Health Tip: Lessen Growing Pains
(HealthDay News) -- Growing pains occur as kids exercise more and their muscles try to keep up. Ironically, these pains aren't directly caused by the process of growing, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.
Generally, parents shouldn't be too concerned, the academy advises.
These muscle aches tend to occur at night as kids are sleeping or are trying to fall asleep.
The academy offers advice on how to tame your child's growing pains:
- Take rests during athletic play.
- Have your child participate in a variety of sports, which will help ensure that the same muscles won't be continually overstrained.
- Give your child a warm bath before bedtime.
- When growing pains are bothersome, gently massage your child's legs.
- You can administer a dose of children's acetaminophen if there's more intense pain.
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