Growing pains is a term used for leg pain that is common in children aged 3 to 12. It's harmless and usually gets better on its own. The pain can be treated with painkillers like paracetamol.
The symptoms of growing pains can come and go over months, even years.
The pain is usually:
gently massage your child's legs
put a covered hot water bottle or heat pack on the painful area
give children's ibuprofen or paracetamol to ease the pain
do not give aspirin to a child under the age of 16 unless a doctor prescribes it
It's not known what causes growing pains.
They are not caused by growing and they are not a sign of anything serious.
Growing pains are more common in active children and can happen after playing lots of sport.
They are also common in children with very flexible joints (joint hypermobility syndrome)