How Physio Helps Kids Through Growth Spurts
When Growing Hurts
Your child comes off the soccer field rubbing their knees, or wakes up at night complaining of sore legs. You’re left wondering — is this just part of growing up, or a sign that something’s wrong?
It’s a question we hear often at Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon. Growth is an incredible process, but sometimes the body struggles to keep up. As parents, it’s natural to worry when your child is in pain, especially when they’re active, sporty, and eager to get back on the field.
In this article, we’ll help you understand what’s normal, what might need a closer look, and how a physiotherapist experienced with kids and teens can help your child grow strong, move well, and stay pain-free.
What Are Growing Pains, Really?
Despite the name, growing pains aren’t caused directly by bones growing. Instead, they tend to happen when active kids go through quick physical changes that temporarily affect how their muscles and joints work together.
Typical growing pains:
Usually appear between ages 3 and 12
Cause a dull ache in both legs (often behind the knees, calves, or thighs)
Flare up at night or after big days of activity
Aren’t linked to swelling, redness, or limping
They’re considered harmless and often come and go in phases. A warm bath, gentle massage, or simply a good night’s rest can usually ease the discomfort.
But not every pain that happens during a growth spurt is a harmless “growing pain.”
When It’s More Than Growing Pains
If your child has pain that happens in one leg only, seems to worsen with activity, or comes with limping, swelling, or stiffness, it may be more than a growth phase. These are signs that something in the way your child moves or loads their body could be creating extra stress on their joints and tendons.
Common growth-related conditions we see at Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage include:
Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease – pain just below the knee, common in active pre-teens and teens
Sever’s Disease – heel pain caused by the Achilles tendon pulling on the growth plate
Patellofemoral pain – irritation around the kneecap from muscle imbalance or overuse
Little League Shoulder – shoulder pain in young throwers or swimmers caused by stress at the growth plate
Lower Back Pain in Teens – often linked to tight hamstrings, weak core muscles, or early stress reactions from repetitive extension movements
These aren’t dangerous, but they can limit sport, affect confidence, and — if ignored — turn into recurring issues later on. The good news? Early physiotherapy can make a big difference.
Why Growth Spurts Affect Movement
During growth spurts, bones grow faster than muscles and tendons can adapt. This creates temporary tightness, coordination changes, and even minor posture shifts. You might notice your child becoming a little clumsier, less flexible, or complaining that familiar movements now “feel weird.”
For active kids — especially those who play sport several times a week — this can mean certain areas (like knees, hips, or heels) start to work harder than they should. Without guidance, those imbalances can turn into pain or overuse injuries.
That’s where physiotherapy comes in.
How Physiotherapy Helps Kids Through Growth Spurts
A children’s physiotherapist does much more than treat pain. We look at how your child moves, balances, and loads their body, and then guide them (and you) through strategies to stay strong, flexible, and pain-free during growth.
At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage, our approach includes:
Thorough movement assessment — checking posture, coordination, and muscle balance
Hands-on treatment when needed — easing tight muscles and improving mobility
Tailored strength and stretch exercises to help growing muscles catch up with lengthening bones
Education for parents and kids — learning when to rest, how to warm up, and how to recover properly
Sports-specific advice — ideal for young athletes juggling multiple training sessions each week
Many kids find the sessions fun and confidence-boosting. We use age-appropriate exercises that build lifelong awareness of body movement — an investment in their future health and athletic performance.
If your child plays sport, explore our Sports Physio for Youth page to learn how we help junior athletes perform at their best while staying injury-free.
What Parents Can Do at Home
There’s plenty you can do between sessions to help your child feel better and prevent pain from returning.
Encourage gentle activity.
Light movement keeps blood flowing and muscles flexible — complete rest can sometimes make things worse.Stretch together.
Simple calf, hamstring, and quadriceps stretches can relieve tightness from growth spurts. Make it part of a fun evening routine.Warm baths or gentle massage.
Helps ease muscle tension and promote relaxation before bed.Supportive footwear.
Make sure shoes fit well and are replaced as your child’s feet grow.Good sleep and nutrition.
Rest and recovery are vital when the body is busy growing.
If your child’s pain keeps coming back or is affecting their daily activity, that’s a sign it’s worth checking in with a physiotherapist. Early advice can prevent long-term frustration and missed sport seasons.
Why Early Physiotherapy Matters
Some parents hesitate to bring their child to a physiotherapist, thinking it might be “too soon” or “too minor.” But in most cases, seeing a physio early is the smartest move.
A skilled physiotherapist can:
Identify biomechanical issues before they become chronic
Teach your child good movement habits during key developmental years
Reduce pain quickly and safely
Keep them involved in the sport or activity they love
We’ve seen countless local kids go from limping off the court to returning stronger than before. One young soccer player in Booragoon came to us with knee pain from rapid growth. After three weeks of gentle strengthening and movement retraining, he was back at training — pain-free and confident.
That’s the kind of outcome we love to see.
The Adaptive Difference
At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage, we pride ourselves on being more than just a clinic — we’re a family-focused team that understands how kids think, move, and grow.
Our physiotherapists have extensive experience helping children and teens through all stages of growth, from the first sports carnival to high-level competition. We take the time to make each child feel comfortable and involved in their own recovery, using simple language and plenty of encouragement.
We also work closely with our Physiotherapy Rehab Program and Exercise Physiology team, ensuring a seamless pathway from pain relief to long-term performance.
Families across Booragoon, Melville, Applecross, Ardross, and Mt Pleasant trust us to help their kids move well, recover safely, and enjoy being active again.
Helping Your Child Move Without Pain
Growing should never mean painful. If your child’s discomfort is lasting, worsening, or affecting their sport or sleep, it’s worth getting it checked.
Our friendly Booragoon physiotherapists are great with kids — and we’ll guide them (and you) through every step. Book an appointment online, or give us a call for a quick chat about what’s happening.
Let’s help your child grow strong, move well, and feel confident in every stage of their development.
