Helping Children & Teens Move with Confidence
Growing bodies have unique needs, and pain or injury in children and teenagers doesn’t always show up or behave the way it does in adults. It can affect far more than sport – school, sleep, confidence and everyday activities can all be affected too, which is why getting the right support early makes such a difference. We always start with a thorough, age-appropriate assessment, so we can understand exactly what’s going on and reassure both you and your child about what happens next.
Many aches and pains in children and teenagers are linked to normal growth, particularly during rapid growth spurts when bones can grow faster than the surrounding muscles and tendons can keep up with. This is especially common in young athletes who play sport regularly, where growing bones, changing coordination and training load can all combine to cause pain around the knees, heels or hips.
Here are some of the most common causes of pain and injury we see in children and teens:
- Growing pains, most common between ages 3 – 12 and usually harmless
- Sports injuries, including sprains, strains and overuse injuries
- Growth plate irritation, such as Osgood-Schlatter disease (knee) or Sever’s disease (heel)
- Muscle imbalances or coordination changes during rapid growth spurts
- Overtraining or a sudden increase in training load, especially with early sport specialisation
- Postural strain from screen time, heavy backpacks or long periods sitting
- Hypermobility, which is common in growing children and teenagers
- Traumatic injury from falls, collisions or contact sports
Most pain and injury in children and teens responds well to the right advice and treatment. Getting an early, accurate assessment helps prevent small niggles from turning into bigger problems, and helps your child understand what’s going on in a way that makes sense to them. See NHS guidance on growing pains for further reading. Connie Caplen and Sophie Grimes have both completed additional training through Kids Back 2 Sport and are listed on their practitioner directory, supporting our evidence-based approach to assessing and treating musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries in children and teenagers.
Why Choose
goPhysio
Took my 16 year old son to goPhysio – Will was very thorough with the consultation before taking out some of the tension in his back. He also gave him some exercises and stretches to do at home. Would highly recommend.
Jo
Why Families Choose goPhysio
Our team includes practitioners with specialist training in treating children and teenagers, including additional certification through Kids Back 2 Sport, supporting an evidence-based approach to young people’s musculoskeletal problems and sports injuries. Treatment may include:
- Age-appropriate hands-on treatment tailored to your child’s stage of growth
- An individual exercise and rehab plan that fits around school, sport and family life
- Guidance on training load, technique and recovery for young athletes
- Clear advice for parents on managing symptoms at home and when to seek further help
- Support to return to sport, PE and everyday activity safely and with confidence
The goal throughout: help your child feel understood, reassured and back to doing the things they enjoy, without unnecessary time off school or sport.
Not sure what to do next?
- Ready to get started? → Book Your Child’s Assessment
- A sport-specific injury? → Read About Sports Injuries
- Trouble linked to running or training load? → Read About Running Injuries
- Want to understand this in more depth? → Why Do Children Get Sports Injuries? Parent’s Guide