Growth spurts are an important part of childhood physical development. They represent steps toward full adult stature. However, one common issue that accompanies them is pain in the leg muscles – typically simply called growing pains. Almost all children and adolescents do experience this phenomenon between age 3 and 16 at some point, and it can be troublesome to the point of contributing to other issues and life stressors. Since the cause does not need medical intervention, but the symptoms can potentially be uncomfortable and distressing for any young person, physical therapy is ideal for tackling this issue.
At JAG Physical Therapy, the leading name in pediatric and general PT throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, our skilled and compassionate therapists have a great deal of experience helping kids and teens recover from severe growing pains. We utilize safe and supportive strategies to not only tackle pain in the short term, but build up lifelong healthy habits for movement and sleep. Schedule an appointment now to get started or see more below on how physical therapy helps young people with growing pains.
What Are Growing Pains and Why Do Kids Get Them?
When a child who is undergoing bone growth (which usually continues until the late teenage years) has lower body musculoskeletal pain without a clear cause, this is termed growing pains. With modern medical knowledge, this is somewhat considered a misnomer, as growth doesn’t cause the pain. Instead, causes may include a combination of poor posture, fatigue, muscle and joint imbalances, lowered pain tolerance, and even mental factors such as school or family-related stress.
Kids usually report their growing pains are felt in the muscles, not the joints. The calf muscles are the most common site of pain, but aches may be felt elsewhere in the legs, thighs, and feet. Growing pains usually happen at night, ending before morning, and are not harmful nor a sign of disease or injury. Nevertheless, they can make kids lose sleep, thus affecting energy during the day and performance in school and in sports, and the level of pain can be very high.
When Should Physical Therapy Be Considered for Growing Pains?
Although growing pains are common and not a source of medical concern, some children and teenagers who experience them have problems in daily life as a result. Physical therapy is primarily helpful for growing pains when they interfere with school, recreation, or household activities or limit participation in sports. Recurrent pain over several weeks and pain that is severe enough to cause insomnia or waking in the middle of the night also calls for PT treatment.
In many cases, growing pains that are especially severe or disruptive indicate underlying but otherwise invisible musculoskeletal issues. Physical therapy can address these causes directly, whether they come from muscle imbalances, problems with flexibility, or chronic poor posture.
What Safe and Effective Exercises Can Help Kids with Growing Pains?
Growing pains are felt in a relatively small region of the body – that is the lower legs, concentrated typically in the calves. Therefore, the physical therapist recommended exercises target this area for relief that is both immediate and lasting. In this case, stretching is of great importance. Growing pains PT emphasizes gentle exercises that are simple enough for kids to remember and repeat and increase the flexibility of the calf muscles to reduce the possibility of cramping.
Other forms of exercise can also be very helpful in combating the root causes of growing pains. If a physical therapist determines the pain is worsened by postural issues, for example, they will recommend a core and hip strengthening routine to improve body positioning and balance. Lowered circulation to the leg muscles, meanwhile, can be remedied with low-impact aerobic activity.
Education for kids who deal with growing pains and their parents or guardians is also a key part of PT treatment for this issue. For example, pain that is caused by an awkward or contorted sleep position may be treated with advice on how to set up a bed for support during sleep. For a young patient, this may mean learning proper nighttime screen habits and how to place pillows for different sleep styles. Understanding the condition and the right physical steps to take is key to continually remedying growing pains at home. At JAG PT, we acknowledge that every child and teen’s musculoskeletal health is unique, and so we offer all of our patients a personalized treatment plan based on their needs.
What Are the Benefits of Pediatric Physical Therapy Beyond Pain Relief?
For young people dealing with growing pains, physical therapy can make a big difference for their day-to-day comfort. But a proper pediatric PT routine can help in many other ways as well, and even lower the possibility of injury to growing bones and muscles. The exercises that a therapist would typically recommend for growing pains will also build up strength and confidence. For kids and teenagers who are athletic, this helps them perform better on the field, court, or ice and get greater enjoyment out of their sports of choice. PT also instills safe movement patterns and corrects issues with posture or gait, contributing to better musculoskeletal health habits that can last a lifetime.
JAG Physical Therapy Supports Your Child's Growth and Development
Families all around New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania turn to JAG PT as their trusted source for pediatric physical therapy. As we have more than 160 convenient locations, we’re sure to be close by and ready to help your child deal with musculoskeletal ailments as they grow. Our focus is on keeping kids and teens active and pain-free so that they can move better and enjoy lowered risk of bone, joint, and muscle issues in the long run. We create an individualized PT care plan for all of our patients, and our compassionate and experienced PT teams always have quality of life in mind. Book an appointment now to help your child avoid pain and move with confidence as they grow.
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