Growing pains
Many parents hear their child say, “My legs hurt,” especially in the evening or after a busy day, and wonder whether it is simply growing pains. It is a phrase most families have heard, but it can be confusing because not all leg pain in children is harmless.
Growing pains are common, and in many cases they are not serious. But it is still important to know what typical growing pains look like, and what signs suggest the pain should be properly assessed.
What are growing pains?
Growing pains are episodes of aching or throbbing pain, usually in the legs, that occur in otherwise healthy children. Despite the name, they are not clearly proven to be caused by growth itself, but the term is still commonly used because it describes a familiar pattern in growing children.
Where do children usually feel them?
Growing pains are most often felt in:
the calves
the front of the thighs
behind the knees
both legs rather than just one side
The pain often comes on later in the day or in the evening, and sometimes wakes the child overnight. By the next morning, however, they are often completely fine again.
What do typical growing pains look like?
Typical growing pains usually:
affect both legs
come and go
happen in the evening or overnight
improve with massage, warmth or reassurance
do not cause limping the next morning
do not stop the child from running and playing normally the next day
A child with true growing pains is usually active, otherwise well, and moving normally between episodes.
A simple way to picture it
Diagram idea:
Front and back outline of both legs
Highlight calves, thighs and behind-knee areas on both sides
Caption: “Growing pains usually affect both legs and often appear later in the day or at night.”
What growing pains are not
This is the part that matters most for parents.
Not all leg pain in children is growing pains. Pain should be assessed if it:
is only on one side
causes a limp
is present in the morning
is associated with swelling
follows a clear injury
is located in a joint rather than a general ache in the muscles
is getting more intense over time
is associated with fever, fatigue or the child seeming unwell
In young footballers, repeated pain may be related to training load, muscle overuse, a growth plate condition such as Sever’s disease or Osgood-Schlatter disease, or an actual sports injury.
Why active kids complain of leg pain
Children who play football regularly place repeated load through muscles, tendons and growing bones. During busy weeks with club training, school sport, matches and active weekends, they may simply become sore and tired.
Sometimes that soreness is harmless and settles quickly. Other times it is the body’s way of signalling that the load is too high or that a specific area has become irritated. That is why repeated pain should not automatically be brushed off as “just growing.”
What can parents do at home?
If the pain fits a typical growing-pain pattern, useful things to try include:
gentle massage
a warm bath
simple stretching
reassurance
checking whether your child has had a particularly busy or active week
making sure they are getting enough sleep and recovery
When should a footballer be assessed?
Bring your child in for a physiotherapy assessment if:
leg pain keeps returning
they are limping after football
they are avoiding running, jumping or kicking
the pain is always in the same spot
they have joint pain rather than general leg aching
the symptoms are affecting school sport or training
you are not sure whether it is growing pains or a football-related injury
For active children, the key is working out whether the issue is harmless short-term soreness, a growth-related condition, or an injury that needs treatment.
How physiotherapy helps
Physiotherapy can help identify whether your child’s pain is more likely to be:
harmless growing pains
overload from football or other sport
muscle soreness or strain
a growth plate condition
a problem related to strength, mobility or training volume
We can then explain what is safe, what needs modifying, and what recovery strategies are most useful.
The bottom line
Growing pains are common and are usually not serious, especially when they affect both legs, come on at night, and disappear by the next day. But not every child’s leg pain is a normal part of growing.
If your child from Rockdale Ilinden keeps complaining of pain, is limping, or is not enjoying football the way they usually do, our physiotherapy team can help work out what is going on and whether treatment is needed. Please let our team know at your appointment that you are a member of Rockdale Ilinden for a 20% discount on all Physiotherapy services.