Is growing taller painful? Uncovering the "little episodes" in the process of children growing taller →

Spring is the season of revival and the "golden period" for children's growth and development. With longer sunshine hours and more outdoor activities, children's growth hormone secretion is vigorous and bone growth is accelerated. However, during this period of rapid growth, many children will experience a special pain - growing pains .

Faced with this "sweet trouble", how should parents deal with it scientifically? Let's take a look~

What are growing pains

Growing pains are common in children during their growth and development period. They usually occur in children aged 3-12 years old and are characterized by intermittent pain in the lower limbs (calves, thighs, or around the knees), especially in the evening or at night, but the child will be able to move normally the next day.

Typical features:

No redness, swelling, heat or pain : There is no swelling, heat or tenderness in the painful area.

Transient attacks : A single episode of pain lasts from a few minutes to a few hours and may recur for weeks or months.

Not activity related : The pain is not caused by trauma or excessive movement.

Note: If your child has red and swollen joints, persistent fever, limited daytime activity, or unilateral limb pain, he or she should seek medical attention promptly to rule out arthritis, fractures, or other diseases.

Why is spring the golden growing season?

As mentioned above, spring is the golden period for children’s growth. The main reasons are:

Adequate sunshine : The ultraviolet rays in the spring sunshine promote the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin, help calcium absorption, and promote bone growth.

Active hormone secretion : Warm climate and moderate exercise stimulate the secretion of growth hormone, which reaches its peak during deep sleep at night.

Active nutritional metabolism : Metabolism speeds up in spring, children's appetite improves, and nutrient absorption efficiency is higher.

How should parents deal with children's growing pains?

1. Scientific distinction to avoid misjudgment

Observe the pain pattern: Growing pains are usually symmetrical (occur in both legs at the same time) and do not affect daily activities.

Record accompanying symptoms: If accompanied by fever, rash, lameness, etc., seek medical attention promptly to rule out other diseases.

2. Practical ways to relieve pain

Hot compress massage: Use a warm towel to apply heat to the painful area, or gently massage the muscles to promote local blood circulation.

Moderate stretching: Guide your child to do simple stretching exercises (such as sit-up forward bends) before going to bed to relax their muscles.

Supplement nutrition: Increase foods rich in calcium (milk, soy products), magnesium (nuts, dark green vegetables) and vitamin C (citrus fruits) to help muscle relaxation and bone health.

3. Adjust your lifestyle

Avoid excessive exercise: Vigorous exercise may aggravate muscle fatigue. It is recommended to choose exercises that put less pressure on joints, such as swimming and skipping rope.

Ensure adequate sleep: School-age children need to sleep 9-11 hours a day to promote the secretion of growth hormone.

Psychological comfort: Use storytelling, hugging, etc. to relieve children's tension about pain and avoid anxiety affecting sleep.

What can parents do during the critical period of growth?

Balanced diet: consume high-quality protein (fish, eggs, lean meat), multiple vitamins and minerals every day, and avoid high-sugar and high-fat snacks that affect calcium absorption.

One hour of outdoor activities every day: Jumping sports in the sun (playing basketball, high jump) can stimulate the growth of epiphyseal plates.

Monitor height regularly: measure height once a month and record the growth curve. If the annual growth is less than 5 cm, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician.

Do growing pains require treatment?

Growing pains are a benign physiological phenomenon and usually do not require drug intervention. However, if the pain frequently affects sleep, you can use children's special painkillers (such as ibuprofen) under the guidance of a doctor. Do not take medicine on your own. Most children's growing pains will disappear naturally as they grow older.

Finally, growing pains are just a "small episode" in the process of children's growth, and parents do not need to be overly anxious. Through scientific care, a reasonable diet and a regular schedule, not only can the child's discomfort be relieved, but also the golden period of growth in spring can be seized to lay a solid foundation for the child's healthy development.

Remember: love and patience are the best medicine to accompany your children's growth.

Warm reminder: If your child's pain continues to worsen or is accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, please seek medical attention promptly to ensure early detection and early intervention.