After putting in the hard work and acing tryouts, it’s time to make sure your student athlete is healthy enough to play. Luckily, getting a sports physical is a relatively painless process, and you can even take your student athlete to a chiropractor or acupuncturist to get a physical instead of a traditional doctor. What does a sports physical involve? Keep reading to find out.
What Does a Sports Physical Involve?
Questions About Medical History
One thing you can expect at a sports physical is to help answer a lot of questions. If your student athlete is seeing the doctor that is performing the sports physical for the first time, it’s important to come along. You can answer the questions that your student is unsure about. The doctor might ask you whether or not your student athlete experiences the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath, especially during exercise
- Dizziness or fainting spells
- Frequent headaches
- Body image issues that affect your eating habits
- Vision problems
- Skin issues
- Severe allergies
The doctor might also ask about any past surgeries or injuries, prescriptions, and whether or not anyone in the family experienced heart issues or sudden death before age 50.
The Check-Up
Beyond the round of questions, what does a sports physical involve? The doctor or an assistant will check your student athlete’s height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure. He or she might perform other examinations as well:
- Listening to the heart with a stethoscope
- Checking his or her ears, nose, and throat
- Testing reflexes
- Examining the spine and posture
- A vision and/or hearing test
Based on the physical results and health history, the doctor may refer your student athlete to another physician for additional testing before being cleared to play.
Understanding the Results of Your Physical
Oftentimes, you’ll get the results of your student athlete’s physical before you even leave the doctor’s office. If your student athlete doesn’t pass the physical the first time, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she will have to sit on the bench for the entire season. However, you may need to take your student to see a specialist to receive certain treatments or take medications before you can participate. Your doctor might also be able to teach your student athlete certain stretches that can help with injury recovery. Remember that good doctors have your student’s best interest in mind.
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Many people aren’t aware that a generalist physician isn’t the only type of doctor who can administer a sports physical. If you live near Springfield or Weaubleau, Missouri, and you have a student athlete, reach out to Loehr Chiropractic & Acupuncture. At both locations, our experienced doctors can perform sports physicals to ensure your student is in the right shape to perform. We’re fully committed to delivering top-notch patient care. That’s why we provide a variety of natural health options for athletes, including sports massage, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and nutritional services. Contact us today to explore the possibilities and request an appointment.
