"growing pains"

[Pauly]

I have a new client - an 11 year old girl who has progressed to the national junior team in the high jump and has suddenly developed growing pains.

This has been diagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon, biokeneticist and a whole host of other medical professionals. She has had every type of diagnostic test in the book - there is no structural damage at all. She compains of aching knees and quads.

Any ideas on treatment in this case? The only literature I have found emphasises regular massage, heat, painkillers and stretching....

I would appreciate any advice!!!

 

[HALOW]

My 7 yr old who is growing like a weed gets "growing pains", complians of knee and groin area pain. I have him sit in a warm tub then gently work him out.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thanks for the reply! I recommended that she should have warm baths in the evenings.... my gut feeling told me that this would help.

any other suggestions? what about taking zinc,magnesium,calcium supplments as with restless legs... ? its a long shot but I think it might be worth a try?

 

[sgtslick321]

If I remember correctly, my understanding from my college A&P class last year, is that the bones are growing quicker than the muscles, tens and lig. putting pressures on the joints. Knees are the biggest issue.

 

[ngantuk99]

yes thats how i understand it to. the 'long bones' grow too fast for the muscles to adapt accordingly. its apparently the muscles causing the pain and not the bones/cartilage.

 

[tlk2ul8r]

Let me know if you come up with anything else. Always looking for somthing new to help my lil man.

 

[Erick28]

"growing pains"

Hi

Since I had been Massage my 'growing pains' client some exciting things have happened!

She used to have pain everyday, which prevented her for participating in any form of sport. She had trouble walking to catch the school bus and also could walk for any length of time without severe pain.

Now, she is playing sport at school, walking, running, swimming, jumping and is only experiencing pain 1 day our of 7.
She no longer takes painkillers either.



My treatment program was as follow:

- she kept a diary every day with entries about what she had done for pain relief and what activites she did on the day. I wanted her to feel that she had more control over the situation and the diary would also give my valuable insight into the dynamics of her situation.

- initially she received massage every 5 days, then every 7 days and then every 2 weeks.

- she did a stretching program which i developed for her. initially every day and then slowly decreasing down to 2 to 3 times a week.

- she had warm baths every evening, slept for a warm pack on her quads.

- before sport she would take care to warm up very, very well and very slowly.

- massage was to all muscle groups of the legs and incorporated resisted stretching.

- i sent her to a podiarist for inserts for her shoes to address her slight pronation.


I am really happy with the result. The little girl is much more positive and her parents are thrilled too!

 

[morris994]

"growing pains"

Congrats to you living_ the_ dream & to your young client! That type of success is exactly why this is such a great field to be a part of

For her & future clients too, you may want to look up info on Active Isolated Stretching (stretchingusa.com) by Aaron Mattes, he is the developer/originator of this particular technique & an amazing instructor who has worked with Olympic level & Pro athletes, as well as everyday people who have problems such as you've described, been in accidents or had strokes, etc. Besides that Structural Integration, & Myofascial work are all helpful in working with anyone who needs to clear out restrictions in the tissues for more range of movement, & to increase their ability to perform in general.

 

[alexapretty]

"growing pains"

Active Isolated Stretching is very helpful for growing pains. As a competitive athlete, this young girl probably has muscles that are somewhat chronically tight due to the demands of practice. Add growing bones and you've got a recipe for pain. Getting those active muscles to relax and lengthen will help reduce her pain and probably improve her sports performance as well.

You can find Mattes-recommended AIS practitioners via the locator on http://www.StretchingUSA.com

Hope that helps!

 

[Demonen]

"growing pains"

There isn't actually any scientific data to support the belief that the bones are growing too fast or that the pains have anything to do with growing in general. This is a really good article that combines all the other info I found in medical articles on the net. As originally stated, massage, heat, tylenol (or the like), and stretching are indicated and helpful in relieving the pain from over activity.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/growing_pains.html#