Bringing Your Child in for a Sports Physical

Does your child need a sports physical before he or she can participate in an activity or sport? Fortunately, the pediatricians at Tri-Valley Pediatrics in San Ramon and Pleasanton, CA, offer convenient appointments for these physicals.

How sports physicals help your child

Sports physicals help you and the school ensure that your child is healthy enough to safely play sports. The exams can uncover serious issues, like a heart problem or joint instability, that could cause health issues while your child is participating in a sport. During your child's sports physical, the pediatricians in San Ramon and Pleasanton, CA, will also take a look at previous injuries to ensure that they're fully healed.

Luckily, most children who have sports physicals don't have any serious problems and are immediately cleared to play sports.

What does a sports physical include?

Your child's physical will include:

• Blood pressure, pulse, height, weight and temperature measurements
• Vision and hearing screenings
• Evaluations of the flexibility, strength and stability of your child's joints
• Examination of your child's ears, nose, throat, lungs, heart and abdomen
• A posture check

The pediatrician will also review your son or daughter's medical history, including previous illnesses and surgeries, immunizations, hospitalizations, prescription and non-prescription medications, and conditions that run in the family. If your child is overdue for an immunization, it can be provided during the sports physical.

Keeping chronic conditions under control is particularly important for young athletes. Your child's doctor will ask him or her about symptoms and medications for these and other chronic health conditions:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• High blood pressure
• Seizure disorders
• Sickle cell anemia
• Cystic fibrosis
• Diabetes
• Heart, kidney or liver conditions

If the condition isn't currently under control, the pediatrician may change a medication dosage or order a test. He or she can also provide advice that will make playing with the condition more comfortable.

Sports physicals are valid for one year. If your child plays several sports, you'll want to make sure that his or her physical is up-to-date. It's a good idea to make an appointment for a sports physical about 6 to 8 weeks before the expiration of the current physical.

Are you ready to schedule a sports physical for your child? Call your San Ramon and Pleasanton, CA, pediatricians at Tri-Valley Pediatrics to make a convenient appointment. Schedule a visit with the Pleasanton office by calling (925) 460-8444 or call (925) 380-6230 for the San Ramon office.