understand that growing pains are temporary changes in your body, you will feel more at ease as a parent.”
Summary | What are growing pains? The point
✔ Growing pains are pains that accompany children’s growth and often subside naturally
✔ The cause is not completely understood, but it is related to the relationship between muscles, bones, and nerves
✔ It often hurts at night or while resting
✔ Light care (massage, warmth, rest) is effective
✔ If the pain is severe or you suspect something abnormal, contact a medical institution
Author
“It’s natural to feel anxious when your child is in pain. However, just having the correct knowledge will make your day-to-day parenting much safer. Let’s continue to care for your child in a way that doesn’t overdo it from today🌿”
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