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May 27, 2019

Growing Pains Treatment & Natural Remedies

If you’re looking for one more reason to love magnesium, here’s one! It makes for a smart and simple growing pains treatment. In this post, we’ll explain what causes growing pains and how to make growing pains go away. 

Natural Treatments for Growing Pains

Your kid wakes up in the middle of the night crying in pain and clutching her calf. She’s suffered no injuries that you can think of. What could be going on? Growing pains can strike out of nowhere and can range from a mild to significant pain.

What are growing pains and what do they feel like?

Growing pains are muscle cramps or spasms that growing children may experience, usually in the preschool or pre-teen years.

They tend to show up in the calves and quads, but can also be felt behind the knee or in the groin. Growing pains affect both legs, but may be felt in only one side or the other at a time.

How long do growing pains last?

You might notice growing pains in late afternoon or evening (just in time to disrupt bedtime), but they might also wake a child in the middle of the night. Different children will have different experiences. The pain can range anywhere from a dull ache to sharp and debilitating.

Growing pains tend to come and go and children do not usually experience pain every day.

What causes growing pains?

At this time, no one knows what causes growing pains. There’s also little evidence to link “growing” pains with actual growth spurts.

The prevailing theory is that the muscle cramps/spasms known as growing pains are actually linked to intense levels of activity common to childhood and subsequent over-use of the muscles, leaving them prone to cramping.

Other theories include a connection to restless leg syndrome and the possibility that not all body tissues grow at the same rate causing the body to protest in the form of growing pains.

Are growing pains normal?

An estimated up to 40% of children experience frequent growing pains, while others never experience them.

Most of the time, growing pains are considered “normal,” but they might also be tied to nutritional deficiencies, such as magnesium or vitamin B6 deficiency.

It is important to keep in mind that growing pains can be similar to other, more serious, conditions.

If something seems off, do not hesitate to seek a professional opinion. You should be concerned about growing pains if you or your child:

  • Experience pain around the clock or notice it in the morning
  • Show any signs of infection such as fever or a rash
  • Also feel lethargic, weak, or unusually tired
  • Experience limping, reduced mobility, swelling, or aching in the joints

While most folks consider growing pains a childhood malady, the pain doesn’t always abate with maturity. It can continue on into adulthood.

The sensation of growing pains in adults is often quite similar to that experienced by children – pain on both sides that shows up in the calves, quads, or behind the knee and that’s worse in the evenings or at night.

Growing pains treatment

Natural remedies for growing pains

So how do you make growing pains go away? Conventional treatments include stretching the legs, massaging the sore areas, and applying heat to affected areas.

The following holistic approaches may help to bring longer-lasting relief.

    1. Magnesium. Since growing pains have a connection with linked to restless leg syndrome, magnesium is a good option to try. Using a magnesium lotion, such as this one, when massaging the legs and/or a magnesium supplement, such as this one, are both good options to ensure your child’s pain is not from a lack of magnesium. A warm Epsom salts bath can also be very soothing and a great way to get some extra magnesium.
    2. Essential oils. Plant Therapy makes a Grow Ease Kidsafe essential oil blend specifically to help alleviate the symptoms of growing pains and can be added to the above magnesium lotion in place of the sleepy time oil for additional relief. You can also use this pre-made diluted roller on the backs of your child’s knees and bottoms of his feet at night.
KidsSafe

Grow Ease KidSafe Essential Oil 10 mL

  1. Homeopathic remedies. Cell salts can be helpful in reducing symptoms of growing pains by helping the body assimilate and send nutrients where they are needed most to reduce the pain. Calcarea phosphorica is a big one for growing pains.
  2. Vitamin B6. Because vitamin B6 helps transport magnesium into the cells and growing pains in children have been linked to a B6 deficiency, a good multi-vitamin or diet may help.
  3. Vitamin D. A 2015 study indicates that there is a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and growing pains, as well, so ensuring your child has adequate vitamin D levels is important to ward off growing pains. Check this one out.

In addition to the above, some parents have also seen an improvement in their child’s growing pains by using CBD oil and chiropractic care.

How can I stop my legs from hurting at night?

In the case of adults with growing pains, rule out other potential causes.

Adults are more likely to have a condition such as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia as the root of their “growing pains.”

If you truly have growing pains, then many of the same natural remedies for growing pains mentioned above will apply to adults, too.

Growing pains treatment: diet

Food is medicine, and the case of growing pains is no exception.

Since vitamin B6 deficiency is linked to growing pains, be sure to include foods rich in vitamin B6, like:

  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Beef
  • Salmon
  • Spinach
  • Asparagus
  • Yams
  • Broccoli

Bone broth with its high collagen content is beneficial for healthy tissue development and may help to avoid or alleviate growing pains. A hydrolyzed collagen supplement works too.

