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If you spend some time around kids, you might hear them complain of aches and pains specifically focused around their legs. The common term for this is “growing pains,” which can be attributed to kids anywhere from age two through teenagehood. Although “growing pains” isn’t a proper medical term and cannot be officially diagnosed at the pediatrician, up to 35% of all children will complain of this limb pain at some point.

Despite these aches usually occurring during active growth states, medical professionals find that they are more likely to be caused by a variety of things, such as possible restless leg syndrome, muscle injury and fatigue, or even juvenile arthritis. Do you know or have a child stricken with growing pains? Here are a few ways to relieve the discomfort.

Leg Stretches or Yoga

Simple and easy stretches are a great way to warm the body up before any physical activity, or anytime your kid’s muscles feel tight or tired. Leg stretches and yoga poses, such as Child’s Pose, calf stretches, and hamstring stretches, can help ease achy muscles and get rid of some of that pesky growing pain.

Child’s Pose

Kneel down with your toes touching and knees apart. Slowly lean toward the ground until your head is resting on the ground in front of you and your hips sink down. This is Child’s Pose, and it helps relax the body and mind while passively stretching the torso and limbs.

Calf Stretches

In order to properly stretch the calf – one of the main areas of issue when it comes to growing pains – stand approximately two feet away from a wall and put your hands against the wall at shoulder height. Step toward the wall with your left foot while keeping your right food straight. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds and repeat on the other side.

Hamstring Stretches

Another excellent leg stretch for kids is a hamstring stretch. In a seated position, stretch your legs out in front of you. Bend the left leg and place your foot onto your right inner thigh. Reach forward toward the toes of your right foot until you feel a good stretch.

[Related: Yoga Poses to Combat Neck Pain]

Epsom Salt Bath

A warm bath before bed with Epsom salts can really help soothe your child’s aches and pains. Epsom salts release magnesium and can help sooth muscles, joints, and bones while encouraging healthy sleep. Add a couple of cups of Epsom salts to a warm bath during your child’s nighttime routine.

Heating Pad

Using a microwavable heating pad on sore muscles or joints, such as the legs, is a surefire way to provide some relief. Heating pads for children come in all sorts of comforting styles and shapes, including teddy bears and blankets, so the use of one while watching television or reading a book won’t seem so inhibiting to an antsy kid. 

Mindful Exercise

A lot of the time, growing pains are due to muscle fatigue in an overactive child. When your kid exercises and plays, be mindful of how they exert themselves and know when it’s time for a break, or when to get to bed for a good night’s sleep.

Consider a Visit to the Chiropractor

Finally, if your child’s aches and pains persist, you may want to schedule them an appointment with a chiropractor. Chiropractic care is a natural way to ease your child’s physical pain while promoting spinal health and good posture habits for their future. Regular visits to the chiropractor may also encourage deeper sleep, calm and prevent sports injuries, and even assist in allergy and chronic headache healing.

If you have any questions about how to soothe your child’s pain during their active growth period, or if you’d like to set up a consultation or appointment, contact Spencer Chiropractic Center today!

While chiropractic care might be the best option for you to combat chronic back and neck pain and keep your musculoskeletal system in top condition, here are three other methods of care that could be additional forms of treatment for you.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy focuses on the body’s soft tissues through warming and loosening the body’s tendons and muscles that protect the joints and bones. Massage, especially deep tissue massage, has been proven to lower blood pressure.

Massage can also increase blood flow and positively affect connective tissues by reducing scar tissue and mineral retention, which will help promote efficient healing after injury. Additionally, massage relaxes the senses, which will assist you in forming a stronger connection between your body and mind.

By manipulating and warming the soft tissue around your musculoskeletal system, massage loosens your joints and bones, making your chiropractic session more beneficial. Stiff joints, especially during the winter, could greatly benefit from a massage session.

Infrared Sauna Therapy

Infrared saunas use heaters to emit infrared light as radiant heat. While regular saunas heat the air around you, infrared saunas heat your body directly.  Studies show that infrared sauna therapy provides a variety of benefits, such as clear skin, detoxification, tension relief, low blood pressure, and relaxation.

Sauna therapy can be a perfect treatment for chronic aches and pains, as it decreases inflammation by improving muscle relaxation and circulation. When your body’s core temperature rises, your blood flow increases, and this in turn promotes muscle recovery and decreases pain.

Similar to massage, regular visits to an infrared sauna can assist in warming and loosening stiff joints and muscles, preparing you for a more beneficial chiropractic adjustment session.

Yoga

Enrolling in regular yoga classes or performing a morning sun salutation each day can drastically improve your health and wellness. Yoga is an ancient practice that focuses on steady breathing, meditation, core muscle control, and flexibility through a variety of different poses, depending on your class.

Low-impact poses done over time can alleviate stress, lower blood pressure, and heal chronic aches and pains, particularly in your neck and back. Paired with chiropractic sessions, yoga can improve your flexibility and range of motion, leaving you stronger (and more relaxed) than ever before.

When looking for a method of healing chronic aches and pains, don’t fall under the impression that a visit to the chiropractor is the sole solution. Your body will benefit most if you opt for a combination of healing methods that work for you, and let each unique practice lift the others up and heal you more quickly and holistically. Remember to consult your doctor when starting a new health or exercise regimen.

Visit Spencer Chiropractic Center today to find out more about chronic pain treatments, or check out our website to learn more about chiropractic benefits.