Growing Pains vs. Real Injuries - How Parents Can Tell - Cedar Park Athlete Training
- Feb 10
- 2 min read
Parents: If you have an athlete at home, you’ve probably heard this before:
“My knees hurt.”
“My heels are sore.”
“My legs just feel tight.”
And the big question becomes…
Is this normal growing pain — or is something actually wrong?
This is one of the most common concerns parents of young athletes have, and knowing the difference can help prevent small issues from turning into long-term injuries.
What Are “Growing Pains”?
Growing pains are typically related to the body changing quickly during growth spurts.
Bones lengthen fast, but muscles and tendons can’t always keep up — leading to tightness and discomfort.
Common characteristics:
Dull, achy pain
Usually in both legs
Often felt in thighs, calves, or behind the knees
Worse in the evening or after a long day
Improves with rest
These are uncomfortable, but not usually serious.
When It’s Likely More Than Growing Pains
Pain that shows these signs should not be ignored:
🚩 Pain that is sharp or localized to one spot
🚩 Swelling around a joint
🚩 Pain that worsens with activity
🚩 Limping or altered movement
🚩 Pain that lasts more than a few days
These can indicate overuse injuries, which are very common in youth sports.
Examples include:
Knee pain below the kneecap
Heel pain during running
Shoulder pain in throwing athletes
These happen when training load increases faster than the body can adapt.
Why Youth Athletes Get Hurt More Today
Kids play more games, more seasons, and train year-round.
But many don’t have the strength, mobility, and recovery habits needed to handle that workload — which increases stress on joints and tendons.
What Parents Can Do
You don’t have to guess.
✔ Ask where the pain is and what movements make it worse
✔ Watch how they run, jump, and move
✔ Encourage sleep, hydration, and proper meals
✔ Don’t ignore pain that keeps coming back
Early action prevents bigger problems later.
Cedar Park Parents: Our Training Will Make Your Child a Better Athlete in 14 Days
At Barbell Coalition, we specialize in providing high-level training that brings Cedar Park & Leander athletes to the next level in sport performance.
If we don't improve results for your athlete in 14 days, they'll train completely free.
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