Growing pains in kids are a common experience. Your child may experience deep cramping or aching pain.

“Growing pains can be diagnosed by the pattern of pain and a regular exam,” said Leah Meidl, Marshfield Clinic Health System med-peds nurse practitioner “Labs and X-rays are rarely helpful.”

The pain might feel like tightness, cramp or an ache in thigh or calf muscles lasting 10-30 minutes or as long as a few hours. Pain may occur in both legs and often happen after active days. “Often times, this occurs at night,” Meidl said.  “The pain typically does not occur during the physical activity, but rather later, when the muscles relax.”

How to help growing pains in kids

Despite the name, a child growing or growth spurts aren’t causing these pains. One thought is physical activity can make muscles tired and more likely to cramp or ache. Dehydration also is a possible cause of pain.

“Although no one knows for sure what’s behind them, growth is not the cause,” Meidel said. “Even at the peak of an adolescent growth spurt, a child’s rate of growth is too gradual to be painful.”

If your child has these pains, you can help by trying:

• Gently massage your child’s leg where the muscle hurts.
• Place a warm heating pad under the painful area until your child’s leg feels better.
• Give ibuprofen or acetaminophen. It can help relax the painful muscle so your child can fall asleep.
• Make sure your child always has water available to drink during the day.

Some persistent symptoms need further attention

While growing pains aren’t harmful, you should watch for possible symptoms of other causes. “Growing pains do not cause limping, joint swelling or daytime pain or pain in a persistent spot. Connect with your child’s pediatric care provider for a workup if these symptoms occur,” Meidl said.

Call your child’s health care provider right away if your child has any of the following:

• Severe pain.
• Fever.
• Swelling that doesn’t go away or increases after 24 hours despite treatment with rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE).
• Discomfort that lasts into the morning such as pain, limping or stiffness.
• A lump in the muscle that doesn’t go away.
• Reddening or increased warmth in the skin.
• Dark urine, especially after exercise (if severe, seek emergency care).

For questions about growing pains, talk to a Marshfield Children’s provider.

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