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Growing Pains
Those Annoying Little Aches By C.J. Johnson
The body goes through an amazing series of changes during childhood. In 
children with growing pains, the muscles or tendons are still a little too tight for the longer bones that are growing. Many of these children are unable to touch their toes with their fingertips without bending their knees because their tendons are so short.
Because of the shortness, it is thought that the muscle spasms. The tremor can last from one to 15 minutes and cause pain. "Currently, most doctors feel that growing pains are not actually due to growth itself," says Dr. Shaner. "But the name sounds benign and is therefore reassuring to families."
After doctors rule out other causes for the pains, they usually attribute the discomfort to growing pains. If the child's exam is normal, most often no further exams or tests are needed. Parents can review the following characteristics to determine if their child is experiencing something other than growing pains and needs more extensive medical testing.
Growing pains do not:
- Involve only one leg
- Involve joints
- Cause the child to limp
- Have stiffness, redness or swelling
- Accompany a rash or fever
- Feel worse by touching or moving the painful area
- Cause loss of appetite, weakness or fatigue
Children experiencing any of these signs or symptoms should promptly visit a pediatrician for a thorough examination.
- During a painful episode children can stretch the feet and toes upward.
- Apply moist heat to the aching area. li>Gently massage the muscles.
- Acetaminophen.
- Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids during the day.
- Have the child do daily stretching exercises. These exercises should be continued after the pain subsides in order to keep the muscles and tendons relaxed and able to handle the next growth spurt.