---
canonical: https://aderettherapy.com.au/resources/why-are-growing-pains-not-caused-by-growing/
title: Why are growing pains not caused by growing?
slug: why-are-growing-pains-not-caused-by-growing
date: 2026-09-21
type: podcast
status: published
image: 2026-09-21.jpg
image_alt: Aderet Therapy Weekly podcast cover: silhouette of a child dancing in front of a blurred child's bedroom with a patchwork quilt, bedside lamp and purple night window, 21 September 2026
summary: Growing pains are not caused by growing. What helps sore legs at night, when leg pain needs checking, and when a child should start walking.
keywords: growing pains, leg pain in children, leg pain at night, stretches for growing pains, first steps, late walker, walking milestones, cruising, paediatric physiotherapy, paediatric physiotherapy Campbelltown, NDIS
podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6RUUQvYpKIpSWB4nNBEZBp
---
Why are growing pains not caused by growing? Because bones grow slowly, even during a growth spurt, and that slow growth does not hurt. The name comes from when growing pains turn up, during the childhood years, not from what causes them, and the exact cause is still not fully understood.

What is well understood is the pattern, and this episode walks through it. Growing pains are a very common cause of leg pain in children. The four things that help on a tough night: massage, warmth, gentle stretches for the thighs and calves before bed, and reassurance.

The second half is for parents waiting on first steps. Walking is a loaded milestone, and walking too early can be as much of a problem as walking late. As a general rule a child walks between twelve and eighteen months, and a child over eighteen months who is not taking independent steps is worth an assessment with your GP or physiotherapist.

Taking those first steps needs strength, good alignment and the confidence to try. Every child goes at their own pace so give them an opportunity to learn and experiment on their own.

**Topics covered:** growing pains, leg pain in children, leg pain at night, sore legs at bedtime, when to worry about leg pain, stretches for growing pains, first steps, when do babies walk, late walker, early walker, baby not walking at 18 months, cruising, building confidence to walk, stairs for toddlers, Little Movers League, paediatric physiotherapy, early intervention, Campbelltown, Macarthur, NSW.

## Read more from Aderet Therapy

- [Growing Pains](https://aderettherapy.com.au/resources/growing-pains/)
- [When should I be concerned about my baby developing properly?](https://aderettherapy.com.au/resources/baby-developing-properly/)
- [When should my child start walking?](https://aderettherapy.com.au/resources/when-should-my-child-start-walking/)

## Sources behind this episode

Written by the paediatric physiotherapy team at Aderet Therapy, Campbelltown.

Growing pains: What do we know about etiology? A systematic review. World Journal of Orthopedics doi:10.5312/wjo.v10.i4.192

## In this episode

- 00:00 - Intro
- 01:13 - Song: Gone By The Morning
- 03:43 - Growing Pains
- 09:32 - Song: Warm Hands
- 11:52 - When a child should start walking
- 16:06 - Song: The Way You Move
- 18:36 - Wrap up

## About the show

Aderet Therapy Weekly is a short weekly podcast for parents of babies and young children, from the paediatric physiotherapy team at Aderet Therapy in Campbelltown, in the Macarthur region of south west Sydney, NSW. Every episode takes one thing parents worry about, explains what is actually known about it, and says plainly what is not known. No judgement, no jargon, no scare tactics.

Aderet Therapy: paediatric physiotherapy, early intervention key worker support, communication physiotherapy and AAC, aquatic physiotherapy, equipment prescription, school holiday programs, and the free Little Movers League community sessions. NDIS, Medicare and private health.

## Contact

- Website: [aderettherapy.com.au](https://aderettherapy.com.au)
- Phone: [02 4949 7276](tel:+61249497276)
- Address: [Suite 10, 261 Queen Street, Campbelltown NSW 2560](https://www.google.com/maps?cid=3113537277279447515)

## Disclaimer

Everything in this episode is general information only. Every child is unique, and nothing here replaces a conversation with your GP, your child and family health nurse, or your physiotherapist.