Why does growing hurt even though it doesn't?

So-called growing pains are a very common reason why children present to the practice. The term "growing pains" is actually a misnomer, as we know that growing in itself does not hurt. What we don't know is why so many children of nursery and primary school age repeatedly complain of unclear pain in their legs, and sometimes also in their arms

Well, we don't know either.

And to make it clear what it's all about, we'll continue to talk about growing pains. The important thing is: as a parent, how do I know if the pain is harmless? This is usually easy to recognise. Classic growing pains usually occur in the evening or at night - and the next day everything is over again. The pain is also diffuse. It is sometimes there and sometimes gone, sometimes on the top left, sometimes on the bottom right.

What else is important: See a doctor relatively quickly if your child complains of pain that always occurs in the same place. So if pain occurs permanently and only in the right knee, for example, then please do not wait a few weeks, but have the child examined.

And what can you do about growing pains? Not much. If you know that it is harmless, a little attention and/or a massage can help, perhaps with a normal care cream as a placebo painkiller. If the pain is really severe, then you can also give a painkiller, which the child is entitled to.

As is so often the case, the best news is that it gets better over time. The pain usually stops towards the end of primary school - the problem literally grows away.