Growing Pains Chiropractic Care in Rancho Santa Fe
Growing Pains Chiropractic Care in Rancho Santa Fe
If your child is waking up at night with aching legs or complaining of “mystery pains” in their thighs, knees, or calves—it’s likely they’re experiencing growing pains. As a parent, it can be hard to see your child uncomfortable, especially when it seems like there’s no clear reason or solution. The good news? You’re not alone—and there is gentle, natural relief available.
Growing pains are a common part of childhood, especially during rapid growth phases. While they’re often dismissed as “just part of growing up,” they don’t have to be something your child suffers through. These discomforts can be a sign of biomechanical imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, or nervous system stress—all of which can be addressed with compassionate, holistic care.
At Brain Health D.C., just a short drive from Rancho Santa Fe, Dr. Nisreen Tayebjee offers safe and effective pediatric chiropractic care for children dealing with growing pains. Her approach is gentle, non-invasive, and designed to support your child’s body through this important stage of development. With a deep understanding of functional neurology, biomechanics, and pediatric wellness, Dr. Nisreen tailors care plans that restore balance, reduce discomfort, and promote healthy, happy growth.
What Are Growing Pains?
Growing pains are a real and often misunderstood part of childhood. They typically present as aching, throbbing, or cramping pain in the legs—most commonly in the calves, thighs, or behind the knees. These sensations are usually bilateral (affecting both legs) and tend to come and go, often flaring up after a day of increased physical activity or during growth spurts.
For many children, the discomfort sets in during the late afternoon or evening and can even wake them from sleep, leading to tears, restlessness, and anxiety around bedtime. These episodes can be distressing for both the child and the parent—especially when no obvious injury is present.
Growing pains are most common in two age groups:
- Early childhood (ages 3–5)
- Late childhood/pre-adolescence (ages 8–12)
While they’re frequently labeled as “normal,” this doesn’t mean your child has to suffer through them without support. Pain is the body’s way of communicating an underlying need. It may be related to postural imbalances, rapid bone growth, muscular tension, nutritional gaps, or even subtle neurological stress.
What Causes Growing Pains?
Biomechanical Stress from Growth Spurts
During periods of rapid growth, bones may lengthen faster than muscles and tendons can keep up. This creates tension in the musculoskeletal system, particularly in the legs, leading to discomfort—especially at night when the body is at rest and healing begins.
Physical Activity, Postural Imbalances & Gait Mechanics
Active children are constantly running, jumping, and climbing—activities that place extra demands on their growing bodies. If there are subtle misalignments in the spine, pelvis, or lower limbs, it can create uneven stress on muscles and joints. Poor posture or uncoordinated movement patterns may contribute to ongoing strain and pain.
Nutrient Deficiencies or Malabsorption
Many children today experience nutritional imbalances due to poor diet, food intolerances, or gut dysfunction. Deficiencies in magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, or B-complex vitamins can amplify pain sensitivity and interfere with muscle function. Through Functional Nutrition, we assess these needs and support the body with targeted dietary and supplement interventions.
Emotional Stress or Neurological Dysregulation
Children may not always verbalize stress in the same way adults do, but their bodies feel it. Emotional or sensory overload can manifest physically, increasing muscle tension and disrupting sleep. Using principles of Functional Neurology, we evaluate how the nervous system is processing stress and offer therapies that regulate and calm the brain-body connection.
The Brain, Body & Pain Connection
Pain is not always a result of injury—it can be influenced by how the nervous system interprets and responds to signals from the body. When the brain and body aren’t communicating effectively, even normal sensations can be perceived as discomfort. This is why we look at both structural and neurological health when assessing growing pains.
How Chiropractic Care Helps Growing Pains
Gentle Adjustments Promote Healthy Growth
As your child’s body grows, the alignment of their spine, hips, and legs can shift—sometimes unevenly. These misalignments can lead to muscle tension, joint strain, and uneven gait patterns. Gentle, age-appropriate adjustments help restore joint mobility, ease tension, and support symmetrical development, creating a more balanced foundation for growth.
Supporting the Nervous System
The nervous system controls how the body perceives and responds to pain. When it’s under stress or not communicating efficiently with the rest of the body, pain signals can become amplified. Chiropractic care enhances nervous system function, helping to regulate those signals and promote a state of relaxation and healing—especially helpful for kids who have trouble sleeping due to discomfort.
