Question
After returning from outdoor activities, children often complain of knee pain at night, pain so severe that it’s hard to fall asleep. Could this be growth pains? Can growth pains cause such intense pain?
Answer
Growth pains are intermittent, non-specific lower limb pain that occurs during a child’s growth period and usually resolves on its own. Clinical manifestations are often muscle pain in the lower limbs, which typically occurs at night. Growth pains are a type of muscular pain and usually do not require special treatment. During an attack, reduce activity and use regional massage and heat therapy to alleviate the pain. Provide psychological care and a sense of security to the child. Family members can use a hot towel to massage or apply heat to the child’s painful area to relieve tension and reduce discomfort caused by the pain. Pay attention to the intensity of the kneading during the massage, allowing the child to fall asleep comfortably with gentle touches.