Chiropractic Care for Growing Pains in Children
As much as we want our children to stay little forever, the truth is that they grow up quickly. Not only is their growing up painful for us, parents, but it is painful to them too. I am talking about growing pains. If you have ever had your child wake up in the middle on the night with leg cramps, then you know what I am talking about.
Growing pains can happen in a child from ages 2-12. The pains then usually disappear before puberty hits. There are many possible causes of the pain, such as overusing the muscle or a misalignment of the joints. WellAdjustedBabies.com says, “Growing pains are a significant cause of childhood discomfort and for the ease and comfort of all involved (both the distressed child and the weary, tired parents).”
If you want to bring relief to your child, start with the possible causes of your child’s growing pains. Make sure their shoes are the right size and are not too worn. Provide them with a varied diet with the right amount of water. All kids need to stay hydrated and get their daily dose of vitamins. A vitamin deficiency can definitely be the cause of the frequent pain.
Finally, the growing pains could be caused by a subluxation, or misalignment. Misalignments of the spine can be caused by a number of things, such as sitting too long (definitely plausible for school children or inactive children), a minor injury, such as a fall, being involved with sports, or even carrying too heavy of a school backpack.
Whatever the cause may be of your child’s growing pains, a chiropractor can help. A chiropractor can gently realign your child’s spine and look for any misalignments. If misalignments are the cause of your child’s growing pains and leg cramps, you should see improvement right away. The spine has a very important relationship with the leg and pelvic bones, that is why if there is misalignment of the spine, there can also be pain in the hips and legs. It is wise to make regular visits to the chiropractor to keep your child well adjusted and pain free.
If at any point the growing pains or leg cramps are unbearable for your child or present signs that seem abnormal, such as swelling, please contact your child’s primary physician immediately.
Don’t let your child’s growing pains and leg cramps ruin a good night’s sleep for you or your child. Remember, a chiropractor does not just treat one problem, but instead aims to promote overall health in your child. This is why it is important to make the chiropractor an important factor in your child’s health routine.