Growing Pains

Growing pains are achy or cramping feelings that some kids get in their legs. They usually happen in the afternoon or evening and are better by morning.

Growing pains don’t damage your body, but experts aren’t sure what causes them. They’re called “growing pains” because people used to think they happened when your bones were growing quickly. It turns out the pain isn’t related to growing, but the name stuck.

Kids can start having growing pains as young as 3. They’re most common in kids 12 and under.

Are growing pains real?

Yes, growing pains are real — your child isn’t imagining their aching legs. But “growing pains” isn’t a great name for them, since they aren’t related to growth.

Symptoms of growing pains

Kids usually feel growing pains in their legs (like their shins, calves, thighs or behind their knees). Sometimes, your child’s arms might hurt too. The pain:

• Usually affects both sides of their body
• Comes on later in the day or during the night
• Lasts for several minutes or for hours at a time
• Is usually intermittent — it might go away for days or weeks and come back
• Might awaken your child from sleep
• Goes away by morning or with rest
• Might be more likely to happen on days when they have a lot of physical activity
• Doesn’t come with any other symptoms, like swelling, redness or limping
• Doesn’t stop your child from participating in activities

What do growing pains feel like?

Many kids say growing pains are a deep cramping or aching pain. But they can feel different for each child. The pain might be mild or severe.

Causes of growing pains

Experts aren’t really sure what causes growing pains. Some possible causes experts have suggested include:

• Increased physical activity, leading to overuse of muscles
• Hypermobility, flat feet, scoliosis or other body differences that can put stress on your body
• Vitamin D deficiency or low bone density, which can cause issues with your bones and muscles
• Anxiety or emotional distress, which can cause muscle aches, headaches and abdominal pain

There might be a genetic factor to growing pains, too — you might be more likely to experience them if your parents or siblings had them.

How doctors diagnose growing pains

There’s no specific test to diagnose growing pains. A healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and ask about your child’s symptoms. They might ask:

• Where the pain is located
• What it feels like
• When it started
• What your child was doing the day it started
• How often it happens
• If anything makes the pain better or worse
• How long the pain lasts

Your provider might get blood tests or imaging (like X-rays or an MRI) to rule out other conditions, especially if the description of the pain doesn’t sound like growing pains. For instance:

• If it only affects one side of your child’s body
• If it doesn’t get better with rest
• If your child has other symptoms, like swelling or redness
• If your child has joint pain

How are growing pains treated?

There’s no specific treatment for growing pains. To help relieve the pain, your child’s healthcare provider might suggest:

• Gentle massage
• Muscle stretches
• A heating pad

Warm baths

• Over-the-counter pain medications, like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®)
• Different amounts of physical activity
• Physical therapy
• Orthotics (shoe inserts)
• Mixing up sports or types of physical activities to work different muscle groups

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should always check with a healthcare provider if your child has unexplained pain. They can confirm if they’re likely to be growing pains or if they need to look into it further.

Talk to a healthcare provider right away if your child develops:

• Severe pain
• A lump in a muscle
• Limping
• Redness with pain
• Dark-colored pee (urine)
• Swelling that doesn’t get better or gets worse after 24 hours

How long do growing pains last?

Kids can have growing pains on and off for months or years after they first experience them. Most kids stop having them by age 12 or so, but some teenagers experience them, too.

What can I expect if my child has growing pains?

While not dangerous, frequent episodes of pain can have a major impact on your child and your family’s daily routine. They might miss sleep or avoid physical activity if it makes them hurt later. You may have to try a few different remedies to find what works best.