From the Research
The recommended management for growing pains in children includes reassurance, comfort measures, and pain relief as needed, with a focus on non-pharmacological interventions such as massage, heat application, and stretching exercises, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1. The management of growing pains in children should prioritize reassurance and comfort measures, as these pains are benign, self-limiting, and not actually related to growth. Some key points to consider in the management of growing pains include:
- Reassurance for parents that growing pains are a common and harmless condition
- Comfort measures such as gentle massage, heat application, and stretching exercises for the affected muscles (typically legs) to help relieve discomfort
- Use of over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen when pain is significant, with dosages of 10-15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours for acetaminophen and 5-10 mg/kg every 6-8 hours with food for ibuprofen
- Maintenance of normal physical activity, as growing pains do not cause long-term damage
- Monitoring for symptoms that may indicate conditions requiring different treatment, such as severe or persistent pain, limping, localized joint pain, fever, redness, swelling, or interference with normal activities The most recent and highest quality study 1 supports the use of non-pharmacological interventions, such as relaxation training and biofeedback, in reducing recurrent headache and pain intensity in children and adolescents. Additionally, other studies 2, 3, 4, 5 provide further guidance on the diagnosis and management of growing pains, emphasizing the importance of a thorough patient history and physical examination, and the use of symptomatic pain medications and supportive measures until the syndrome self-resolves with time.