How Can a Growing Pains Chiropractor Help Your Child Tackle Joint Pain?
If you are a parent in Brisbane, you may have heard your child complain of sore legs or achy knees at night. Often brushed off as “just growing pains,” these aches can be unsettling when they leave your child restless or even wake them from sleep.
You are not alone. Growing pains are surprisingly common. A South Australian study back in 2004 found that more than one in three children aged four to six experienced them. More recent research has shown a wide range, with some studies suggesting anywhere from 3% to almost half of children go through these night-time aches. The exact cause is still a bit of a mystery, with theories ranging from muscle fatigue during growth spurts to children simply having different pain thresholds.
For many mums and dads in their 30s and 40s, the experience is familiar. You may remember nights of the same discomfort as a child and now you are on the other side, watching your own son or daughter try to settle down with the same problem.
Growing pains are common, yet that does not make them easier to see your child go through. The good news is there are ways to support them. This article looks at what growing pains are, why they happen and how a growing pains chiropractor may be able to help children move more comfortably through their growth spurts.
What are growing pains?
Growing pains usually appear in children between the ages of 3 and 12. The discomfort often comes in the late afternoon or evening and it is not unusual for children to wake in the night because of it.
The pain is most often felt in the legs, behind the knees or in the thighs. Although the name suggests otherwise, there is no clear evidence that growth itself causes the pain. Instead, it is thought to be linked to the way muscles, joints and bones adapt during busy phases of development and activity.
In Brisbane, where children are often active with school sport, playground time and outdoor play, the strain of these activities may make the aches more noticeable.
Why some children feel it more
Not every child experiences growing pains in the same way. Some may complain only once in a while, while others feel sore more regularly. A few factors that can play a part include:
Activity levels – Children who play lots of sport or spend long hours outdoors may be more prone to aches.
Posture – Carrying heavy school bags, sitting with devices or slouching at desks can place extra strain on muscles.
Growth spurts – Phases of rapid growth often leave muscles tight, which may add to discomfort.
Climate – Brisbane’s hot summers can cause dehydration, which makes muscles more likely to ache.
For most children, the pains come and go, but they can affect sleep and sometimes make a child less keen to join in with everyday activities.
How chiropractic care may help
A chiropractor cannot stop growth, but gentle chiropractic care may help children cope more comfortably with the demands of their developing bodies.
A growing pains chiropractor looks at how the spine, hips and joints are moving. If there are areas of stiffness or imbalance, these can place extra pressure on muscles and joints. Gentle adjustments may improve movement and ease tension, reducing strain during growth spurts.
Chiropractic care for children is very different from adult care. The techniques are softer, tailored for smaller bodies and always focused on safety and comfort. Parents often notice that children sleep more soundly and complain less of soreness once these imbalances are addressed.
Common triggers
Life in Brisbane is active and outdoorsy, which is wonderful for children, but it can also highlight aches and pains. Some local factors include:
School sport in hot weather – Long afternoons of football, athletics or swimming in the heat can leave muscles sore.
Carrying heavy bags – Many Brisbane children walk or take buses with bags that strain their backs and shoulders.
Screen time – Evenings spent on tablets or consoles can lead to poor posture, which affects recovery.
Busy schedules – School, sport and social activities leave little time for rest, making soreness harder to shake off.
Being aware of these triggers helps parents make small changes that reduce the impact on their child’s body.
What parents can do at home
There are a few simple steps parents can try alongside professional support:
Encourage stretching after sport or long play sessions
Keep children hydrated, especially during Brisbane’s hot summers
Check school bags are not overloaded and sit properly on both shoulders
Create a bedtime routine with calming stretches or a warm bath to ease muscles
Ensure your child gets enough sleep during busy school terms
Note this is general advice, and we always recommend speaking to a professional for your specific situation.
See also: Sciatica Treatment Brisbane.
When to seek professional help
Most growing pains are harmless, but there are times when it is sensible to get them checked. If your child’s pain is severe, affects only one leg or is linked to swelling or redness, it is worth speaking to a professional.
It is also wise to seek help if the pain regularly disrupts sleep or makes your child reluctant to join in with normal activities. A chiropractor can assess whether posture, tension or spinal alignment are adding to the problem and may work alongside other health providers if needed.
The bigger picture
Chiropractic care is not just about short-term comfort. Supporting health from an early age can encourage better posture, easier recovery after sport and healthier movement habits that last into the teenage years and beyond.
With regular checks and gentle adjustments, children may experience:
Fewer headaches or neck aches linked to posture
More confidence in movement and play
Reduced soreness after active days
Better sleep during busy growth phases
By treating the spine as a foundation, chiropractic care may have a positive ripple effect on overall wellbeing.
Final thoughts
Childhood should be about running, climbing and play, not lying awake with sore legs. While growing pains are common, there are ways to make the experience easier.
Chiropractic care offers a gentle, supportive option that may help children feel more comfortable during growth spurts. Along with simple steps at home, it can help them enjoy a more active, confident childhood.
If this sounds familiar in your household, you might want to chat to someone about it. Helping your child move with ease can make everyday moments, like kicking a footy at Kangaroo Point or cycling by the Brisbane River, that much more enjoyable. To explore how chiropractic care could support your child, you can book a consultation with Tan Chiro and get personalised guidance tailored to your family’s needs.