Some parents have also found that removing dietary inflammatory triggers such as sugar, gluten, and artificial sweeteners from the diet helped reduce their child’s growing pains.

If growing pains are connected to intense physical activity, electrolytes can also help. Coconut water will quickly boost electrolytes.

And on the topic of electrolytes – do bananas help growing pains? They might.

Bananas are high in potassium. So, if low potassium is part of the problem, bananas may help stop growing pains. Some dried fruits such as dates and prunes, cooked spinach, cooked broccoli, and sweet potatoes are also good sources of dietary potassium.

Growing Pains Treatment | The Family That Heals Together

Conclusion

Growing pains are unpredictable. Your child may or may not have them. Ensuring your child is well nourished with all the right vitamins and minerals can help.

So can good nutrition and a few home remedies.

Bonus: Many of the supportive tips to get rid of growing pains will also support your kid’s overall health.

What growing pains treatment options worked for you? Share in the comments below!

By: Rheagan · Filed Under: Blog, health, Remedies · Tagged: children's health, essential oils, growing pains, homeopathy, magnesium

May 9, 2018

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy has been garnering more and more attention as its popularity spreads. And with good reason – it is convenient, safe, effective, and affordable. So what is homeopathy? Contributor Rheagan will tell you all about it below!

What is Homeopathy? | The Family That Heals Together

What is homeopathy and what does it do?

Homeopathy is a unique form of energy medicine discovered/founded by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, in the late 18th century. This system of medicine is based on the premise of “like-cures-like,” otherwise known as the law of similars.

This law of similars was known to Hippocrates and Paracelsus, and several traditional cultures have used this principle in their healing practices, but it was Dr. Hahnemann who developed it into the system of medicine we know today as homeopathy. The term homeopathy literally means same (homoios) suffering (pathos).

The terms “homeopathy” and “homeopathic” are often erroneously used interchangeably with terms like “holistic” or “natural.” While homeopathy is a form of holistic or natural care, not all natural or holistic remedies are homeopathic. To be considered homeopathy, a remedy must adhere to the law of similars.

For example, elderberry syrup is a great natural remedy, but because it is not utilized in a like-cures-like manner, it is not homeopathic.

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy utilizes remedies formulated from various substances found in the plant, animal, and mineral kingdoms which are then diluted to “potentize” them.

The more diluted a remedy is, the stronger its effect on the body. As the physical aspect of the remedy is weakened (through dilution), the energetic properties are heightened.

Each remedy has a symptom picture which is matched to the symptoms of the person seeking relief. This picture is established through a series of scientifically documented processes called a proving. The proving reveals what symptoms the remedy can cause in a healthy person. This then correlates with the symptoms it can relieve in a person suffering dis-ease (like-cures-like).

How does homeopathy work?

Homeopathy works by matching a remedy to the symptoms, whether physical or emotional, that someone is experiencing. One looks at the whole picture of the person and compares it to the whole picture of the remedy. Even tiny details that one may not think are relevant can make the difference between the correct match or not.

For example, a common remedy for the common cold is allium cepa and one of its chief indications is nasal discharge that burns and causes a raw upper lip. Conversely, euphrasia, another common cold remedy, is indicated by the lack of burning from the nasal discharge.

While trying a poorly-matched remedy won’t cause harm, it will not provide relief of symptoms.

Homeopathy can also be used for deeper healing, often referred to as constitutional care. In this case, a single remedy is matched to the person as a whole. This is best done under the care of a trained homeopath.

Homeopaths undergo extensive education and training to practice. These skilled professionals are trained and experienced in taking a complete case of a person seeking treatment and will know best what to look for when matching a remedy.

What are the benefits of homeopathy?

The benefits of homeopathy are numerous. Here are a few:

  • Homeopathy is safe for all ages, from newborn to 100+, though it would be best to seek the care of a homeopath when seeking treatment for very young babies as their vital force tends to be more sensitive.
  • Treatment is perfectly customized for each individual, no matter the issue at play.
  • Remedies are accessible and inexpensive.
  • Remedies are also easy to administer.

What can homeopathy be used for?

Because homeopathy works by addressing physical and emotional symptoms, the underlying diagnosis does not have much bearing on treatment, so homeopathy can be used for anything from acute annoyances to deep-seated chronic issues.

What is Homeopathy? | The Family That Heals Together

Types of homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic remedies come in several different formats.

