School Physical

 DOES MY CHILD NEED A SPORTS PHYSICAL?

If your child needs to have a physical to participate in sports, you can bring him or her to University Urgent Care. A sports physical will not be as in-depth as an annual physical. Usually, the only requirement that a physician states that your child is healthy and can participate in the requested sport. An annual physical is more involved with your child’s medical and family medical history. However, a sports physical is very limited in what is covered. Your child will still need to have an annual physical because it will focus on all aspects of his or her health. The good news is that we offer both for your convenience.

WHY IS A SCHOOL PHYSICAL IMPORTANT?

Consistent, annual school physicals can allow parents and physicians the opportunity to catch medical conditions that may not have otherwise been realized. Comprehensive school physicals, which thoroughly examine a student’s well-being, allow them to maintain their good health or address declining health. Tests to determine the student’s range of motion, eyesight, hearing, and cognition can help to assure the school/program whether or not the student is healthy enough for vigorous activity throughout the sports season. Furthermore, annual physicals may uncover a silent health condition, allowing it to be addressed and treated before becoming severe.

WHAT TO BRING TO A SCHOOL PHYSICAL

Since each school and sport is different, the student should check to find out what the specific requirements are for their activity. In general, the student should bring all forms that need to be completed so that our University Urgent Care physicians can be sure what exact exams need to be carried out. If the student wears glasses or contacts, they should bring those as well in case their school requires any vision tests. The student or parent should also be familiar with the family medical history before the physical in order to answer any of the physician’s questions.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A URGENT CARE PHYSICAL

While every school or sports program has different requirements for sports physicals, most will include the same basic proceedings that test the health of the student and detect potential medical problems. Medical history will be discussed to give the physician a clear idea of the family’s present and past conditions. Lifestyle and habits, such as smoking and diet, will be discussed, and vaccines will be checked in order to help diagnose current issues and prevent future ones. Depending on the school’s particular requirements, an exam will be conducted along with a vitals check, meaning our physician will take down the student’s pulse, blood pressure, weight and height, respiration rates, and temperature. The physician will then observe the student’s general appearance, including the hair, nails, abdomen, limbs, head, and neck for any abnormalities or physical issues. The physician may test lung function, muscle strength, reflexes and balance, flexibility, posture, and joints.

SCHEDULE YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL PHYSICAL

If your middle or high school-aged student needs to undergo a physical for upcoming athletic participation, University Urgent Care can help. Our convenient location in Fort Worth, combined with our state-of-the-art technology and ER doctors and nurse practitioners, set our urgent care facility apart from other clinics in our area. We can help check this back-to-school item off your list while providing you with comprehensive care in a thorough and time-efficient manner.

URGENT CARE FOR KIDS

University Urgent Care provides comprehensive treatment for children aged 2 and up, catering to a wide range of medical needs. Families can either walk in for immediate care or conveniently schedule an appointment online, ensuring prompt attention to their child’s health. Learn more about our urgent care services for kids here.