When your bones hurt as a teenager, does it really mean that you're growing or are you just aching from yesterday's run?

I had this discussion at the hospital last week. Apparently its more the muscles and ligaments around the bones that ache when growing fast. The Physio used the term "teenage knees" sadly my daughters isnt growing pains :( But yes the run will make you ache too make sure you warm up and warm down well

Running is a fairly brutal form of exercise that puts some stress on your JOINTS. The harder the surface you run on, the more stress your joints are subject to. Running or other forms of exercise usually attack the muscles first, but prolonged or regular running usually will cause some discomfort to your joints; even if over time. It is generally worse the older you get, and if you ran on a lot of hard surfaces as a younger person it is likely that you'll experience more joint problems as an older person. It is possible that the nerves that run along the bones, from the joints might make it FEEL as if your bones are aching...or you may have bruised a boney area with some sort of blow you now don't remember even getting...it is possible that the nerves in the muscles, surrounding the bones are what is causing you pain now. With regards to a good cardio workout...walking briskly, bike riding, and swimming are the most productive to getting your heart rate up to a good strong "working heart rate" while punishing your joints the very least! Working up to a one hour time span is really going to get you where you want to be for good cardio health! But, make no mistake...even 15 to 30 to 45 minutes each and every day...will make a positive and profound improvement in your general and heart health situation! Don't forget, Genetics also play a part in our general good health and our predispositions to different medical conditions! But, when we combine strength building with a good cardio workout and ADD good nutrition and drinking a healthy amount of water on a daily basis...WE can all support our having better health over all....and we will soon be in pretty tip top shape!

I had a friend who had rapid growth spurts and actually did have bone and muscle pain because of it. "Growing pains" isn't just a euphemism. :)

bones dont hurt when you grow