Pellets- the most common and most easily available remedy. Homeopathic pharmacies buy or make blank pellets made of sugar, and then coat the pellets with the liquid remedy. Once dry, the pellets are packaged in plastic or glass bottles or dispenser tubes.

Since the remedy is on the outside of the pellet, it is important not to handle the pellets to avoid the risk of the remedy rubbing off. Pellets are said to be more resistant to the negative effects of travel than tinctures, so that may be something to consider if you know you will be travelling with your remedies frequently.

Tinctures- also popular, but harder to come by, are tincture remedies. These are made with water or alcohol and often have to be ordered from a homeopathic pharmacy. Often easier to administer to young children and those with physical limitations, wet remedies (also known as water doses) are said to be slightly stronger than dry dose pellets.

Topical remedies- Homeopathic remedies can also be applied topically. Arnica cream is a common and popular example of this application. A remedy can be applied directly to the site of injury or complaint. Try this arnica cream.

When a remedy is needed for more systemic use but oral administration is not an option, a wet remedy or pre-prepared cream can be applied to pulse points of the body, such as behind the knee or the inside of the wrist.

Paper remedies- not so well-known and often harder for our allopathically-trained minds to grasp. Since homeopathy is an energy medicine, and the remedies are so diluted as to not contain any of the original substance past 12C potency, remedies can also work by intention. The mind leads and the emotions and body follow.

For a paper remedy, the name of the remedy is written on a piece of paper which is then carried in the pocket or held under a glass of water to be sipped. The energetic properties of the remedy are imparted to the water being consumed as the remedy itself. While certainly handy to use in a pinch, the effects of a paper remedy are said to wear off sooner than that of a physical remedy.

Remedies similar to homeopathy

Flower essences are a close cousin to homeopathy. While not homeopathic in that they are not administered under the like-cures-like premise, they are another form of energy medicine.

Dr. Edward Bach who discovered the flower essences was himself a homeopath, but his work with the flower essences focused solely on flowers and transmuting their energy to the remedy and addressing the emotional field rather than the physical one. We like Bach Flower Remedies. Scroll down here to learn more about them.

Cell salts are another remedy similar to homeopathy. Developed by Dr. Wilhem Schuessler in the 19th century, these are 12 homeopathically-prepared remedies of the 12 inorganic mineral compounds (“salts”) necessary for cellular health. While not necessarily administered under the law of similars, cell salts can help address a variety of physical and emotional complaints by promoting the balance of these salts in the body. Buy cell salts here.

How long does it take for homeopathic medicine to start working?

Homeopathy can work in seconds or it can take years. It depends on the circumstances and what you are expecting from your remedy. A really good constitutional remedy should begin to alleviate symptoms fairly quickly, sometimes within days, and then continue to have a positive effect over time.

Considerations and contraindications

Homeopathy will not interfere with other medications, but some people may experience sensitivities to the base material of the remedy. Many homeopathic pellets use lactose in their formulation. For those with dairy sensitivities or allergies, this can be problematic. In this case, it is best to seek pellets made with sucrose instead.

While antidotes to homeopathy are a debated topic amongst homeopaths, certain environmental influences have been reported by some to hinder the effects of homeopathic remedies. Direct sunlight, high heat, and strong odors can be problematic, as well as essential oils, particularly peppermint.

Camphor and menthol may also antidote remedies, so you may need to consider switching toothpaste and mouthwash and avoiding throat lozenges, as well as using caution with topical applications such as Tiger Balm, vapor rub, or other preparations containing essential oils. Coffee has been known to antidote remedies, so consider the timing of when you take your remedy with respect to your morning cup of coffee (or consider opting for a bulletproof tea latte instead).

X-ray does not appear to be problematic to homeopathic remedies, but electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been known to antidote remedies, including ultrasound and MRIs. Take care to store your remedies away from sources of EMF exposure (WiFi router, cell phone, etc.) and be prepared to re-administer a remedy following exposure to ultrasound or MRI. (source)

Is homeopathy right for you?

Homeopathy is an alternative healing modality that can be used whether you’re battling an acute or chronic condition.

For those seeking to expand their healing journey, homeopathy deserves consideration. It is safe, convenient, easy to use, does not interfere with other allopathic treatments or medications, and can be very effective when used in conjunction with other diet and lifestyle adjustments to promote health and healing. As with any new therapy, it is best to consult with a trained professional for input on your unique considerations.

We suggest The Complete Homeopathy Handbook to learn more about how to treat your family using homeopathy. Buy it here.

By: Rheagan · Filed Under: Blog, health, Remedies · Tagged: energy medicine, health, herbal, homeopathy, kids health, natural remedies, women's health

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