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Growing pains

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.

Symptoms of growing pains

The symptoms of growing pains can come and go over months, even years.

The pain is usually:

  • an aching or throbbing in both legs
  • in the muscles or joints of both legs
  • in the evening or night-time (and goes away by morning)

Things you can do to ease growing pains

Do

  • 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

Don’t

  • do not give aspirin to a child under the age of 16 unless a doctor prescribes it

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if your child:

  • has pain in 1 leg
  • has leg pain in the morning, or when walking or taking part in activities
  • has leg pain that's bad enough to stop them walking or makes them limp
  • has pain in 1 joint, such as their knee or ankle
  • has a rash, swelling or unusual bruising on the legs
  • has leg pain and a high temperature
  • feels unusually tired or sleepy a lot of the time
  • does not want to eat or is losing weight

Causes of growing pains

It's not known what causes growing pains.

It's not caused by growing and is not a sign of anything serious.

Growing pains are more common in active children and can happen after playing lots of sport.

It's also common in children with very flexible joints (joint hypermobility syndrome).

Page last reviewed: 16 June 2026
Next review due: 16 June 2029