Is there Such a Thing as Growing Pains?

In this episode of Dr. Joe's Power On BODcast, Dr. Joe Sheppard explores the common childhood complaint known as growing pains and explains why they may not actually be caused by growth. He discusses what growing pains are, why researchers believe they are more likely related to muscle fatigue, physical activity, and normal childhood development, and the typical signs parents can expect.

Dr. Sheppard also reviews when leg pain may be a sign of a more serious condition that requires medical evaluation and shares practical tips parents can use at home to help ease their child's discomfort. Finally, he explains how chiropractic evaluations can help assess posture, spinal motion, and overall biomechanics to support healthy movement in growing children. This episode provides parents with evidence-based information to better understand childhood aches and pains and know when it's appropriate to seek professional care.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

In the time it takes you to get home, work, or play, Dr. Joe's podcast will inform and educate you on chiropractic, nutrition, and fitness, keeping you and your family up to date on current products, health tips, and optimized living with chiropractic care. And here's your host, Dr. Joe Shepherd.

SPEAKER_01 0:26

Hello, my name is Dr. Joe Shepherd of Shepard Chiropractic. Today on Dr. Joe's Power On Podcast, episode number 53, we're tackling a topic every parent questions, growing pains. If you're a parent, grandparent, and uncle, or anyone who spends time around kids, you've probably heard a child say, My legs hurt, especially at bedtime. Maybe you've even heard your own parents tell you, don't worry, they're just growing pains. But have you ever stopped to wonder whether growing pains are actually caused by growing? Well, today we're going to separate fact from fiction and talk about what growing pains really are, why they happen, what parents should watch for, and how chiropractic care may fit into keeping children moving and functioning at their best. So let's kick off the shoes, take a deep breath, maybe roll those shoulders back, and let's get aligned together. Okay, so what are growing pains? Well, growing pains are one of the most common reasons children complain of leg discomfort. They usually occur between the ages of three and twelve years of age. And parents often describe the same pattern. Their child may have been active all day, running around outside, playing sports, climbing on playground equipment, or just being a kid. And everything seems perfectly normal during the day. Then bedtime comes, and suddenly the child complains that their legs hurt. The pain usually affects both legs rather than one. Most commonly it's felt in the calves, in the thighs, and sometimes behind the knees. Parents may rub the kid's legs for a few minutes, maybe use a heating pad or maybe a warm bath, and eventually the child just falls asleep. Then the next morning they're just perfectly fine. They're running, jumping, and playing, like nothing ever happened. If that sounds familiar, well, you're certainly not alone. And millions of kids experience this pattern every year. So what are they really caused by growth? Well, here's where things get very interesting. Despite the name growing pains, researchers have found very little evidence that normal bone growth actually causes pain. Think about it, children grow for years. If growth itself were painful, wouldn't it hurt all day long? Wouldn't they complain constantly during every single growth spurt? That's not what happens. Instead, their discomfort tends to happen after activity and almost always improves with mourning. Bones grow from areas called growth plates. These growth plates gradually produce new bone tissue over time. This process is generally painless. So despite the name, growing pains probably aren't growing pains at all. Then you know what causes them? Well, this is the million dollar question. The truth is that we don't know exactly why growing pains happen. But researchers have several good theories. One possibility is just simple muscle fatigue. Children are incredibly active. They run, they jump, they climb, they fall, they get back up, and they repeat. Their muscles work hard all day long. Just like adults can have sore muscles after exercising, children can experience muscle fatigue after a busy day. Another possibility is just overuse. Kids don't know when to slow down. They'll play until someone tells them it's time to come inside. And sometimes their muscles simply need a chance to recover. Researchers have also noticed that kids with growing pains may have more flexible joints than the average kid. While flexibility is a good thing to have, it can sometimes place additional demands on muscles that work harder to stabilize those joints. There may also be differences in posture, walking mechanics, movement patterns that contribute to this muscle strain. So while we still use the term growing pains, many experts believe that they're better described as activity related muscle aches. Children's bodies go through a lot when they're growing up. One thing I've always reminded parents is this children aren't miniature adults. They're constantly developing. Their muscles are getting stronger. Their coordination is improving, their balance is changing. Their nervous system is learning how to control movement more efficiently. Every year they're getting taller, heavier, faster, stronger. That means their muscles, ligaments, joints, and nervous system are constantly adapting. It's actually amazing how resilient children are. So what role does the spine play in all this? Well, since this is a chiropractic podcast, let's