School physicals are an important part of every child’s preventative care. They ensure your child is developing properly and that there are no serious medical conditions to be concerned with. If your child has never had a school physical before, there are certain things you should know before going that we will talk about here. AFC Urgent Care Paramus provides school physicals for all children who need them. Visit our center today to receive one with no appointment necessary.
What is the purpose of a school physical?
School physicals are often required for children to begin school or to participate in sports. At AFC Paramus, we provide convenient and affordable care for all families. Our on-site lab allows test results to come back within 15 minutes to ensure you are back to your busy schedule.
School physicals are designed to help catch potential serious medical concerns before they become too serious. Certain concerns such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, and obesity can all be addressed at AFC Paramus during these physicals. Our providers will be able to recommend the best steps to take to reduce any risk of serious complications. They are also meant to ensure your child can properly participate in any sport or extracurricular activity they may want to.
What is included in a physical?
Certain schools may have different requirements for their physicals. Some basic tests will be conducted regardless of the requirements, however. These tests are done to see if there are any conditions to be concerned about, such as the ones mentioned earlier. Medical history, as well as family medical history, are discussed. Lifestyle concerns will also be addressed, such as smoking or mental health concerns, and vaccination history is also discussed.
From there, vitals will be checked, including blood pressure, temperature, pulse, height, and weight. Our providers will also check the body for any abnormalities, including the neck, limbs, or head. Lastly, reflexing, muscle strength, posture, lung function, and joint health may also be measured to determine the eligibility to participate in sports. Some schools may require vaccine updates, eye exams, or blood work.
How should I be prepared?
All required forms should be brought to your child’s physical exam. If your child wears them, contacts and glasses should also be brought as many physicals require eye exams. If necessary, it may be best to bring a compiled list of family or personal medical history. This can help speed up certain discussion parts of the exam.
