As the school year approaches, and pre-conditioning season beings, coaches and organizers start putting together schedules for upcoming sports.  At the same time, parents being making plans to bring their student-athletes back and forth between school, games, and practices.

To make your fall athletics safe and more manageable it’s important to get physicals performed as soon as possible.  Even if your child gets their annual physical administered, a sports physical further assesses your child for underlying health conditions that may affect or interfere with their sports performance.

Why does my child need a sports physical?

Every child should have a yearly checkup with a pediatrician or family medical doctor to monitor growth and development.  Your child is constantly growing and developing, and results from their exam in previous years could differ from an exam they would have administered today.

A sports physical also evaluates your child’s current health from an athlete’s perspective.  An injury they had last year might have seemed to heal, but strenuous activity could potentially cause further, irreversible damage if not treated effectively.

Even if your child’s sport does not require a physical, it’s still a good idea to get one to check for underlying health issues.

When should I get my child’s sports physical administered?

Unfortunately, busy work schedules and limited appointment availability can make it a hassle for parents to book a yearly checkup with their child’s pediatrician.  If your child needs a physical before the start of the school year or their sports season, AFC Urgent Care Watertown provides walk-in availability for back to school physicals and fall sports physicals.

AFC Urgent Care Watertown is open seven days a week, making it easy to come in when it’s most convenient for you.  Not only do we provide convenient walk-in physicals, you can also check-in online for a time that works with your schedule.  For more information about sports physicals, or other services we provide, please call us at 617-923-2273.