talk about the spine. Everything in the body is coordinated through the nervous system. The brain communicates with muscles through nerves that travel through the spinal column. Healthy movement depends on good communication between the brain, the spine, and the rest of the body. When joints don't move as well as they should, muscles may compensate by working harder. That doesn't necessarily mean restricted spinal movement causes growing pains. There simply isn't enough scientific evidence to make that claim. However, evaluating a child's posture, spinal movement, and overall biomechanics can be an important part of assessing a musculoskeletal health. You know, at Shepherd Chiropractic, we look at the whole picture of your kids. We evaluate the posture, movement, flexibility, joint function, and how the body works together as one system. If we identify areas of restricted joint motion that are appropriate for chiropractic care, we develop an individualized plan based on your child's specific needs. So what can parents do at home? Fortunately, many children with typical growing pains respond well to simple home care. You know, gentle stretching before bedtime can be good. A warm bath help relax tired muscles. Light massage often provides comfort. Encouraging children to stay hydrated is another good habit. Proper footwear also matters. Kids spend hours running and jumping, and your supportive shoes can make a big difference compared to worn out or poorly fitted footwear. And perhaps most importantly, don't discourage physical activity. Kids need to move. Exercise strengthens the muscles, improves coordination, and supports healthy development. The goal isn't to stop activity, it's to help children recover well afterward. So when should parents be concerned? Now, here's the part I really want parents to pay attention to. Typical growing pains are usually harmless, but not every leg ache is a growing pain. If your child has pain in only one leg, pain that continues throughout the day, swelling, redness, fever, limping, joint stiffness, maybe pain after a significant injury, or pain that continues to get worse, those are situations that you should contact your child's pediatrician. Growing pains shouldn't cause a child to limp. They shouldn't produce swelling, and they shouldn't interfere with their normal daily activities and sports. When something doesn't seem right, trust your instincts and have your child evaluated. So how can chiropractic care help your child? Parents often ask whether chiropractic care can help children experiencing recurring aches. The answer depends on what's causing the discomfort. Chiropractic care is not considered a treatment for growing pains themselves. However, children who have poor posture, sports-related strain, mechanical joint restrictions, or movement dysfunction may benefit from a chiropractic evaluation and adjustments. Our goal isn't simply to chase symptoms, it's to assess how your body's is moving and how functioning as a whole with your kids. Every child is different, and that's why every examination should be individualized. Sometimes parents are surprised to learn that their child's complaints may be related to posture, excessive sports participation, heavy backpacks, or other mechanical stresses rather than just growth itself. Take the home take this home as your message. So let's wrap this up. Growing pains are very real. Children truly experience the discomfort. But despite the name, the pain probably isn't caused by bones growing. Instead, it appears to be related to muscle fatigue, activity movement patterns, flexibility, and the normal demands placed on kids' developing body. So fortunately, these episodes are usually temporary, and most children outgrow them completely. If your child's symptoms fit the typical pattern we're talking about, simple home care is often enough. But if the pain seems unusual, persistent, maybe one-sided, or accompanied with other symptoms, don't ignore them. Have your child evaluated by the appropriate health care provider. And if you're wondering whether your child's posture, movement, or spinal function could be contributing to overall musculoskeletal stress, we'd be happy to perform a chiropractic evaluation here at Shepherd Chiropractic. So, you know, thanks to you so much for spending a few minutes with me today. I hope this episode helped answer one of the most common questions parents ask about childhood aches and pains. And if you found today's podcast helpful, please share it with another parent, grandparent, teacher, or coach. You never know who might benefit from understanding that growing pains are a little more complicated than their name suggests. For more articles, podcasts, and information on natural health and chiropractic care, visit our website, Shepherdchiropractic.com, or follow us on social media. So I appreciate you uh listening to the podcasts. And you know, at Shepherd Chiropractic, our goal is to help your kids move better, feel better, and get back to doing the things you enjoy, not only for kids, but for adults too. And as always, before you go, if this episode helped you in any way, would you do me a small favor? Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. And think of one person, a friend or family member who could benefit from what you heard today, and you know, send it to them. Personal recommendations are how this podcast will grow, and I truly appreciate your support. Until next time, keep your power on. Have a great week, and thank you for listening.

SPEAKER_00 12:38

Thanks for joining us on this episode of Dr. Joe's Podcast. Discover more insights on chiropractic, nutrition, and fitness on next week's episode and at Shepherdchiropractic.com.