Childhood is full of daily adventures and challenges, but one struggle often goes unnoticed—growing pains. If you’ve ever found yourself comforting your child through nights of discomfort, you’re not alone. Many parents experience this, especially during their child’s growth spurts. Growing pains are more than just physical discomfort; they can affect your child’s mood, energy, and behavior, leaving the whole family feeling drained.
Nearly half of all school-aged children experience growing pains. While many pediatricians consider it a “normal” part of growing up, there may be more beneath the surface. Could there be neurological roots that Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care can address—without drugs?
This blog is for parents seeking safe, natural solutions to ease their child’s growing pains. Let’s explore why some kids experience these pains more than others and how stress and tension within the nervous system contribute.
The Link Between Growing Pains and Neurological Challenges
Many parents notice a connection between growing pains and challenges like sensory processing issues, Autism, or ADHD. These struggles often go hand-in-hand, revealing a common root cause: excessive stress and tension stuck in the sympathetic fight-or-flight nervous system.
The Science Behind Growing Pains
Growing pains typically begin between the ages of 3 and 12, peaking during growth spurts. Pediatricians often attribute these pains to rapid bone growth outpacing the development of muscles and ligaments. But the story doesn’t stop there.
As bones lengthen during growth spurts, tension builds in muscles, ligaments, and sensory nerves. This tension leads to joint and neurospinal misalignments, known as subluxations, which can irritate nerves and trigger pain. These subluxations cause a feedback loop to the brain called “nociception,” which leads to pain, dysfunction, and even emotional and behavioral challenges.
Children who are stuck in a perpetual fight-or-flight state often experience more intense growing pains. The nervous system, constantly in overdrive, amplifies the discomfort, causing flare-ups that go beyond physical pain, impacting their emotional and sensory experiences as well.
Managing Growing Pains with Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care
The good news is that these challenges can be addressed naturally and safely—without medication. At Foundation of Stone Pediatric & Perinatal Family Chiropractic, we focus on the root cause of your child’s growing pains by using advanced neurological scans, such as the INSiGHT Scans. These scans help us identify areas of dysfunction within your child’s nervous system, allowing us to create a personalized care plan with gentle adjustments to restore balance and relieve tension.
The benefits of chiropractic care extend far beyond physical relief. In addition to easing growing pains, chiropractic adjustments can help your child sleep better and improve their overall well-being. Instead of waiting for your child to “outgrow” their pain, chiropractic care can support them through this stage with resilience and comfort.
Don’t wait to take action. If you’re not local to us, visit the PX Docs directory to find a trusted chiropractor near you. Empower your child’s growth with gentle, drug-free care and give them the tools to thrive through every stage.