If your child plays sports at school or in an organized league, it’s important they undergo a physical before the start of each new season. At Solace Family Healthcare, family practice and urgent care provider Tracy Underwood, FNP-BC, and the team provide sports physicals to students in the Tri-State area. When your child needs a sports physical, walk-in into the office in Cumberland, Maryland, at any time.
request an appointmentWhat is a sports physical?
A sports physical is a quick, outpatient procedure that assesses your child’s or teen’s general well–being. The team at Solace Family Healthcare also provides sports physicals for college athletes.
A sports physical uses an exam, lab work, and other preventive screening tools to ensure your child is healthy enough to participate in sports or other strenuous activities.
In addition, sports physicals educate your child on the importance of warming up before exercise, practicing proper form, and wearing the necessary safety equipment. The team at Solace Family Healthcare can also make recommendations that reduce your child’s risk of injuries.
What happens during a sports physical?
At Solace Family Healthcare, a sports physical involves several steps:
Discussion of your child’s lifestyle
First, your child’s provider asks about their lifestyle and general health, including if they have any underlying health problems, if they take any prescription medication, and the type of sports they play. Your child’s provider also asks about their diet, sleep habits, mood, and behavior.
Physical exam
Next, your child’s provider performs a physical exam. They check your child’s blood pressure and weight, test your child’s vision, check their heart, lungs, organs, abdomen, and throat, and evaluate your child’s reflexes, muscle strength, and flexibility.
Lab work
Your child’s provider also orders lab work, including blood tests and urinalysis. These screenings can identify underlying issues, like nutritional deficiencies.
Patient education
After gathering a complete picture of your child’s health, the team at Solace Family Healthcare makes recommendations to reduce the risk of injury and enhance their performance on the court or playing field.
Often, that includes tips for warming up and cooling down, stretches and strengthening exercises to increase circulation, and tips for encouraging the body’s recovery after exercise.
Why are sports physicals important?
Sports physicals are important because they can alert you to potentially serious health problems you might not know about otherwise. For example, if your child has asthma, it might interfere with their ability to run, jump, or play sports. Treatment with an inhaler can reduce flare-ups and help your child participate in the activities they love.
What if my child’s sports physical finds a problem?
If the team at Solace Family Healthcare finds a health problem that increases your child’s risk of a sports- or activity-related injury, they might recommend:
- Conducting more tests
- Prescription medication
- Scheduling a follow-up exam
- Enrolling your child in physical therapy
Ultimately, the goal of treatment is to improve your child’s physical performance and prevent an injury.
If your child needs a sports physical, walk into Solace Family Healthcare during normal business hours today.