What Are Growing Pains?
Did you know that "growing pains" is not just an expression? Many people believe growing pains are actual physical pains that growing children typically experience.
As children grow, they sometimes may go through periods during which they have achy legs. These pains commonly strike at night and may make it difficult for kids to sleep.
Some studies suggest that the pain doesn't come from growing at all, but may be related to restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome is a condition that causes leg pain and restlessness at night, usually due to overactivity during the day.
Either way, parents may want to consider a safe, drug-free, non-invasive treatment to help alleviate nighttime leg pains and discomfort. Chiropractic care can help children suffering from growing pains.
Signs and Symptoms of Growing Pains
Growing pains generally strike children between the ages of 3 and 12, and can last up to a couple of years.
Generally, the child will feel soreness or pain in both of their legs at night. The pain may be a deep ache, or it may be throbbing. Most commonly the discomfort is felt in the front of the thighs, behind the knees, or in the calves. Sometimes growing pains are accompanied by abdominal pain or headaches.
Those suffering from restless leg syndrome may additionally experience a lot of leg twitching in the evenings or at night. In addition to pain, there may be a sensation of electric tingles, itching, or crawling on the skin.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Children with Growing Pains?
The spine is essential to the health of the overall body—particularly the musculoskeletal system. When even one vertebra slips slightly out of place, the body unconsciously attempts to compensate by shifting. You and your child may not notice this shifting, but even minute shifting puts strain on joints and muscles going down the back and into the legs.
Chiropractic care is a natural treatment to help keep the spine properly aligned. This helps improved joint motion, coordination, and flexibility. It decreases inflammation and alleviates joint pain.
When the musculoskeletal system is in optimal condition, it helps alleviate symptoms of growing pains and restless leg syndrome.
How We Can Help
Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. This technique is especially well suited for treating children because it does not involve the jarring twists and jerks commonly experienced with traditional chiropractic methods.
The Blair technique relies on advanced technology for superior scans and screening. This allows the doctor to apply more precise, low-force techniques to make corrections.
Dr. Elder's three-step plan for patients starts with 3D diagnostic imaging tools and a thorough health screening. Once the doctor discusses the child's problems and works out a treatment plan with you, the second step involves gentle adjustments to coax the spine back into proper alignment. The final step involves preventative care in the form of regular chiropractic check-ups to prevent the condition from returning.
If your child is suffering from nighttime leg pain, consult your pediatrician and contact Dr. Elder to see if chiropractic care can help. Dr. Elder serves the areas of Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.