FAMILY CARE

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GROWING PAINS

How many of you have experienced your child complaining of seeminly phantom aches and pains in their legs, back or joints?

You have probably tried all the standard parent remedies: wet towels, walking, reading to your child, cuddling, massaging the legs, and nothing works. You may seek professional help only to be told that "it's simply growing pains" and that your child will eventually "grow out of it."

You have probably been told that your child's legs hurt because the bones, and muscles are growing, so it is perfectly normal that they should hurt, it is simply a normal part of every childhood. You may have been told this is "just a phase."

Many concerned parents believe this theory, for on the surface it seems sensible. When you really think about it, however, those explanations simply do not make any sense. After all, when did it ever hurt to grow? And why only the legs? Don't the arms, the nose, the fingers and other body parts also grow? Why don't they hurt?

The vast majority of children with "growing pains" are in the very active, physical years. The sudden bumps, jolts, and stresses of vigorous play often produce vertebral subluxations (misalignments) of some of the spinal bones. These vertebral subluxations affect the way nerves control the function of your child's legs and knees. In adults, this is called sciatica: pain in the leg.

If your child is experiencing pain in the legs, commonly called "growing pains," a visit to a chiropractor with pediatric experience should be a priority.