School & Sports Physicals in Pendleton, OR
Your little MVP is ready to hit the field, but have they gotten their annual sports physical yet? Even if they aren’t playing group sports, if your child is participating in any kind of physical activity it’s incredibly important that they visit our office each year for a comprehensive physical exam and health screening to make sure they are healthy enough for certain activities.
What is the purpose of a sports physical?
A sports physical, also referred to by some schools as a pre-participation physical examination (PPE), is a comprehensive health exam to make sure your child is healthy enough to play sports. Your child’s sports physical is typically completed at the same time as their annual well visit.
What is involved in a sports physical?
When your child comes into our office we will take your child’s blood pressure, weight, height, and vitals. We will also perform a quick vision screening. We will go through your medical history and ask any questions about past illnesses, hospitalizations, injuries, or surgeries. Details about your child’s medical history can help us pinpoint possible issues early on so that we prevent complications in the future.
Once we’ve gone through your child’s medical history, we will perform a thorough physical examination, checking heart, lungs, stomach, and musculoskeletal system for any signs of asthma, heart murmur, or past injuries that could impact their ability to play sports.
Why are sports physicals so important for my child?
Detecting health problems through these physical examinations doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t play sports; however, it’s important to identify health issues early on so we can provide them with medication, lifestyle changes, or modifications to their current activities to prevent serious health complications.
For example, a child with asthma may be prescribed a daily and/or a rescue inhaler to help control their symptoms throughout the day, even when playing sports. By providing your child with the medications and treatment they need now, we can prevent serious complications from happening.