Growing pains

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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

You can help ease your child's discomfort with these home remedies:

  • Rub your child's legs. Some children respond to gentle massage. Others feel better when they're held or cuddled.
  • Stretch your child's legs. You might make it a habit during the day and again before bedtime.
  • Use a heating pad. Heat can help soothe sore muscles. Use a heating pad on a low setting before bedtime or when your child complains of leg pain. Remove the heating pad once your child falls asleep. A warm bath before bedtime may help, too.
  • Try a pain reliever. Offer your child ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Avoid aspirin, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome — a rare, but serious condition linked to giving aspirin to children.

It may also help to simply offer your support. Remind your child that growing pains won't last forever.

References
  1. Lehman TJA, et al. Growing pains. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 15, 2008.
  2. Restless legs syndrome fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/restless_legs/detail_restless_legs.htm?css=print. Accessed Aug. 15, 2008.
  3. Stewart ST. Orthopedic injuries and growing pains. In: Berkowtiz CD. Berkowitz's Pediatrics: A Primary Care Approach. 3rd ed. Washington, D.C.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2008:547-553.

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Nov. 11, 2008

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