Many children experience growing pains, especially in the legs. As a mother of four, I’ve had my share of dealing with these aches and pains. My youngest, at 8 years old, has recently experienced this. If you’d rather not resort to over-the-counter pain relievers, you can try other home remedies for growing pains.
Validate Your Child’s Feelings about Growing Pains
Don’t just tell your child that he or she must be having growing pains and they’ll go away soon. Sometimes a little attention will go a long way toward easing milder pains. Acknowledge that your child is experiencing this pain and offer some snuggle time. Cuddling and reassurance is the simplest home remedy for growing pains.
Massage for Growing Pains
Gentle rubbing of the affected area can relax the muscles and ease some of the growing pains your child is feeling. Don’t rub for too long or too hard, as this may cause irritation or further pain.
Heat as a Home Remedy for Growing Pains
Some people prefer moist heat over a heating pad, but any type of gentle heat can reduce the discomfort of growing pains.
Moist Heat. This can be as simple as having your child take a warm bath. Adding Epsom’s Salts to your child’s bathwater can have a soothing effect. A hot water bottle placed on the painful area can also work, but be sure to cover the hot water bottle with a towel or other fabric to protect your child’s skin. A wrung-out, hot, wet washcloth can work for small areas, but don’t make it too hot.
Dry Heat. A heating pad can be used to alleviate growing pains. Be sure to keep your child’s skin protected if the pad gets hot. If you don’t have a heating pad, you can use a towel. The towel can be heated in the dryer or with an iron. Again, be sure it’s not too hot. You can either fold the towel and place it over the area affected by growing pains or you can wrap it.
Leg Stretches
Sometimes growing pains can be brought on by too much physical activity during the day. There are two good stretches your child can do.
First, have your child sit with legs out together in front. Then have your child flex the toes toward the body and hold a few seconds. After that, your child should switch and point the toes away from the body, holding that pose a few seconds.
The second exercise involves your child sitting with legs out in front and spread apart. Have your child lean forward gently to one leg and hold. Then repeat with the other side. In this exercise, the child doesn’t have to lean down very far, you just want a gentle stretch.
How to Know if Your Child Is Having Growing Pains
For a more complete description of growing pains, and when to see the doctor is examined in an article by Kristie Leong M.D., What Are Growing Pains in Children and Can They Be Serious?1
Home Remedies Are the Best Choice for Growing Pains
Growing pains can be severe for some children. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken if necessary, in a dose recommended by your child’s doctor. However, these other home remedies for growing pains can be just as effective for most children.
1) Kristie Leong M.D.; What Are Growing Pains and Can They Be Serious?: Associated Content
