Growing pains



09.11.22



By Free Motion Physiotherapy





Does your child experience ‘growing pains’?



Recent research shows that around 15-20% of school age children experience growing pains. Our younger population is an active and throughout the year they are on sports field or indoor sports arenas. It is common nowadays for our children to go from one sporting season straight into the next, or even do multiple sports within one season.



What are Growing Pains?



Growing pains are muscular pains that are common in children of primary school age. Typically, pain appears during periods of sudden and fast growth and increased strenuous activity. The pain can be moderate to severe. Although not considered extremely serious, growing pains can disrupt your child’s sleeping patterns and can negatively affect their overall physical and emotional wellbeing.



What causes Growing Pains?



Growing pains occur as a result of rapid periods of musculoskeletal growth, meaning your child’s bones are growing faster than their muscles. During a growth spurt bone can grow by as much as 1mm per day, whereas muscles, tendons and ligaments can only grow by 0.8mm a day. This means it takes time for the muscles to catch up and during this period your child may experience pain.


There are also other factors that can impact the probability of your child experiencing growing pains:


  • High-impact sports: Sports that involve running and jumping can aggravate growing pains. Non-weight-bearing sports such as swimming and cycling are less likely to cause pain.
  • Running pattern: How your child runs can influence the likelihood of experiencing pain.
  • Foot position and pronation: How your child’s foot pronates, or rolls can aggravate growing pains.
  • Previous strains and sprains: A history of previous injuries such as strains and sprains can increase the chances of growing pains.
  • Inadequate footwear: Improper footwear may contribute to problems with how your child walks, runs and moves, leading to pain.
  • A low pain threshold: Research shows that a child with a lower tolerance to pain is more likely to experience growing pains during crucial growth periods of childhood and adolescence.


What are the Symptoms of Growing Pain?



Symptoms of growing pain can include:



  • Growing pains can vary in presentation from mild to severe pain.
  • Local pain around muscle attachment points around the legs, knees, shins, or heels.
  • The pain is usually worse during or after a period of physical activity or high-impact sport.
  • Pain may decrease as your child “warms up”.
  • Limping may occur during the activity or for periods following the activity.
  • Growing pains may present in both legs or be worse in one leg.
  • Your child may report pain that is worse in the evening and at night.
  • Most children have improved pain or are pain-free by the morning, after bed rest.


Common Growing Pains



Osgood Schlatter’s

Pain is located just below the knee occurring as a result of the quadricep muscle pulling on the point of insertion below the knee cap.


Severs disease

Pain in the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bone. Muscle tension and inflexibility of the calf results in inflammation and irritation of the bone.


Shin splints

While shin splints are not specifically isolated to the younger, growing population, it is common. Pain can be located on either side of the shin depending on which muscle groups have been affected.



What Should I do if my Child has Growing Pains?



In 90 percent of children the growing pains will clear up quickly.



As an initial home treatment you can try:

  • Gentle massage of the sore muscles
  • Reassure your child
  • Heat - A warm bath or a hot water bottle over the affected muscles can help.
  • Talk to your child about their pain so they do not become anxious as this can make the pain seem worse. If your child’s growing pains persist, seeing a physiotherapist is advised as prolonged pain can lead to muscle imbalance. This puts increased stresses and strains on joints which can lead to chronic inflammation and recurring injuries.


Physiotherapy for Growing Pains



A physiotherapist will do a thorough physical assessment of your child that may include assessing joint range of motion, flexibility, strength, and physical tests of the surrounding structures. In addition, a physio will also assess your child’s posture, movement patterns, and gait to identify if these factors affect their symptoms. The assessment’s focus is to determine the underlying biomechanical cause of your child’s pain. Once your physiotherapist has diagnosed the cause of the growing pains, a range of treatment strategies can be implemented. The initial aim of physiotherapy will be to reduce pain by reducing inflammation and improving muscle flexibility.



Home Exercise Program



An exercise program focussing on stretching, strengthening, proprioception and balance exercises will designed for the specific needs of your child. As every child is different and has different physical abilities and limitations, the physiotherapist will determine which muscles are the most problematic, and what stretches will be most effective at reducing the pain. Strengthening their core and global muscle groups is essential. The program may also include customised drills that are related to the sports or activities that your child does.



Strapping



Kinesiology, dynamic, or sports tape can be useful in relieving pressure or load on painful areas of the leg and joints. It can also ease inflammation.


Suitable footwear or orthotics

Biomechanical issues with walking or running can be improved and corrected using appropriate shoes that are supportive, or customised orthotic inserts if required.



Mobilization and massage



The physiotherapist may use heat, ice, massage, stretching and muscle and joint mobilisations in order to relax and lengthen tight or inflexible muscles and mobilise stiff joints.


Rest time

If your child is experiencing severe pain that will not abate, the physiotherapist may recommend a period of complete rest from sport and any intensive physical activity. In these cases, other forms of gentle and minimal impact exercises may be recommended, such as swimming or cycling, as well as their home exercise program. Children can normally resume physical activity again, the key is finding the right activity that won’t aggravate the pain



Contact us!



For any enquiries, please feel free to contact us.

Phone: +27(87) 702 7850

Email: info@freemotionphysio.co.za

Website: www.freemotionphysio.co.za



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