Kids don't grow at a constant rate. As you may have recalled from your own childhood, kids alternate between weeks or months of slow growth and the occasional "growth spurt". While this can be difficult to predict, these tend to occur more in the spring.
Other major trends in growth spurts are the major growth spurts from age 8 to 13 for most girls and the growth spurts from age 10 to 15 for most boys. Of course, the biggest growth spurt by far is the one at the first year of your life. You can expect a baby to grow roughly 10 inches before its first birthday.
More information on how kids grow in KidsHealth.
Growing Pains
Growing pains occur during the very active years of adolescence. Jolts, twists and stresses of energetic play can result in subluxations (misalignments) in the spine, which affect the nerves controlling the legs, knees, pelvis and hips. All of these nerve problems can manifest themselves in leg pain. Studies into growing pains have identified a number of conditions that may contribute to growing pains, including rapid growth, overexertion, rheumatic conditions, infections, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, orthopaedic problems and underlying poor health [1].
If your child has been diagnosed with growing pains, it is recommended that they visit a chiropractor. A physical assessment can ensure that any leg and back pains are not the result of underlying spinal problems such as scoliosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine away from the normal accepted curves of the spine.
This causes strain on joints and if these spinal misalignments are left untreated can lead to premature degeneration, bad posture and gait (walking), painful movement and permanent spinal distortion. Children tend to experience more incidents of back pain than older generations although not as many children undergo treatment for these complaints. Around 84% of back complaints in children extend into adulthood and become a chronic problem.
Treatment in the early stages as a child has greater improvement in pain and mobility than if the problem becomes chronic into adulthood. Children have faster healing capabilities and more mobility and flexibility in the joints to accommodate this. It is also important for children to maintain their flexibility during growth spurts. The chiropractor at Back on Track Chiropractic can recommend appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises to reduce overall muscle tension. This will allow children to perform in regular childhood activities free of pain and tension.
Chiropractic is a safe and natural way to easy the pain and discomfort associated with growing pains.
1. "Growing pains" in young children: A study of the profile, experiences and quality of life issues of four to six year old children with recurrent leg pain A. Evans, S. Scutter, L. Lang, B. Dansie 16(3), 120-124
If your child has been diagnosed with growing pains, it is recommended that they visit a chiropractor. A physical assessment can ensure that any leg and back pains are not the result of underlying spinal problems such as scoliosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine away from the normal accepted curves of the spine.
This causes strain on joints and if these spinal misalignments are left untreated can lead to premature degeneration, bad posture and gait (walking), painful movement and permanent spinal distortion. Children tend to experience more incidents of back pain than older generations although not as many children undergo treatment for these complaints. Around 84% of back complaints in children extend into adulthood and become a chronic problem.
Treatment in the early stages as a child has greater improvement in pain and mobility than if the problem becomes chronic into adulthood. Children have faster healing capabilities and more mobility and flexibility in the joints to accommodate this. It is also important for children to maintain their flexibility during growth spurts. The chiropractor at Back on Track Chiropractic can recommend appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises to reduce overall muscle tension. This will allow children to perform in regular childhood activities free of pain and tension.
Chiropractic is a safe and natural way to easy the pain and discomfort associated with growing pains.
1. "Growing pains" in young children: A study of the profile, experiences and quality of life issues of four to six year old children with recurrent leg pain A. Evans, S. Scutter, L. Lang, B. Dansie 16(3), 120-124
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