| Do you have a child that wakes up screaming in the | | | | also helps to get the mind off the pain they may be |
| middle of the night? Children under the age of ten | | | | feeling and the soreness they will experience will come |
| often experience a condition know as 'growing pains'. | | | | from exercise. |
| Many people do not believe in this mysterious pain, but | | | | - Massage their legs. Another thing you can do to help |
| many others do believe in it. Growing pains are not a | | | | relieve the pain in their legs is to start massaging their |
| disease and right now there is no evidence to support | | | | legs each day before they go to bed. A gentle |
| the fact that some people say their children are | | | | massage is a great way to reassure them that you |
| experiencing these pains. Do not just brush your child | | | | are always going to be there for them and you will try |
| off when they are complaining about them, however. | | | | to take away their pain. |
| Simply comforting them and doing little things like | | | | - Hold them. Sometimes children just need to be held. |
| massaging their legs or putting heat packs on their legs | | | | While they aren't babies anymore, having a little time to |
| may be all they need to soothe the pain. | | | | cuddle up in your arms is a reassuring way to show |
| By the time children reach their teenage years, the | | | | them you care. |
| growing pains typically stop. It is important to recognize | | | | - Stretching. Another great way to relieve the pain in |
| that not every child will experience this phenomenon. | | | | the legs is to teach your children how to stretch their |
| However, sometimes growing pains are evidence of | | | | legs. Stretching helps to keep the muscles limber and |
| another underlying condition that is quite serious. | | | | loose, allowing them to experience less pain when they |
| What are growing pains? | | | | are exercising. Make stretching part of your daily |
| Growing pains normally reside in the legs and they | | | | routine and encourage your children to stretch with |
| cause the legs to throb and ache. Some children | | | | you each morning and each evening before bedtime. |
| describe them as cramping in the legs similar to the | | | | - Warm bath. Laying in a warm bath can relieve |
| pain you experience from tight muscles or a 'Charlie | | | | muscle pain. Heat is a great way to soothe sore |
| horse.' The pain typically happens in both legs and it | | | | muscles. Use a heating pad if they wake up in the |
| can be intense, causing the child to wake up crying in | | | | middle of the night with growing pains. Just make sure |
| the middle of the night. Headaches and abdominal | | | | you turn it off once your child falls asleep. |
| cramping often are part of the pain they experience | | | | - Pain relievers. If nothing else seems to work, try using |
| with the leg pains. The pain occurs in the middle of the | | | | a mild pain reliever. Tylenol is a great pain reliever for |
| night or in the early evening. | | | | muscle pain. |
| How to treat growing pains | | | | Should you consult a doctor? |
| Although many people do not believe that growing | | | | If your child has persistent pain and it lasts longer than |
| pains exist, they are very real to children that have a | | | | 24 hours, see a doctor. There may be a serious |
| mysterious pain in their legs. Parents can treat this | | | | problem. Always see a doctor if the pain is caused |
| condition by doing the following: | | | | from an injury like a fall on the playground. Swelling, |
| - Exercise. One of the best ways to help relieve the | | | | redness, tenderness, limping, and other signs are |
| pain in the legs is to encourage exercise. Make sure | | | | symptoms of a serious condition and you should seek |
| your children are getting plenty of exercise each day in | | | | medical attention. |
| order to keep the body growing properly. Exercise | | | | |