Whether it’s baseball, lacrosse, or tennis, lots of sports start in the spring. And with the milder months just around the corner, many parents are getting excited to sign their little ones up for different youth organizations that offer all the fun and exhilaration of competitive sports.
Most sports organizations and schools require a physical before allowing children to participate, and rightfully so. This is because it’s always important to check for any pre-existing conditions that may lead to injury during sports. The medical team at American River Urgent Care located in Orangevale, California, specializes in physical exams, including the exam most teachers and coaches need to clear young people for sports participation. If you’re wondering why sports physicals are so necessary, here are three reasons to get your child checked before playing sports.
Pre-existing conditions won’t necessarily deny your child the joy of participating in sports, but they can cause problems in the future if they aren’t properly uncovered and treated. If your child has sustained an injury from sports or another activity, our team will evaluate the injury site to make sure it won’t interfere with your little one’s ability to participate.
During a sports physical, our medical team checks all the major injury sites (knees, ankles, shoulders, wrists, and neck) and asks about prior or present injuries or pain. If there is a pre-existing injury, the team can recommend a care plan to ensure the injury doesn’t turn into a recurring issue.
Even if your child doesn’t play sports, an annual physical is an important part of maintaining their overall health. Well-child physicals include an in-depth health history and discussion, vital measurements like pulse and blood pressure, and physical measurements like height and weight.
A sports physical ticks all these boxes and more. To clear your child for sports, our medical team checks breathing patterns, muscle and bone health, flexibility and strength, and vaccination history. Older children also receive help determining the best nutrition program for their healthy bodies as well as their participation in certain sports. Whether your child is serious about their competition or just a casual participant, a sports physical will give them everything they need to stay healthy.
Sports physicals will usually give your child the go-ahead to play all year. However, some stipulations may apply when switching from one sport to the next or from school-sanctioned to non-school-related activities, so make sure to ask questions.
If your little one doesn’t pass the physical, don’t fret — our team specializes in custom treatment plans that address these issues. Our dedicated team will begin working on a plan to improve your child’s health so that they will be able to participate in the sport they enjoy as soon as possible. In the meantime, our medical team can suggest alternative sports or activities that your child might love.
To learn more about sports physicals at American River Urgent Care, or to set up an appointment our Orangevale, California office, call 916-287-8569 or make an appointment online today.