Improving Posture, Gait & Coordination
By evaluating and correcting postural imbalances and gait mechanics, chiropractic care helps reduce repetitive strain on the legs and lower back. As your child learns to move with more coordination and alignment, their body becomes more efficient—and less prone to irritation or inflammation in growing tissues.
A Drug-Free, Natural Approach
Perhaps one of the greatest gifts of chiropractic care is that it works with the body’s natural healing abilities. Without the use of medications or invasive procedures, we help your child feel better, sleep more soundly, and move with more ease—giving both you and your child peace of mind.
Dr. Nisreen’s Unique Approach
Pediatric Chiropractic Meets Functional Neurology
Dr. Nisreen is not only skilled in chiropractic care, she’s also extensively trained in Functional Neurology, making her uniquely equipped to assess and treat the neurological patterns that can influence pain, posture, and movement. Her care is especially valuable for children with developmental delays, coordination challenges, or sensory sensitivities.
Deep Evaluations Beyond Symptoms
Every child receives a thoughtful evaluation of their:
- Movement patterns
- Primitive reflexes (early reflexes that can impact coordination and posture if retained)
- Balance and postural control These insights help us uncover the root causes of discomfort and support long-term solutions—not just temporary relief.
Integrative Care with Nutrition & Neurosensory Therapies
Because growing pains may also be tied to nutritional gaps or sensory processing challenges, Dr. Nisreen combines chiropractic adjustments with Functional Nutrition and neurosensory therapies. This integrative approach supports the child’s body from multiple angles—structural, biochemical, and neurological.
Family-Friendly, Gentle & Personalized
Children are met with warmth, patience, and respect. Adjustments are tailored to their age, sensitivity, and comfort level. We involve families every step of the way, creating custom care plans that are realistic, gentle, and designed to fit into your busy lives.
Education that Empowers Families
Dr. Nisreen believes that when parents understand their child’s body, they can make better decisions and build lifelong habits of health. We take the time to explain, guide, and answer your questions—so that you leave every visit feeling more informed, hopeful, and confident.
Additional Therapies and Support Offered
Low-Level Laser Therapy
We use gentle, non-invasive low-level laser therapy (cold laser) to reduce inflammation, ease muscle tension, and support tissue repair. This is especially helpful during growth spurts when muscles and joints are under added stress.
Cranial Adjustments
Many children hold tension in the head and neck that can impact sleep, mood, and even how they process pain. Dr. Nisreen uses gentle cranial techniques to release these restrictions and restore calm to the nervous system—helping kids relax more deeply and sleep more soundly.
Balance & Coordination Training
With tools like Btracks Balance and Motion Guidance, we help children develop better posture, alignment, and control over their movements. These therapies are essential for kids whose growing pains stem from uneven gait, poor coordination, or underlying neurological imbalances.
Functional Nutrition Counseling
Pain and muscle tension can be exacerbated by nutrient deficiencies—especially in minerals like magnesium, calcium, and zinc. We provide personalized nutritional evaluations to assess your child’s dietary needs and recommend whole-foods-based strategies and supplementation where needed.
Breathwork & Relaxation Tools
Pain often disrupts a child’s ability to rest and reset. We teach simple breathing techniques and nervous system calming strategies that help children settle before bed, reduce anxiety, and improve their body’s healing rhythm.
Let’s Help Your Child Grow in Comfort and Confidence
If your child is experiencing unexplained leg aches, disrupted sleep, or discomfort that doesn’t seem to go away—it’s time to look deeper. Growing pains are real, and your child deserves to be seen, understood, and supported through them.
At Brain Health D.C., we offer more than just relief—we offer a personalized path to lasting wellness. Dr. Nisreen is here to listen, evaluate with care, and guide you and your child toward healing with gentle, effective chiropractic and integrative therapies.
Let’s talk about how we can help your child feel better, sleep more soundly, and move with confidence.
📍 Learn More About Dr. Nisreen
https://www.brainhealthdc.com/dr-nisreen
📄 What to Expect at Your First Visit
https://www.brainhealthdc.com/first-visit
💆 Explore Our Chiropractic Care Services
https://www.brainhealthdc.com/services
📧 Questions? We’re here to help:
infochiro@fitnessgenome.net
📞 (858) 208-0710
📍 1905 Calle Barcelona, Suite 234, Carlsbad, CA 92009
