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What we’ll cover
  1. What are growing pains?
  2. What common growing pains can occur?
  3. Osgood Schlatters
  4. Severs disease
  5. Shin splints
  6. What are the symptoms of growing pain?
  7. Should my child stop sport due to growing pains?
  8. How do physiotherapists assess growing pains?
  9. Physiotherapy treatment of growing pains

Growing pains – how can physio help?

Does your child experience growing pains?  Throughout the year we constantly see sporting fields and parks inundated with children.  It is not uncommon for children to go from one sporting season to the next, or even do multiple sports within the one season.  With such an active younger population, Malvern East Physiotherapy regularly sees children with growing related pains.  

growing pains

What are growing pains?

The underlying cause of pain is muscular.  During periods of sudden growth or increased activity, your child may complain of pain in the legs.  As bones develop and grow faster than muscle, muscles are placed under increased stretch and tension resulting in pull on the bones.

Physiotherapy has been proven to be effective in decreasing pain quickly and speeding up the recovery process through a combination of hands on therapy and simple exercises.  Early physiotherapy intervention will prevent your child developing postural changes, muscle weaknesses and imbalances, or altered technique associated with pain.

What common growing pains can occur?

Growing pains that we commonly see at Malvern East Physiotherapy include:

Osgood Schlatters

Pain is located just below the knee.  It commonly occurs as the quadricep muscle pulls on the insertion below the knee cap.

Severs disease

Pain in the heel where the achilles attaches to the bone.  Muscle tension and inflexibility of the calf results in inflammation and irritation of the bone.

Shin splints

Not isolated to the younger population but pain can be located on either side of the shin depending on which muscle groups have been affected.

What are the symptoms of growing pain?

Growing pains can vary in presentation.  Commonly, there may  be a rapid period of growth in conjunction with the development of pain.  Sudden increases in activity can also contribute to episodes of growing pain.

Symptoms of growing pain can include:

  • Local pain around muscle attachment points around the knee, shins or heel
  • Pain during activity
  • Pain may decrease as your child “warms up”
  • Limping during activity or for periods following activity
  • An ache or burning pain
  • Can include night pain

Should my child stop sport due to growing pains?

Children can often continue with their chosen sporting activities.  Your physiotherapist can assist to find a level of activity that doesn’t aggravate or increase symptoms.  This may include modifying training to include more skill based activities that do not involve as much running.  Should sport or other activities increase symptoms, ice can be used afterwards to reduce pain.
In severe cases, your physiotherapist may encourage periods of rest from sport.  During this period, cross training or participating in alternate activities can be encouraged.  These cross training activities may include swimming or cycling.

How do physiotherapists assess growing pains?

Our team at Malvern East Physiotherapy sees a range of growing related pains.  Our physiotherapists will thoroughly assess joint range of motion, flexibility, strength and physical tests of surrounding structures.  In addition, our team will also assess your child’s posture, technique and biomechanics in order to identify if these factors affect symptoms.

Medical imaging is rarely required for the diagnosis of growing pains.

Physiotherapy treatment of growing pains

Once your physiotherapist has diagnosed growing pains, a range of treatment strategies can be implemented.  The initial aim of physiotherapy is to reduce pain by reducing inflammation and improving muscle flexibility.  This may include soft tissue work and stretching to lengthen tight muscles.  Mobilisation of stiff joints may also be necessary if contributing to reduced flexibility.

A simple home exercise of stretching and strengthening will also be implemented.  These exercises can be incorporated into existing sport or daily tasks such as stretching whilst brushing teeth.

Strengthening the core and stability muscles can also be important especially if growing pains are related to biomechanics or technique issues.

If you think your child may be experiencing growing pains, book today for your initial assessment by calling 9571 6888 or online.


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Last week our team celebrated another great year. 

Whilst Melbourne’s weather had its own plans, we were still determined to keep with the theme of ‘Italian Summer’. We let our hair down to master the art of mixology 🍸🍹followed by an Italian feast. Friday morning Run Club with the team. Practicing what we preach!

Staying stronger, healthier and happier. This time last week, our team was nervously completing their final preparations for @melbmara . 

Congratulations to our physiotherapists and ME community who ran on the day.

Dilen and Michael completed their first marathons. Abbey and Lizzie smashed out their first half. Last Sunday, our team headed down to see our own Matt Warren win a premiership in the VAFA Premier Men’s Competition. Last week our team dedicated a full day to professional development and team building. At ME Physio we pride ourselves on collaboration to put you at the centre of everything we do. 

Our team covered the latest treatments for back pain, financial well-being and finished off the day with salsa dancing. 

Many thanks to our guests including James Schomburgk from @the2ndvisitphysio , Financial Planners Tony Vikram & Cameron Bishop and the @salsafoundation At ME Physio, our focus is on helping you get stronger so that you can keep doing the things you love.

For Tony and Joan, healthier and stronger is being able to navigate the iconic Coast to Coast Walk in the UK! We recently had the pleasure of hosting Elise Bujor from Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy to discuss women’s health issues across the lifespan. 

Our team pride themselves on staying up to date to ensure you’re able to stay healthier, happier and stronger. Huge milestones over the past few weeks with both Tom and Jude from @delasallefc doing their first bit of running in their rehab. 

Tom is on the return from an ankle dislocation whilst Jude is putting in the hard work following a knee reconstruction. Last week our team enjoyed some friendly rivalry at the footy. 

With finals around the corner, some of our team can now safely make holidays plans for September. We recently had the pleasure of hosting the podiatry team from @sespodiatry. 

Our physiotherapists Michael and Abbey presented on rehabilitation following Achilles surgical repair and ankle surgery. Last weekend some of our team got together to complete the 10 km run @runmelbourne. There was no finish line picture as some were keen to run another 15 km!

Whilst running wasn’t for some - brunch was well received by everyone. Shoulder impingement can be incredibly frustrating and painful. 

Tony has been working closely with our physiotherapists Vernon and Dilen to get on top of his shoulder pain. His treatment plan has included hands-on physiotherapy and individualised exercises in our hydrotherapy and strength programs.

You Deserve to Feel Good.

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