For limb injuries see Bone, Muscle, and Joint Trauma. There are two main causes of muscle pain. Brief acute pains are usually due to muscle cramps. Foot or calf muscles are especially prone to cramps that can awaken a child from sleep. Both of these normal pains have been incorrectly referred to as growing pains.
Muscle cramps occur in a third of all children.
During attacks, stretch the painful muscle by pulling the foot and toes upward as far as they will go to break the spasm. Massaging the painful muscle with an ice pack is also very effective. Treatment for strained muscles Massage the sore muscles with ice for 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat this three or four times a day for 2 days. If the muscles are still stiff on the third day, have your child take a hot bath for 20 minutes and gently exercise the involved part under water.