{"id":18995,"date":"2025-04-01T15:00:40","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T20:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=18995"},"modified":"2026-03-06T15:29:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T21:29:51","slug":"growing-up-can-be-a-pain-are-growing-pains-real","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/growing-up-can-be-a-pain-are-growing-pains-real\/","title":{"rendered":"Growing up can be a pain: Are growing pains real?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever woken up to your child complaining about their aching legs in the middle of the night, they might have experienced what many refer to as growing pains. But are these common aches and pains actually related to growth?<\/p>\n

Mohammad Soud, MD<\/a>,\u00a0a pediatrician at OSF HealthCare, explains what growing pains are, why they happen and how you can help your child navigate these common discomforts.<\/p>\n

What are growing pains?<\/h2>\n

Growing pains are very common in kids. They refer to muscle aches and discomfort, typically in the legs, as children grow.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrowing pains are actually not linked to bone growth,\u201d says Dr. Soud. \u201cAs your child\u2019s body grows and develops, their muscles and tendons stretch, which is what the term growing pains refers to.\u201d<\/p>\n

What causes growing pains?<\/h2>\n

While the exact cause of growing pains isn\u2019t fully understood, there are a variety of factors that may play a role.<\/p>\n

\u201cIncreased physical activity can put a lot of strain on your child\u2019s muscles,\u201d says Dr. Soud. \u201cAlso, muscles and bones can grow at different rates, which can lead to muscles stretching around the bone, causing fatigue and discomfort.\u201d<\/p>\n

In some cases, low vitamin D can also contribute to growing pains.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudies suggest that kids with low vitamin D may experience muscle pain and weakness which may resemble or add up to the discomfort of growing pains,\u201d says Dr. Soud. \u201cKids can get vitamin D through exposure to sunlight or food sources, like eggs or fortified cereals.\u201d<\/p>\n

What do growing pains feel like?<\/h2>\n

Growing pains typically feel like a dull aching or throbbing sensation in the muscles.<\/p>\n

Growing pains often occur in the legs, particularly in the calves, shins, thighs and behind the knees. Some kids may feel growing pains in their feet or knee joints.<\/p>\n

The pain can affect both legs at the same time, or one side might hurt more than another.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pain most often occurs in the evening and overnight, especially after an active day, and can cause children to wake up in the night feeling sore,\u201d says Dr. Soud.<\/p>\n

How long do growing pains last?<\/h2>\n

Growing pains are temporary and often come in episodes that can last from a few minutes to a few hours. How often this happens can vary widely, depending on the child.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne study showed that 43% of children may experience these pains once a week,\u201d says Dr. Soud. \u201cOther kids can experience pain-free periods lasting from days to months. In severe cases, pain can occur daily in some children.\u201d<\/p>\n

In most cases, your child’s growing pains will happen less often and be less painful as they get older.<\/p>\n

What age do growing pains start?<\/h2>\n

It’s not common for newborns or infants to have growing pains. If they’re experiencing pain, it’s probably from another cause.<\/p>\n

Growing pains can start in the preschool years – between the ages of 3-5. They can continue until age 12.<\/p>\n

Growing pains generally peak between the ages of 8-12.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn those peak years, kids more often experience growth spurts<\/a> caused by the muscles and bones growing at different rates,\u201d says Dr. Soud. \u201cHowever, it\u2019s not uncommon for kids to experience leg or knee pain as they transition to growing teenagers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Growing Pains Treatment Options<\/h2>\n

While it isn\u2019t possible to stop growing pains from happening, the good news is the pain is temporary and usually resolves on its own without treatment.<\/p>\n

However, there are several ways to relieve growing pains in your child\u2019s legs and make them more comfortable, especially at night. These remedies include:<\/p>\n