Growing pains

Growing pains usually occur in younger children, approximately age 3-5 years of age, but also may occur again in the 8-10 year age range. It refers to pain in the limbs and joints (especially the legs) of children. Growing pains, while associated with physical discomfort, are not harmful nor are they reflective of a disease process. They last a few minutes and are not generally associated with growing or growth spurts. These pains may actually wake the child from sleep, but in contrast to disease processes or abnormal signs, growing pains are usually soothed by touch or massage (whereas pain resulting from a disease state is often unaffected or worsened).