Growing Pains

Q My child's growing pains are quite severe — can they be resolved with Korean medicine treatment alone?

A. Most growing pains can be sufficiently managed with Korean medicine treatment alone, and in severe cases, combining it with painkillers works faster.

Q What should we do to keep growing pains from recurring?

A. Periodically replenishing kidney energy during periods of active growth can greatly reduce the frequency of recurrence.

Q My child has growing pains and also doesn't seem to be growing well in height — can both be treated together?

A. Growing pains and short stature often stem from the same root — a deficiency of kidney energy — so treating them together has a synergistic effect.

Q Is there something I can do at home right away when the growing pains are severe?

A. A warm compress and gentle massage are effective for immediate relief.

Q Should a child with growing pains do less exercise, or keep exercising?

A. Cut back on excessive high-intensity exercise, but light stretching and walking are actually helpful.

Q Won't the herbal medicine used for growing pains interfere with my child's growth?

A. Herbal medicine for growing pains does not interfere with growth; rather, it is composed of herbs that support bone and muscle development.

Q I thought it was growing pains, but I'm worried it might be a bone disease. Can the Korean medicine clinic check?

A. Basic differentiation is possible through a clinic examination, and if a fracture or joint disease is suspected, we refer you to an orthopedic specialist.

Q My child was prescribed a painkiller for growing pains at the pediatrician — can it be taken together with herbal medicine?

A. Generally, short-term painkillers and herbal medicine can be taken together, but it's safer to space the doses at least 1–2 hours apart.

Q When do growing pains go away completely? Will they disappear once my child enters middle school?

A. They usually subside naturally around the first or second year of middle school when pubertal growth is completed, but replenishing kidney energy can bring relief sooner.

Q How quickly do growing pains improve with herbal treatment?

A. It varies by individual, but most see the frequency of pain decrease within 2–4 weeks, and feel a clear difference after taking the medicine consistently for 2–3 months.

Q My child cries every night saying their legs hurt — why do growing pains happen?

A. Pain occurs when the body's supply of energy and blood can't keep up with the rapid growth of bones and muscles.

Q How can I tell whether it's growing pains or another illness?

A. If the pain alternates between both legs and goes away after sleeping, it's likely growing pains.

Q Are there foods that are good or bad to feed a child with growing pains?

A. Feed plenty of calcium- and magnesium-rich foods that nourish bones and muscles, and cut back on instant foods and carbonated drinks.

Q How often does my child need to visit for growing pain treatment?

A. Once or twice a week for the first 2–4 weeks, then adjusted to every 2–4 weeks once it stabilizes.

Q My child is in 3rd grade — when is the best time to start treating growing pains?

A. The 3rd to 4th grade of elementary school, when growth begins to accelerate, is an appropriate time to start Korean medicine treatment.

Q In what order does Korean medicine treatment for growing pains proceed?

A. It proceeds in the order of constitutional assessment at the first visit — herbal prescription — acupuncture and warm compress combined — progress check.

Q Does herbal medicine really help growing pains? Don't they just go away as the child grows?

A. Growing pains do ease with age, but replenishing kidney energy and the body's energy-blood with herbal medicine can reduce the frequency and intensity of pain much faster.

Q Can acupuncture or moxibustion be done on young children? I'm worried my child will be scared.

A. We use shallow pediatric needling or transcutaneous (skin-surface) stimulation, and most children adjust quickly.