What Growing Pains Really Are
Most parents have heard the term, but very few know what it actually means. So let us clear that up first.
Growing pains have nothing to do with growing.
The name has been around for over a hundred years, but modern pediatric research does not support it. Bones do not cause pain when they lengthen. There is no medical evidence linking growth spurts to leg pain at night.
So what is actually causing the pain?
Researchers point to a combination of factors:
| Likely Cause | What It Means |
| Muscle fatigue | Active kids overuse certain muscle groups during the day |
| Posture and gait issues | Small misalignments cause uneven movement patterns |
| Lower pain threshold | Some children feel discomfort more intensely than others |
| Nervous system regulation | The body struggles to settle and recover at night |
| Restless leg patterns | Some kids show similar symptoms to adult restless leg syndrome |
The last two are where chiropractic care becomes relevant. We will explain why in section 5.
Common Symptoms in Children
Growing pains follow a recognizable pattern. If your child fits most of this list, you are likely dealing with classic growing pains.
Typical symptoms
- Pain in both legs, not just one
- Pain in the calves, thighs, or behind the knees
- Pain in the evening or at night
- No swelling, redness, or bruising
- Child is active and pain-free during the day
- Episodes come and go, sometimes with weeks in between
- Massage or gentle pressure provides some relief
Age range
Most kids experience growing pains in two windows:
- Ages 3 to 5
- Ages 8 to 12
Some children fall outside these ranges. Most outgrow them by the mid-teens.
Red Flags: When to See a Doctor First
Most kids with leg pain at night are fine. But some symptoms point to something other than growing pains. If any of these are present, please see your pediatrician before considering chiropractic care.
See a doctor first if your child has:
- Pain in only one leg, especially the same spot every time
- Swelling, redness, or warmth in a joint
- A limp during the day
- Fever along with the pain
- Weight loss or unusual fatigue
- Pain that gets worse over weeks rather than better
- Morning stiffness or joint pain
We say this clearly because we would rather you get the right help than the convenient help.
If those red flags are not present and the pattern matches classic growing pains, you have several options.
Why Standard Remedies Often Fall Short
By the time most parents come to our office, they have already tried the standard playbook:
- Children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Heating pads
- Massage
- Warm baths
- Bedtime stretches
These can take the edge off in the moment. We are not telling you to stop using them.
But there is a catch.
These remedies treat the symptom, not the cause. If your child is waking up two or three nights a week in pain, masking the pain night after night is not a long-term plan. The episodes keep coming back because the underlying issue is still there.
That underlying issue is usually mechanical. And mechanical problems need mechanical solutions.
How Chiropractic Care Helps with Growing Pains
This is the part most parents have not heard before. Let us break it down clearly.
The connection between the spine and leg pain
Your child’s nervous system controls how their body processes pain, recovers from activity, and regulates itself at night. The spine is the highway for that nervous system.
When the spine, hips, or pelvis are even slightly out of alignment, three things happen:
- Gait becomes uneven. Your child walks slightly off-balance all day without anyone noticing.
- Certain muscles overwork. Some muscle groups end up doing more than their share to compensate.
- Recovery becomes harder. The nervous system struggles to settle the body at night.
By bedtime, the muscles that have been overworked all day finally get the message. That is when the leg pain shows up.
What we look at in a pediatric assessment
A pediatric chiropractor examines:
- Spinal alignment
- Pelvic position
- Hip mobility
- Leg length differences
- Foot and ankle posture
- Walking and standing patterns
- Sleep position habits
These small mechanical issues build up quietly over months and years. Kids run, jump, fall, climb, sit hunched over tablets, sleep in odd positions, and grow at uneven rates. All of it adds up.
What pediatric adjustments are like
Pediatric adjustments are very different from adult chiropractic care. There is no twisting, no cracking, no forceful movement.
For younger children, the pressure used is about as firm as testing whether a peach is ripe. For older kids, adjustments are slightly more involved but still gentle. We always explain what we are doing before we do it.
Most kids find the experience relaxing. Many fall asleep on the table.
What a Pediatric Chiropractic Visit Looks Like
Here is what to expect, step by step.
First visit (about 45 minutes)
- Step 1: Conversation. We talk with you about your child’s history, sleep patterns, daily activity, posture habits, and what you have been seeing at night.
- Step 2: Observation. We watch how your child stands, walks, and moves. This often reveals more than any test.
- Step 3: Hands-on assessment. Gentle physical checks of the spine, hips, and legs.
