Growing pains are a common complaint among children, especially between the ages of 3 to 12. These aches and discomforts—typically felt in the legs—are often dismissed as a normal part of development. But what if poor posture is playing a larger role than most parents realize?
While growing pains are often harmless, certain lifestyle factors like posture can influence their intensity and frequency. Understanding the connection between posture and pain can help parents support their child’s growth in a healthier, more comfortable way.
What Are Growing Pains?
Growing pains are typically described as:
-
Aching or throbbing pain, often in the legs (especially thighs, calves, or behind the knees)
-
More common in the late afternoon or evening
-
Not associated with injury, redness, or swelling
-
Often worse after a day of physical activity
-
Usually not linked to actual bone growth, despite the name
While the exact cause remains unclear, doctors believe growing pains may result from muscle overuse, fatigue, or mechanical stress during growth spurts.
The Overlooked Role of Posture
Posture plays a significant role in how the body moves, distributes weight, and maintains balance. In children who are rapidly growing, poor posture can exacerbate muscular tension, place uneven strain on joints, and contribute to compensatory movement patterns—all of which may worsen or mimic growing pains.
Common Postural Issues in Kids:
-
Forward head posture from screen use
-
Slouching when sitting
-
Uneven shoulders or hips
-
Flat feet or poor arch support
-
Carrying backpacks incorrectly
When a child’s posture is off, their muscles and joints must work harder to keep the body aligned. This can lead to muscle fatigue and soreness, which may intensify the pain children feel during growth phases.
How Poor Posture Can Worsen Growing Pains
-
Muscle Imbalances
Poor posture can create imbalances between opposing muscle groups (e.g., tight hamstrings and weak quads), leading to excessive strain on growing tissues. -
Joint Misalignment
A misaligned spine or pelvis can alter how force is distributed through the legs and feet, potentially leading to compensatory pain that mimics or worsens growing pains. -
Reduced Flexibility and Range of Motion
Prolonged poor posture can limit a child’s natural range of motion, making movement less efficient and more tiring for the muscles. -
Increased Fatigue
Muscles working overtime to maintain poor posture may fatigue faster, triggering the evening discomfort often associated with growing pains.
Supporting Better Posture at Home
Parents can take proactive steps to support good posture and potentially reduce the severity of growing pains:
-
Encourage daily stretching and light exercise
-
Limit screen time and encourage breaks from sitting
-
Ensure backpacks are worn correctly and not overloaded
-
Use supportive footwear
-
Monitor for signs of asymmetry in walking or standing
Pediatric Chiropractic Care and Growing Pains
For children experiencing persistent growing pains—especially when accompanied by poor posture—pediatric chiropractic care can be a gentle, effective approach to restore balance and reduce discomfort.
What Pediatric Chiropractors Do:
-
Evaluate spinal and postural alignment
-
Gently adjust misalignments using safe, child-specific techniques
-
Address muscle imbalances and joint restrictions
-
Support the nervous system, which coordinates growth, healing, and movement
By correcting subtle misalignments, chiropractic care may help optimize posture, reduce muscular tension, and improve body mechanics, making it easier for kids to move comfortably during their growth phases.
Many parents report that their children sleep better, move more freely, and experience fewer complaints of pain after receiving consistent chiropractic care.
A Holistic Look at Growing Pains
While growing pains are often considered a normal part of childhood, they shouldn’t be ignored—especially when they interfere with sleep, activity, or mood. Poor posture may not cause growing pains directly, but it can certainly worsen them or contribute to similar types of discomfort.
Supporting proper posture and considering pediatric chiropractic care can give your child a stronger foundation for healthy growth—and a more comfortable experience along the way.