This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:
Original: 20代・30代の成長痛はあり得る？｜大人の脚の痛みと原因・見分け方をやさしく解説
Can people in their 20s and 30s still experience “growing pains”?
“Growing pains” are often mentioned in childhood.
I wonder if that symptom of leg muscle pain at night still occurs in your 20s or 30s…?
Some people may have such questions.
In conclusion, Medically, “growing pains” are considered to be unique to children.
In other words, true growing pains in your 20s and 30s basically don’t occur.
Author
“Does the pain remain into adulthood? “It makes me feel anxious, but if the same symptoms occur as an adult, it’s important to consider other causes.”
Are growing pains really only for children?
The term “growing pains” generally refers to leg pain that occurs when the bones are growing (around 3 to 12 years of age), so it is not considered “growing pains” in adults.
However, even as an adult
- My legs are throbbing in pain
- The pain gets worse at night
- There is a pattern that disappears in the morning
These symptoms may occur.
However, there is a good chance that it is notgrowing pains, but pain caused by something else.
Author
“Many of the pains experienced by adults are not caused by ‘growing pains’ but are caused by the way the body is used and the condition of the muscles.”
Main causes of pain in your 20s and 30s
Let’s take a look at the most common causes when you feel child-like “leg pain at night” as an adult (this is different from the growing pains of childhood).
✔ ① Acute muscular pain (DOMS)
Muscle pain that occurs the day after exercise or several days later.
This is especially likely to occur if you use muscles that you don’t normally use or if you exercise at a high intensity.
✔ Legs feel weak and sore after exercise
✔ Muscles are stiff
✔ Usually resolves within a few days
Author
“This is often the case when people in their 20s and 30s experience pain after a day of sudden exercise.”
✔ ② Troubles around muscles, tendons, and joints
Adults are prone to stress on their muscles and joints due to daily life and exercise.
Although not growing pains, causes include:
- Shin splints (shin pain)
- Tension and inflammation of leg muscles and tendons
- Pain due to overuse of joints
These pains may be worse at night, but they have different causes.
✔ ③ Effects on body fluids, metabolism, and blood vessels (cramps, etc.)
The most common cause of leg pain in adults is muscle spasms like cramps.
This is
- Twitching pain while sleeping
- Cut your foot
- Muscles become stiff
The following symptoms appear.
This is also not medically growing pains.
Author
“Leg pain is also related to lifestyle habits and lack of water and minerals.”
✔ ④ Other pathological pain (sometimes careful)
Even in your 20s and 30s, the cause of your pain may be due to another disease or condition.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Arthritis (rheumatism, osteoarthritis)
- Lyme disease (infectious disease)
- Nerve pain and other chronic pain conditions
etc.
If you have particularly severe pain, swelling, heat, or numbness, it is important to have it checked by a medical institution.
How can you tell the difference between leg pain in adults and “growing pains”?
The points to distinguish between growing pains in children and growing pains in adults are as follows.
🟡 Growing pains in children (common between ages 3 and 12)
- It often hurts at night or before going to bed
- Feisty during the day
- No swelling or fever
- Location may change on the day
👉 Children’s “growing pains” are temporary pains.
🔵 “Growing pain-like” pain for adults
- There is a clear cause, such as after exercise
- The location of the pain is determined
- Pain may occur from morning to daytime
- If there is swelling, heat, or numbness, a medical examination is required
👉 This could be a “muscle/joint problem” or other illness.
Author
“I was told it was “growing pains,” but does it also apply to adults? From a medical perspective, the correct answer to this question is, “It’s not a child’s growing pains.”
What should adults do if they suffer from leg pain?
We recommend the following measures:
✔ Daily self-care
- Moderate stretching
- Warming/massage
- Cool down after exercise
- Moisture/nutritional balance
etc. are effective for treating muscle and joint pain in adults.
Author
“It’s reassuring to know that ‘adults need to take care of their bodies even when they’re not growing up.'”
✔ Guidelines for seeing a doctor when the pain is severe
Consult a specialist if you have the following symptoms:
- There is swelling or a feeling of heat
- Having trouble walking or daily life
- Continued severe pain
- Feeling numb or uncomfortable
This is not due to growing pains, but may be due to another disease or problem.
Summary | There are basically no “growing pains” in your 20s and 30s
✔ Growing pains are a phenomenon unique to children and do not occur in adults.
✔ Leg pain in adults is often caused by muscles, joints, and lifestyle habits.
✔ Even adults can experience pain at night, but the cause is different.
✔ If you experience strong pain or abnormalities, see a medical institution for diagnosis.
Author
“Don’t get too carried away by the name ‘growing pains’ and knowing the real cause of the pain will give you the most peace of mind🌱”
