Q. My 13-year-old daughter is complaining of pains in her legs. She's on break between sports seasons, so it can't be overexertion. Could it be growing pains? Is there such a thing? And what can I do to help her?

A. There is no test, imaging study or biopsy tissue diagnosis for "growing pains," so it's not possible to be certain such a condition exists. Some pediatricians believe growing pains don't exist. On the other hand, I am among the pediatricians who believe that there is such an entity as growing pains.

Growing pains usually occur at night, often in the shins, and the pain is relieved by massage. Parents often get caught in the trap of massaging their teen at bedtime, which guarantees the pains will NEVER go away.

If the massage is helpful, teens should do it on their own.

You can purchase a massage device for your daughter if that seems to help.

Some serious blood and bone conditions can mimic growing pains, so if the condition does not resolve or it worsens, or it seems worse during physical activity during the day, see your physician for an evaluation.

Dr. Loren Yamamoto, vice chief of staff and pediatric emergency medicine director at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children, is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. This column is for general information and is not intended to provide medical advice.