Massage For Growing Pains
Growing pains (recurrent limb pain in children) are aches and pains that usually occur in late afternoon or evening, they may also cause your child to wake up in the middle of the night. The pains however shouldn't be present in the morning. Growing pains are common in children between the ages of 8 to 12, although some children still experience growing pains up until late teens. Growing
pains are often felt as an intense, cramp like pain which can be felt in both legs. It mostly affects the calves, shins or ankles, but can also affect the thighs.
Massage therapy can be extremely beneficial to children between the ages of 8 to 16 as growth spurts are common during this period of a child's life. Although there is no clear evidence that growing pains are the direct result of growth spurts, they are believed to be muscular pains which occur in children during the phases of rapid growth when their bones grow faster than the length of their muscles. This results in muscle tension which can be very painful. Growing pains also seem to be more common in active children and children with loose, flexible joints.
Specific massage techniques can be used that involve long and slow strokes which can help stretch the muscles through the application of longitudinal strokes. This can help elongate the muscle and allow it to rest without tension alongside the growing bone.
20 minute Growing Pain Massage £22
Children ages 15 and under must have a parent or guardian in the treatment room throughout the duration of their treatment. For children aged 16-17 the parent or guardian must remain on the premises at all times and provide written consent before any service commences.