School, Church Mission, and Sport Physicals
A physical is a necessary part of growing up. It's important for children and adolescents to have regular checkups with their doctor to ensure they are staying healthy. There are many reasons why a child or adolescent might need a physical, including going to school, participating in sports, or serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This page's content will discuss each of these reasons in detail and explain what goes into a medical physical.
Going to School
A physical can help make sure your child is healthy before they start their educational journey. During the physical, your doctor will check for any conditions that may affect learning or performance in class. This includes checking height and weight, development, and overall physical and mental health.
Physicals help identify areas of concern that may make it harder for your children to succeed at school, such as hearing or vision problems, heart or breathing problems, or preventable illnesses. By getting a yearly check-up, you can help make sure your child is in the best place with their mental and physical health to have a successful school year!
Participating in Sports
If your child is involved in sports, they will often be required to have a physical prior to participating. During the physical, your doctor will check for any medical conditions that may affect their performance or put them at risk of injury. The doctor will also evaluate flexibility and muscular strength.
Consequences of not getting a physical before participating in sports can range from not being allowed to participate in the sport, to getting injured due to an undiagnosed medical condition. For example, if an adolescent was not screened for heart issues during their physical, they may be more susceptible to cardiac arrest while playing a sport. Because of this, it is important to make sure your child or adolescent has a physical before they participate in any sport.
Church Mission
If your child is going on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they must have a medical physical before their departure. This ensures that they are healthy enough to handle the rigors of missionary work and able to serve faithfully for 18 months.
Consequences of not getting a physical before going on a mission can range from not being allowed to serve, to getting injured or ill while in the field. For example, if an adolescent was not screened for mental health or physical issues during their examination, they may be more susceptible to health problems while serving. Because of this, it is important to make sure your child or adolescent has a physical before their mission.
What Does a Medical Physical Entail?
A medical physical includes a comprehensive examination by your doctor. This typically includes assessing vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate; measuring height and weight; checking for any skin abnormalities; and conducting tests to check reflexes, muscle strength, posture, range of motion, and more. Your doctor may also order lab work or imaging if they feel it is necessary.
Overall, it is important for children and adolescents to have regular checkups with their doctor to ensure they are healthy and able to participate in normal activities. This includes getting a physical before going to school, participating in sports, or serving a mission. A physical can help diagnose any underlying medical conditions and help keep your child safe from getting injured or ill.
Schedule an Appointment
At Rexburg Pediatrics, we understand the importance of physical health for children and adolescents. That's why we recommend that all children and adolescents receive regular physicals to ensure they stay in good health. Our team of physicians and staff are dedicated to providing comprehensive physical examinations for your child or adolescent.
If you would like to schedule an appointment for your child or adolescent to receive a physical examination at Rexburg Pediatrics, please contact us today. Our friendly staff is here to answer any questions you may have about our services and medical procedures. We look forward to helping you provide your loved ones with the best care possible!