Pediatrics
Growing-Related Musculoskeletal Pain
Aching in growing children, which should first be medically evaluated.
Also called: Growing pains.
"Growing pains" is a description rather than a diagnosis. Persistent or one-sided pain in a child needs medical assessment before it is attributed to growth, since a number of other conditions can present similarly.
Once more significant causes have been reasonably excluded medically, general aching associated with activity and growth can be considered within a broader evaluation.
Why this matters
Parents usually want to know both that it is nothing serious and what can help, and getting appropriate medical reassurance first is an important part of answering both questions well.
Simple attention to activity load, footwear, and sleep can be a useful part of managing this kind of aching once serious causes are excluded.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
Activity load, sleep, and coordination are all considered as part of a general evaluation, recognising that growing bodies are frequently adapting to new size, strength, and coordination demands.
Care, where appropriate, is gentle and focused on comfortable movement rather than any specific structural correction.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
This is a concern where medical evaluation, imaging or co-management may be the right first step. Dr. Mike Geran will say so plainly if that is what the history and examination suggest.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Night pain, one-sided pain, limping, swelling or fever in a child requires prompt medical evaluation.
- Pain that wakes the child at night
- One-sided pain, limping, or swelling
- Fever alongside limb pain
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Family Wellness — Care for children and adults is individualized in technique and force.
- Chiari Malformation — A medical condition requiring specialist care — support only, within scope.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome — A medically diagnosed connective tissue condition that changes how care is delivered.
- Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder — Greater than average joint movement, with symptoms that come with it.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.