Get a head start on your spring sports or summer camp physical exam
Increasing temperatures means the start of spring sports and registration for summer camp. But many spring sports and summer camps require an updated physical exam in order to register your child. If you already know that your child will need a physical exam for this spring and summer, make sure you get a head start on scheduling your appointment!
When you schedule now, you ensure that there will be no last-minute surprises and that you’ll be able to get your child into their family practitioner before their physical exam is due!
Trust Dr. Wade and his dedicated team at Soma Care in Mesa for your next spring sports or summer camp physical exam. Contact our family medicine clinic to learn more about our services we provide, including physical exams for spring sports and summer camp.
Spring Sports and Summer Camp Physicals
Even if your child has completed their annual exam for the year, some spring sports and summer camps require a sports physical prior to your child’s attendance.
Why does your child need a physical?
Participating in spring sports or summer camps are a great way to keep your child active, social, and spending much-needed time outside. But, oftentimes, those different activities require a physical exam. This is to ensure that your child is healthy enough to participate in that sport or activity safely.
What the family practitioner says about physical exam will make the coach or camp coordinator aware of any problems your child might need help with, including:
- Potential allergies and allergic reactions
- Asthma attacks
- Strains and sprains
- Complications from health problems like diabetes, epilepsy, or heart conditions
- Shortness of breath during exercise or activity
- Vision or hearing problems
- Fainting spells or dizziness
When can you expect a spring sport or summer camp physical?
Usually, the team or summer camp will want the physical exam completed about six to eight weeks before the season starts. This leaves enough time to treat anything your family practitioner might discover during the physical exam, like a referral to a specialist or treatment of a certain condition.
What happens during their physical exam?
Sports and summer camp physicals create an opportunity for the practitioner to go over your child’s medical history. This will ensure that there are no pre-existing conditions that would impact your child’s health or their ability to play sports or attend summer camp. After discussing your child’s medical history, the rest of the physical exam includes a:
- Height and weight check
- Pulse and blood pressure check
- Vision and hearing test
- Inspection of their throat, nose, ears, and reflexes
- Check of their heart and lungs
- Screening or blood test to check levels, including cholesterol and hemoglobin count.
If there are other things your child needs, like any missing vaccinations, that can also be completed at the time of your child’s sports physical. Girls will also have a discussion about their menstruation and boys will have a genital exam to monitor their development and check for hernias. The family practitioner may also order additional blood tests, x-rays, and tests for further evaluation.
Where to get a spring sports or summer camp physical exam.
Your child’s family practitioner is the best place to go for a sports or summer camp physical exam. Just be careful because some clinics have a cut-off date for getting spring physicals to ensure that they have enough time to get the paperwork completed.
You also want to make sure you give yourself enough time to schedule with your child’s family practitioner before the sports physical is due.
What happens after the sports and summer camp physical exam?
At the end of your child’s sports or summer camp physical exam, the family practitioner will determine if your child can play the sport or attend the summer camp. If there are some concerns, this is when the provider may recommend restrictions or modifications to keep your child safe.
It’s Soma Care
At Soma Care in Mesa, we mean just that — Soma Care Our dedicated team, including Dr. Wade, is committed to providing you and your family with the best healthcare, including your annual or sports physical exam. Start making your health a priority today, contact us to schedule your next family medicine appointment!
