AllCare's Dr. Sylvia Akenji appeared on "The Weekly Check-Up" on October 12 to inform listeners about the importance of having a primary care...
Sports Physicals in Georgia
Athletic leagues and schools often require sports physicals before your child can participate in their favorite activity. At AllCare Primary & Immediate Care, we offer comprehensive sports physicals to assess your athlete’s physical fitness and family history. We offer scheduled primary care physician and urgent care walk-in appointments in one convenient location, so it’s easy for your child to get a sports physical when needed.
The Importance of Sports Physicals:
Our Approach to Physicals for Sports
Undergoing a sports physical may seem unnecessary for athletes who participate in the same sport year after year and receive a clean bill of health. But at AllCare Primary & Immediate Care, we know how crucial a yearly sports physical exam is to ensure your athlete can safely tackle the sport they love. Our dedicated team of urgent care physicians will guide you through the process, answering any questions and ensuring you feel comfortable throughout the exam.
An AllCare physician will provide a thorough examination, including measuring vitals like blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, height, and weight. We’ll complete a systematic evaluation of the heart, lungs, throat, abdomen, ears, and nose. We’ll also check the skin for signs of irritation and allergies. Lastly, we’ll check muscle strength.
If, for any reason, your athlete does not pass the physical or needs further evaluation, we can refer you to one of our on-site primary care physicians for further evaluation or treatment.
Our Health Tests and Sports Physical Exams in Georgia
Blood Pressure Measurement
Measuring your blood pressure is a routine part of a sports physical. High blood pressure can indicate an underlying health issue, including cardiovascular problems, which may prevent or limit your child’s participation in sports. Monitoring blood pressure helps identify hypertension early on.
Physical Examination
During the sports physical, a comprehensive physical examination takes place. This evaluation entails assessing vital signs like heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. Additionally, the healthcare provider will carefully examine your body systems, including the heart, lungs, abdomen, and skin, to identify any irregularities or indicators of potential health concerns that may require follow-up treatment from a primary care physician.
Sports Physical Form
After completing the sports physical, your provider will fill out the remainder of the form. This typically includes documenting the physical examination results, noting any health concerns or conditions that may affect participation, providing recommendations for safe participation, including restrictions and modifications, and signing and dating the form to validate it.
Medical History
This evaluation allows healthcare providers to understand your child’s past and current medical conditions, surgeries, medications, allergies, and family history. Understanding your background enables them to tailor preventative measures and screenings specific to you, ensuring a personalized approach to your healthcare.
Musculoskeletal Exam
A musculoskeletal (MSK) evaluation assesses an athlete’s joints, muscles, and overall musculoskeletal health during a sports physical. This evaluation helps identify any abnormalities or signs of injury that may restrict participation. It can also detect movement limitations in young athletes still developing their musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems.
Vision and Hearing Screening
Vision and hearing tests are commonly conducted during a sports physical. These screenings evaluate visual clarity and identify potential hearing difficulties. By detecting impairments early, prompt and appropriate treatments can be started, ensuring your child can safely participate in the sports season.
Who Can Benefit from Sports Physicals?
Active patients of all ages can benefit from a sports physical. Our sports physical exams are a comprehensive way to determine if you can safely engage in the activities you love. It’s important to note that a sports physical does not replace your annual wellness checkup. While many diagnostic tests are the same, a sports physical focuses on whether you can participate in a sport or activity, not your overall health.
Those who can benefit from a sports physical include:
- Active children of all ages, still run the risk of injury, whether they participate in organized sports or not.
- Teens or adults with previous injuries to determine if the injury has healed properly so they can participate in activities
- School- and college-age athletes are required to have a sports physical to determine if they are fit enough to play sports.
- Adults who are recently returning to an activity after an injury or a long period of inactivity
- Anyone with underlying health conditions, including asthma, a family history of heart conditions, a previous injury, and more.
How Do I Get a Sports Physical At AllCare Primary & Immediate Care?
Sports physicals are important for athletes of any age on and off the field, and they must be completed by an experienced healthcare professional. AllCare offers convenient after-school, evening, and weekend hours that fit your busy schedule so you can get your athlete cleared for activity as soon as possible.
- Come in for Your Appointment: You can schedule your sports physical online or by contacting AllCare. For your convenience, we also offer day and evening walk-in appointments to accommodate your busy schedule.
- Share Your Medical History: During your consultation, provide relevant medical information to help our doctors better understand your medical history, past injuries, and overall health.
- Receive Your Exam: Your exam will consist of several tests that will determine if you are eligible to participate in sports or activities safely. If, for any reason, you require further evaluation, medications, or treatment, we’ll refer you to an AllCare primary physician conveniently located in the same location.
Online Doctor Visits and Telehealth Services
Experience the convenience of telehealth appointments at AllCare Primary & Immediate Care. Our telemedicine services are designed to provide you with seamless access to healthcare without the need to leave your home. Whether you need an online doctor’s appointment for immediate or primary care, AllCare Primary & Immediate Care’s got you covered. With our online telehealth services currently available to individuals located in Georgia, you can connect with our experienced urgent and primary care physicians via secure video calls.
At AllCare Primary & Immediate Care, we are expanding our virtual healthcare access to all services previously offered in person. This includes:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sports physical, and do I really need one?
Many teams and sports leagues require a sports physical before joining any team or program. This examination allows doctors to evaluate an athlete’s health, including previous injuries, check their medical history, and determine whether it’s safe to participate in fitness programs.
How often does my child need a sports physical?
Most sports teams and schools require a yearly sports physical to ensure that your child is still healthy enough to participate in activities., since weight fluctuations and growth spurts may place added stress on joints and muscles.
What questions might a doctor ask in a sports physical?
Doctors will ask questions to give insight into your family history and overall health and wellness. Questions could include:
- How currently active are you?
- What’s your diet like?
- How well do you sleep?
- Are you experiencing any pain or discomfort, particularly during physical activity?
- Do you have trouble breathing when you exert yourself?
- Do you have any previous injuries?
Does my child still need an annual wellness exam?
Yes. While sports physicals can clear your child to play a particular sport, annual wellness exams are a more in-depth evaluation of their overall wellness, growth, and development. During an annual wellness exam, patients also receive necessary immunizations and recommended screening labs appropriate for their age.
Can you fail a sports physical?
While it is possible to fail a sports physical, it’s highly unlikely. If the physician uncovers any issues like high blood pressure or asthma or an injury doesn’t appear to heal properly, they may suggest a follow-up appointment. At AllCare, if we discover anything unusual in a sports physical, we can recommend you to one of our primary care physicians, conveniently located under one roof, for additional testing and treatment.
Prioritize your health today:
schedule your sports physical appointment
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