Growing Pains

Diagnosis

There are no specific tests to diagnose growing pains. The healthcare provider may conduct a physical examination and inquire about the child’s symptoms. They will inquire about the location of the child’s pain, when it began, and what the child was doing on the day it occurred.

Growing pains may be diagnosed if they are caused by excessive activity during the day, such as playing sports, exercising, running, or leaping. However, leg pain does not always result from growing pains.

If the child experiences pain on just one side of their body or awakens with pain or stiffness, their healthcare provider may recommend laboratory or imaging tests to eliminate other possible reasons for the pain.

Treatment

While there is no specific treatment for growing pains, a child’s healthcare provider can offer guidance on pain management strategies. Typically, within a year or two, growing pains tend to resolve on their own. If they persist beyond this timeframe, they often become less severe. Importantly, these pains typically do not have any adverse effects on other aspects of a child’s health or growth.

Pain management techniques may involve gentle massages and muscle stretches in the affected areas, as well as the use of a heating pad to alleviate discomfort. The child may be prescribed with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

Promoting increased physical activity, addressing hypermobility with the assistance of physical therapy, and contemplating the use of orthotics for flat feet can also be beneficial in alleviating the symptoms associated with growing pains.