- Step 4: Findings and plan. We explain what we found in plain English. You decide what to do next. There is no pressure to commit to a treatment plan on the spot.
Follow-up visits (about 15 to 20 minutes)
Shorter and focused on the adjustment itself, plus any home recommendations to keep progress moving.
How many visits to expect
Every child is different. Some show meaningful improvement in two or three visits. Others need a longer schedule. We give you an honest estimate after the first visit and never push more visits than necessary.
Home Remedies That Work
These are the things we recommend to families even before they come in. None of them require a chiropractor. They are safe, simple, and worth trying for two weeks before deciding on professional care.
Magnesium-rich evening snack
About an hour before bed, try:
- Half a banana
- A small handful of almonds
- A tablespoon of pumpkin seeds
- A few squares of dark chocolate (for older kids)
Magnesium helps muscles relax. Some parents use magnesium glycinate supplements, but check with your pediatrician first.
A 5-minute stretch routine
Three simple stretches before bed:
- Calf stretch: Stand facing a wall, one foot back, heel pressed down, hold 20 seconds each side.
- Hamstring stretch: Sit on the floor, reach toward toes, hold 20 seconds.
- Hip flexor stretch: Lunge position, knee on the ground, hold 20 seconds each side.
Keep it short. Make it part of the bedtime routine.
Footwear check
Worn-out shoes are a hidden cause of leg pain in active kids. If your child has been wearing the same sneakers all year, replace them. Look for proper arch support and avoid excessively flat soles.
Track the pattern
Keep a simple two-week log:
| Date | Time of Pain | Which Leg | Activity That Day | Dinner |
Patterns often show up that you would not catch otherwise. This is also useful information for any chiropractor or pediatrician you see later.
Other practical tips
- Warm bath, not hot, before bed
- Move sugary foods to earlier in the day for a week and see if anything changes
- Reduce screen time in the last hour before bed (this affects nervous system regulation)
- Make sure your child is getting enough water during the day
When to Book a Consultation
Most parents come to us after one of these three things has happened:
- Episodes have been going on for more than four to six weeks.
- Home remedies are not making a real difference.
- The child is losing sleep regularly, and so is the rest of the family.
If any of those describe your situation, it is worth coming in for an assessment.
We see kids from across the area at our Point Pleasant and Avon by the Sea offices, including families from Toms River, Brick, Manasquan, Sea Girt, and Wall. Dr. Stephanie Wigner is trained in pediatric chiropractic care and works with children from infancy through the teen years.
Growing pains often connect to other postural issues we treat regularly:
- Headaches and migraines in kids
- Tech neck and screen-related posture problems
- Sports-related injuries and recovery
- General pediatric chiropractic care
If your child is dealing with more than one of these, an assessment can connect the dots.
| Book a consultation with Dr. WignerFull assessment, gentle hands-on checks, and a clear plan in plain English. No pressure, no long lectures. |
Final Thoughts
Growing pains are common, and most kids outgrow them. But “common” does not mean you have to just wait it out, especially if your child is losing sleep or the episodes are getting more frequent.
Try the home remedies for two weeks. Track the pattern. Watch for red flags. And if nothing is changing, come in and let us take a look.
Book your child’s first visit or call our Point Pleasant office to speak with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age do growing pains usually start?
Most children experience them between ages 3 to 5, with a second window between 8 and 12. Some kids get them outside these ranges. They typically resolve by the mid-teens.
Are growing pains dangerous?
In almost all cases, no. Classic growing pains are harmless. The exceptions are when red flag symptoms are present, like swelling, fever, limping during the day, or pain in only one leg. Those need a pediatrician’s evaluation.
How is a kids’ chiropractic adjustment different from an adult one?
The pressure is much lighter. The techniques are different. There is no twisting, cracking, or forceful movement. Pediatric chiropractors are trained specifically for working with children.
Will my child be in pain during the visit?
No. Most kids find the visit relaxing. Some fall asleep. We always explain what we are doing first and never proceed if a child is uncomfortable.
How many visits will my child need?
It depends on the child and how long the issue has been going on. Some kids show meaningful change in two or three visits. Others need a longer schedule. We give you an honest estimate after the first visit.
Does insurance cover pediatric chiropractic care?
Many insurance plans cover chiropractic care for children. Coverage varies, so we recommend checking with your provider. Our team can also help you verify benefits before your first visit.
Can chiropractic care prevent growing pains from coming back?
For many kids, yes. Once the underlying postural and nervous system issues are addressed, episodes often become less frequent and less intense. Some kids stop having them entirely. Others benefit from periodic check-ins.
