Why are growing pains in children considered “normal” when pain in every other aspect of life is considered “bad”? A moms brain inherently understands any pain your child is experiencing is in fact not normal, because if it was, you wouldn’t experience that gut-wrenching feeling of helplessness when your child is dealing with growing pains. Here at Landmark Chiropractic, we firmly believe you CAN do something to not only help your child who is experiencing this type of pain, but you can also work to prevent your child from feeling it in the first place!
Growing pains, characterized most often by intermittent leg discomfort in children, are frequently misunderstood as a typical part of growth. However, it’s crucial to recognize pain is not a normal aspect of any childhood development. Growing pains often occur during periods of rapid growth but can also be influenced by factors such as muscle fatigue, overuse, and neurosensory factors. Persistent or severe pain may indicate underlying imbalances in your child’s muscles, bones, and/or nervous system development. Pediatric chiropractors are trained to assess the structure and function of your child’s nervous system and spinal alignment and determine a specific care plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.
So, what causes growing pains? Several different early life events, such as traumatic birth, developmental delays, falls/accidents, or even emotional stress can all impact the healthy development of a child. If left uncorrected, the body will begin to create compensations for these stresses that ultimately show up down the line. Just because there are no symptoms now doesn’t mean there won’t be symptoms later. These early-life stresses can have lasting effects on a child’s health and may manifest as growing pains or other musculoskeletal problems later in childhood. Kids don’t grow out of things … they grow into new things, so “waiting it out” isn’t an effective treatment protocol!
The current treatment practice for growing pains usually comes down to OTC pain medication and a long wait. And while there is always a time and place for OTCs, many parents know these medications don’t actually help the root cause and often times can create additional issues. Inherently, I believe kids know this too. As a chiropractor, from my point of view, if we are teaching kids to “cover up their symptoms” and go on as if there isn’t a bigger problem, we aren’t empowering them to properly listen to their bodies and their innate wisdom.
Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to addressing developmental stresses, birth trauma, and growing pains in pediatric patients. By focusing on spinal alignment and nervous system function, specifically in the low back and the pelvis, chiropractors aim to identify and correct underlying issues contributing to discomfort or pain. Through gentle adjustments, we can help restore proper musculoskeletal balance, alleviate tension on nerves and muscles, and promote overall wellness in children. Chiropractic care is designed to help the body heal itself, not simply cover up symptoms.
If your child is suffering from growing pains, there is hope! Here are your options to support your child and help them work through these issues by getting to the root cause.
- Schedule a consultation with us! Helping your child improve the structure and function of their spine/nervous system is what we do best! ** If you aren’t local to Waco, we would still be happy to assist you in finding a pediatric chiropractor in your area. **
- Schedule a consultation with a pediatric physical therapist. They are trained to support your child’s growth and development from a similar-yet-different conservative way.
- Proper hydration. It’s recommended that kids drink a MINIMUM of half their body weight in ounces of water per day. If your child is active (as all children should be!) then it’s encouraged to keep that ratio closer to 1:1 ounces per pound.
- Epsom salt baths have proven to help decrease inflammation naturally in the body
- Stretching. Specifically the muscles of the pelvis and legs, including the quads, hamstrings, hip flexors, and calves.
Remember, growing pains are not a normal part of childhood development and may indicate underlying musculoskeletal imbalances or nervous system dysfunction. Chiropractic care offers a safe, non-invasive approach to determining the underlying reason for growing pains and promoting pediatric wellness. By addressing spinal alignment, nervous system function, and early-life stresses, chiropractic care helps children thrive and enjoy a pain-free childhood. Collaborative efforts between healthcare providers are essential to ensure comprehensive care for children experiencing growing pains and other musculoskeletal issues.
If you have any questions, please contact us at Landmark Chiropractic.
254-265-7007
team@landmarkchiropractic.com
Instagram: @wacochiropractor
In Good Health –
Dr. Andrew Oestreich D.C.