You're getting bigger and growing up. But for some kids, growing up comes with something called growing pains.

What Are Growing Pains?

Growing pains aren't a disease. You probably won't have to go to the doctor for them. But they can hurt. Usually they start when kids are between the ages of 3 and 12. Doctors don't believe that growing actually causes pain, but growing pains do stop when kids stop growing. By the teen years, most kids won't get them anymore.

What Do Growing Pains Feel Like?

Kids get growing pains in their legs. Usually, both legs hurt. But sometimes a kid might feel pain in just one leg, then have pain in the other leg the next time. Usually, the pains are in the front of the thighs (the upper part of your legs), in the calves (the back part of your legs below your knees), or shins (the front part of your legs below your knees), or behind the knees.

What Causes Growing Pains?

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes growing pains. Some think that kids might get growing pains when they run, climb, or jump a lot during the day. When you are more active than usual, you might have aches and pains in your legs at night.

What Can I Do to Feel Better?

These things might help you feel better:

• Put a heating pad on the spot where your legs hurt.
• Stretch your legs like you do in gym class.
• Have your parent massage your legs.
• If it really hurts, your parent can give you an over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

When to Go to the Doctor

If you have a fever, are limping when you walk, have pain early in the day, or your leg looks red or is swollen (puffed up), your parent should take you to the doctor.

Most kids are pain-free during the day. So growing pains shouldn't keep you from running, playing, and doing what you normally do. If you do have leg pain during the day, tell your parent.

You might never feel any growing pains, but if you do, remember that before you know it, you will outgrow them!