Growing pains

The symptoms of growing pains can come and go over months, even years.

The pain is usually:

• an aching or throbbing in both legs
• in the muscles or joints of both legs
• in the evening or night-time (and goes away by morning)

• gently massage your child's legs

• put a covered hot water bottle or heat pack on the painful area

• give children's ibuprofen or paracetamol to ease the pain

• do not give aspirin to a child under the age of 16 unless a doctor prescribes it

• has pain in 1 leg
• has leg pain in the morning, or when walking or taking part in activities
• has leg pain that's bad enough to stop them walking or makes them limp
• has pain in 1 joint, such as their knee or ankle
• has a rash, swelling or unusual bruising on the legs
• has leg pain and a high temperature
• feels unusually tired or sleepy a lot of the time
• does not want to eat or is losing weight

It's not known what causes growing pains.

It's not caused by growing and is not a sign of anything serious.

Growing pains are more common in active children and can happen after playing lots of sport.

It's also common in children with very flexible joints (joint hypermobility syndrome).

The main symptom of growing pains is aching in the legs. It's usually felt in both legs and tends to happen in the evening or at night.

There are some things you can do to ease the symptoms of growing pains, such as massaging the legs, using a hot water bottle and giving painkillers.

It's not known what causes growing pains but it's not caused by growing. It's more common in children who are active or have hypermobile joints.