Why Your Child Needs School and Sports Physicals
School and sports physicals are required for your child to attend school or if your child wants to play a sport. These physicals are important to ensure your child is healthy enough to attend school or to play a sport.
How School and Sports Physicals Can Help Your Child
School and sports physicals are the perfect opportunity for your pediatrician to monitor your child’s health regularly. Physical examinations are a proactive step to keep your child healthy, by identifying potential issues early when they can be easily treated.
What to Expect During a School Physical
A school physical with the pediatrician is typically performed every year, before or at the start of the school year. There are several steps involved in a school physical, including:
- Recording your child’s height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and other vital information
- Discussing any medical issues, injuries, or illnesses your child has experienced recently
- Performing a physical examination of your child, which also includes the eyes, nose, throat, and ears
- Checking your child’s vision and hearing
- Discussing any potential medical issues which may come up when your child attends school
- Administering required and recommended immunizations for your child to attend school
What to Expect During a Sports Physical
A sports physical from your pediatrician is typically performed before your child begins to play a sport. A sports physical has many of the same steps as a school physical and also includes:
- Assessing your child’s balance, reflexes, flexibility, and strength
- Discussing any potential symptoms like chest pain, breathing problems, or dizziness which can occur with activity
- Assessing whether your child is healthy enough to play a sport
- Ensuring your child is current on recommended and required immunizations
Want to Know More about School and Sports Physicals?
To find out more about school and sports physicals and what to expect, call Dr. Reema Mohammed at Midwest Care Pediatrics serving Villa Park, IL. You can reach her in the office by calling (708) 795-5502, so call today.