Growing pains are a common complaint among children, often described as an achy or throbbing discomfort in the legs and typically felt in the calves, thighs, or behind the knees. These pains usually occur at night and can sometimes wake children from sleep. While growing pains are a normal part of childhood development, they can still cause concern for parents and discomfort for kids. Many parents are surprised to learn that chiropractic care offers a safe, natural, and gentle way to help relieve growing pains in children. Revelation Chiropractic will share how chiropractors can help children experiencing growing pains, what to expect during treatment, and why chiropractic care can be a beneficial part of a child’s development.
What are Growing Pains?
Growing pains are muscle aches that typically affect children between the ages of 3 and 12. Although the exact cause isn’t fully understood, experts believe these pains may be due to:
• Muscle fatigue from increased physical activity.
• Rapid bone growth outpacing muscular development.
• Misalignments or imbalances in the spine or legs.
• Poor posture or gait.
• Emotional stress or sensitivity to body changes.
Growing pains are not associated with actual growth of bones or joints but are more likely a result of muscular strain and imbalance.
How Chiropractic Care Helps with Growing Pains
Chiropractic care focuses on maintaining a properly aligned spine and healthy nervous system function. For children, gentle chiropractic adjustments can help correct postural imbalances and relieve musculoskeletal tension, which are often underlying contributors to growing pains. Here’s how chiropractic care can benefit children suffering from growing pains:
Gentle Spinal and Joint Adjustments: Children’s bodies grow rapidly, and during growth spurts, the spine and joints can become slightly misaligned due to uneven development. These misalignments can create stress on muscles and nerves, leading to discomfort especially in the legs and lower back. Chiropractors use gentle, pediatric-specific adjustments to correct these misalignments, improving alignment and reducing strain on the body. These adjustments are safe, comfortable, and often involve light pressure, with no forceful movements.
Muscle Tension Relief: Tight muscles are a common trigger for growing pains. Chiropractors may use soft tissue techniques, stretching, and therapeutic massage to help relieve tension in the legs and back. This can ease discomfort and promote better sleep and mobility for your child. By loosening overly tight muscles and restoring balance, chiropractic care helps the body function more efficiently as it grows.
Supporting Healthy Posture and Movement: Children who are especially active or who participate in sports may be prone to developing poor posture or muscular imbalances. Over time, these issues can place extra strain on the legs and spine, contributing to growing pains. Chiropractors assess your child’s posture, gait, and spinal alignment to identify and correct any issues early on. They may also offer exercises and tips to help children improve posture, balance, and body mechanics.
Nervous System Regulation: The nervous system plays a key role in how the body perceives and responds to pain. When the spine is misaligned, nerve communication may be disrupted, which can increase sensitivity to discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments help restore normal nervous system function, potentially improving the body’s pain response and calming overactive nerves. Some parents even report that their children experience better mood, sleep, and focus after chiropractic care which can indirectly help reduce the emotional impact of growing pains.
Chiropractic Care & Therapy in Fort Collins, CO (Just Minutes from Loveland, Berthoud, Johnstown, Windsor and Wellington, Colorado)
If your child is experiencing frequent leg pain, trouble sleeping, or discomfort that seems to come and go with no clear cause, consider scheduling a consultation with a chiropractor. Want to see if chiropractic care is right for your child, contact Revelation Chiropractic today.
