Are Growing Pains Real?

🌟 Growing Pains in Kids: What’s Normal, What’s Not and What Can Help?!

If your child wakes up at night with sore legs, you’re not alone. “Growing pains” are one of the most common reasons kids complain of leg pain — especially between ages 3 and 12. But what exactly are they, and how can physiotherapy help?

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💡 What Are Growing Pains?

Despite the name, growing pains aren’t directly caused by growth spurts. They’re more about muscle fatigue and sensitivity from an active day. Kids who run, jump, and play hard often feel aching or throbbing in both legs, usually in the calves, thighs, or behind the knees. Kid’s bones grow faster than their muscles, tendons and ligaments and can cause discomfort while these structures catch up!

Pain typically:

    •    Happens in the evening or at night

    •    Improves by morning

    •    Doesn’t cause swelling, redness, or limping

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⚕️ When to See a Professional

While most growing pains are harmless, it’s important to rule out other causes if:

    •    The pain is in one leg only

    •    There’s swelling, redness, or warmth

    •    Your child limps or refuses to walk

    •    The pain persists during the day

If any of these apply, your pediatrician or physiotherapist can assess for other conditions such as overuse injuries, joint inflammation, or alignment issues.

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🧘‍♀️ How Physiotherapy Can Help

At Better Beyond Rehab, our physiotherapists help kids (and parents!) feel confident about what’s normal — and what’s not.

We can:

    •    Assess posture, muscle strength, and flexibility to spot imbalances

    •    Teach gentle stretches and strengthening exercises for leg muscles and core

    •    Recommend warm-up and cool-down routines before sports

    •    Guide families on night-time comfort strategies, like massage or warm compresses

With the right exercises and reassurance, most children feel better and sleep more comfortably.

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🌟 Helping Kids Move Beyond Growing Pains

Growing pains are part of an active, healthy childhood — but they don’t have to mean sleepless nights or missed playtime. Our team can help your child stay active, strong, and pain-free as they grow.

📅 Book a pediatric physiotherapy assessment today and help your child move better, feel better, and sleep better.

👉 Book online now (https://betterbeyondrehabilitation.janeapp.com/)