ARE ‘GROWING PAINS’ REALLY ABOUT GROWTH?
BY DORTE BLADT
A mum came in to see me this week. She’s in her thirties—fit, active, eats well, raising three young children… ticking all the boxes. Her concern?
Growing pains.
Yes – still!
She’s had them since she was a child and knows the pattern well:
aching legs through the thighs and shins, waking her in the middle of the night, sending her wandering around the house stretching, rubbing her legs and reaching for the magnesium cream.
And it got me thinking… How is it that something so common is still so poorly understood??
Not really about growth (sorry, parents)
Despite the name, growing pains are unlikely to be caused by growth itself.
In fact, the more accurate term is: “benign nocturnal limb pains of childhood.”
Not exactly catchy… but more honest.
Because what we’re really seeing is not bones “growing too fast,” but rather a child’s body saying:
“I need a little help here.”
So what’s actually going on?
The current understanding is that growing pains are multifactorial (which is a fancy way of saying: there’s not just one cause).
Instead, it’s likely a mix of:
how your child moves and loads their body
how well they recover
their sleep patterns
nutritional factors (like vitamin D and iron)
and how their nervous system processes sensation and information
Some children are also a bit more bendy (hypermobile) - which means their muscles have to work harder to stabilise their joints. By bedtime… those little legs have done a full day’s work.
What does it usually look like?
Parents often describe:
aching in both legs (not just one)
pain in the evening or at night
waking from sleep
completely fine again by morning
And during the day?
They’re running, climbing, jumping… like nothing ever happened.
What do we look for as chiropractors?
This is where it gets interesting.
When a child comes in with “growing pains,” we’re not just thinking:
“Where does it hurt?”
We’re asking:
“What might be contributing to this?”
Here are some of the key things we look at:
1. Stability vs flexibility
Some kids are wonderfully bendy (future gymnasts… or professional couch acrobats).
But with that flexibility can come:
reduced joint stability
muscles working overtime
end-of-day fatigue
We look at how well their body is supported and controlled, not just how far it can move.
2. Movement and daily load
Kids are BUSY.
We look at:
how much they’re doing
how they’re moving
what their day actually looks like
Sometimes it’s not the activity, but an accumulation of activity without enough recovery.
3. Sleep (a big clue!)
Night pain is one of the biggest hints.
We ask:
Do they wake often?
Are they restless sleepers?
Do they kick, toss or move a lot?
Some children with “growing pains” may have restless legs–type patterns.
4. Nutrition
This is often overlooked, but it is important.
We consider:
Vitamin D (sunshine + supplementation if needed)
Iron levels (especially in active or fussy eaters)
Magnesium (for relaxation and muscle comfort)
Water (dehydration can contribute to muscle fatigue and cramping as well as nervous system sensitivity)
5. The nervous system
Some children are simply more:
sensitive
reactive
aware of sensations
This doesn’t mean anything is wrong, it just means their system may feel things more intensely.
This is something chiropractors work with every day.
So what can you do at home?
Here are some simple, effective ways to help:
✔ Gentle massage or leg rubs maybe with magnesium
✔ Warm baths before bed (Epsom salt)
✔ Regular outdoor play (hello vitamin D – and/or supplement with D3)
✔ Iron-rich foods (think red meat, leafy greens or iron supplement)
✔ A calm, consistent bedtime routine
✔ Balancing busy days with enough rest
And sometimes… just a cuddle and reassurance go a long way.
When should you get it checked?
While growing pains are usually harmless, it’s important to get advice if your child has:
pain in one leg only
limping or avoiding activity
pain that continues during the day
swelling, redness, or fever
or if your gut says something isn’t right
A different way to think about it
Perhaps the most helpful shift is this:
Growing pains are real—but they are probably not caused by growth alone.
Instead, they reflect how your child’s body is responding to:
activity
movement
rest
and development
Final thought
That mum reminded me of something important.
For some children, this isn’t just a passing phase. It can become a lifelong pattern if we don’t understand what’s driving it.
And maybe the question is no longer:
“What is growing too fast?”
But rather:
“What might this child need a little more support with right now?”
Warmly,
Dorte and the Family Chiro Team
