Growing Pains

Have you ever noticed that when you jump up a clothing size you all of a sudden lose your balance and become unco-ordinated? Or perhaps your knees and feet ache? Let me take a moment to explain these things to you as they are more common than you might think!

Growing is a rite of passage as we move from babies, to children, to adolescence, and finally adulthood. Lots of things happen when we grow. Our nutritional and energy needs increase, so it is important to eat more. Our bodies expend a lot of energy while growing, so it is important to sleep more. Sometimes the rate at which all the different parts of our body grow varies, which can lead to some problems.

The bones in our bodies generally grow at a faster rate than our muscles. This means that our ability to move our joints during a period of rapid growth (growth spurt) can be more difficult. Some young people complain of feeling stiff and uncoordinated during a growth spurt and often present to physios wondering what to do. One of the best ways to cope with this is to wait it out knowing that your muscles will eventually catch up. Try not to add any new skills during this time to prevent any injuries.

Other times, growth spurts may result in pain around the points where the muscles attach onto the bones. This is common in the knees and heels. As the bones grow quickly, the muscles often pull on the bones while they are catching up. In these instances, again waiting it out is a safe approach, but often young people want strategies to keep going with their sport. In these situations, you should consult with your physiotherapist for strategies that best suit you and your sport.

~ Catherine Etty-Leal

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Catherine Etty-Leal

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