Humble, TX Sports Physicals Near Me

Visit our urgent care for school & sports physicals in Humble. No appointment is required. Open 7 days a week with extended hours.

The start of a new sports season brings excitement, entertainment and maybe even a little bit of nervousness. Activities and extracurriculars like sports improve mental and physical health and fosters friendships, communication skills and teamwork. Below we explain the importance of getting a sports physical at the start of your sports season.

What to Know Before You Go

• Bring any required paperwork, including a completed health and immunization history.
• If you have a known heart condition or a history of heart problems, please provide written documentation from your primary care provider or specialist confirming that it is safe for you to participate in sports.
• We can only verify immunizations administered at our clinics or with appropriate documentation showing vaccination history.

What is a Sports Physical?

The official evaluation is called a pre-participation physical examination (PPE), but it’s more commonly known as a sports physical. This is an exam that assists in determining whether it is safe for an individual to participate in a certain sporting activity. In states like Texas, and right here in Harris County, children and teens are required to get a sports physical before they can start a new sport or prior to beginning a new season. However, even if a sports physical isn’t required, doctors still strongly advise obtaining one.

A sports physical involves two main parts:

1. Medical History
2. Physical Exam

Medical History

During this portion, your provider will ask about:

• Family history of serious illness
• Current or past health conditions (asthma, diabetes, seizures, etc.)
• Previous hospitalizations or surgeries
• Allergies to food, medication or insect bites
• History of injuries (fractures, sprains, concussions, etc.)
• Episodes of fainting, dizziness or chest pain
• Breathing difficulties during exercise
• Frequent headaches
• Heart, liver or kidney concerns
• Prescription or over-the-counter medications, including natural or herbal supplements
• Mental health concerns (depression, anxiety, perfectionism, stress and attention deficits)

It’s important for a parent or guardian to be present during the medical history portion of the exam, since many children and teens may not know or recall all of their personal or family health details. In fact, most healthcare providers consider medical history to be the most critical part of a sports physical.

Physical Examination

After the medical history portion of the exam, the health care provider will usually perform the following:

• Record height and weight
• Test blood pressure and check pulse
• Perform vision and hearing tests
• Examine heart, lungs, abdominal area, ears, nose and throat
• Test for hernia
• Check muscle strength and flexibility, posture, joints
• Depending on the patient’s age the provider may check cholesterol, hemoglobin count and perform a urinalysis.

For males and females, the physical exam is mostly the same. However, depending on whether the athlete has started or gone through puberty also determines if the physician asks additional questions.

Be prepared for the medical provider to inquire about the use of drugs, alcohol or dietary supplements. This may include the use of weight-loss supplements, steroids and/or other performance enhancers since these can impact an individual’s health.

Honesty is important. While it may seem scary to tell the physician about certain symptoms, ignoring problems could lead to more serious medical issue in the future.

Why Are Sports Physicals Important?

A sports physical helps ensure it’s safe for you to participate by checking for any conditions or past injuries that could put you at risk. During the exam, the provider reviews your medical and family history and may order additional tests if needed.

For example, if a patient has asthma, their provider might adjust their inhaler or treatment plan to better fit the demands of the sport or position on the team. They may also offer training tips, such as specific stretches or strengthening exercises, to help lower your risk of common injuries.

When Should I Book a New Sports Physical?

In most cases, one sports physical each year is all that’s needed. It’s best to schedule the exam six to eight weeks before the season starts. This allows time for your provider to address any concerns, make referrals or schedule follow-up visits if necessary, without delaying the clearance to play. Waiting until the day before practice could mean unexpected issues keep you off the field, which no one wants.

What if There is a Problem After the exam?

After finishing the exam, the provider will usually complete and sign the sports physical exam form, but sometimes they may request additional testing, a follow-up examination or recommend treatment for any medical issues discovered during the exam. It is also possible the health care provider might recommend certain modifications like using special protective equipment, carrying epinephrine shots in case of severe insect allergies or using an inhaler for asthma.

The great majority of health concerns won’t prevent athletes from participating in sports, but occasionally they may need treatment and a follow-up exam to play.

Finally, remember that even if you have a sports physical every season, if it is not a complete physical exam, you should still receive a comprehensive health exam annually.

Need a sports physical? Walk-in today, we have affordable self-pay rates and accept most major insurances.