As the school year kicks off, so does the hustle of after-school practices, weekend games, and bleacher cheering. Whether your child is chasing goals on the soccer field, swimming laps at the pool, or swinging for the fences on the diamond, sports are a great way to stay active, build confidence, and make lasting memories.

But let’s be real: being a sports parent also means keeping an eye out for bumps, bruises, and sometimes more serious concerns.

So how do you know if your child’s discomfort is just growing pains—or something more?

What Exactly Are Growing Pains?

The term “growing pains” is often used to describe the achy, throbbing sensations kids feel—typically in the legs—during growth spurts. These aches usually happen at night and aren’t linked to specific injuries. Despite the name, there’s no clear evidence that growth itself causes pain, but the discomfort is real for many kids.

Signs of growing pains:

• Dull aches or cramps, usually in both legs
• Pain that comes and goes
• No redness, swelling, or specific point tenderness
• Often relieved by massage, stretching, or a warm compress

What Are Sports Injuries?

Unlike growing pains, sports injuries are tied directly to movement, activity, or trauma. These can develop suddenly—like a sprain during a game—or gradually from repetitive overuse.

Common causes include:

• Overtraining
• Improper technique
• Impact with another player or equipment
• Lack of rest and recovery

Understanding these injuries can help you recognize when to take your child’s complaints more seriously.

Spotting the Difference: Common Injuries in Young Athletes

Shin Splints

• What it is: Inflammation of the muscles and bones in the lower leg
• Symptoms: Pain along the inner edge of the shin
• When to worry: Pain worsens with activity or doesn’t improve with rest

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

• What it is: Overuse injury affecting the area just below the kneecap
• Symptoms: Swelling, tenderness, or a bony bump on the shinbone
• Most common in: Adolescents going through growth spurts, especially in sports like basketball, soccer, or baseball

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

• What it is: Pain from irritation under the kneecap
• Symptoms: Pain with stairs, squatting, or prolonged sitting; a “crackling” sound in the knee
• Often caused by: Misalignment, overuse, or poor mechanics

Sport-Specific Injuries to Watch For

⚾ Baseball

• Overuse injuries like rotator cuff strains or elbow tendinitis (especially in pitchers)
• Impact injuries from balls or bats
• Repetitive squatting may aggravate knee conditions like Osgood-Schlatter

🏊 Swimming

• Swimmer’s Shoulder: Caused by repetitive overhead strokes
• Breaststroker’s Knee: Strain from the kick’s sideways motion
• Low Back Strain: Common in butterfly or breaststroke specialists

⚽ Soccer

• Sever’s Disease: Inflammation of the heel’s growth plate from running and jumping
• Ankle sprains, ACL tears, and muscle strains are common
• Head injuries can lead to concussions, especially from headers or falls

⛳ Golf

• Swing mechanics can cause sprains, strains, or back pain
• Rotator cuff tendinitis and shoulder bursitis from poor form or overuse
• Risk of herniated disks from repetitive twisting

🥍 Lacrosse

• Concussions are the most frequent injury
• High risk for hip, knee, and thigh sprains or strains
• ACL injuries are prevalent—especially in female athletes

When Should You See a Physical Therapist?

If your child’s pain:

• Persists longer than a few days
• Interferes with daily activities or sleep
• Gets worse with sports or specific movements
• Includes swelling, redness, or limping

…it’s time to take a closer look.Physical therapy can help diagnose, treat, and prevent injuries. A sports-focused PT will evaluate your child’s pain, develop a personalized treatment plan, and work with them to safely return to the game they love.

Free Injury Screens for Young Athletes

At Professional Therapy Services (PTS), we’re proud to support young athletes and their families. We offer free pain and injury screenings—no referral needed—so you can get peace of mind and help your child stay active and healthy.

Don’t wait until a small issue becomes a big problem.[Request your free screening today]

⚠️ Quick Reminder for Parents:

• Warm-ups and cooldowns matter
• Don’t ignore pain that sticks around
• Early care = faster recovery
• Cross-training can help prevent overuse injuries
• Sleep and nutrition are just as important as practice!

Your child’s health is the real win.

Whether they’re in cleats, spikes, or goggles, let’s keep them playing strong all season long.