Urgent Care for Sports Physical in Rockville, MD

Sports physicals can be performed at various healthcare facilities, including pediatrician offices, family medicine clinics, and urgent care centers. Pediatricians and family doctors are often the first choice for many parents as they are familiar with their child’s medical history and can provide a more comprehensive assessment. However, urgent care centers are another excellent option for sports physicals, as they offer convenient hours and can accommodate a wide range of patients, even outside typical office hours.

Urgent care centers are particularly useful when parents are looking for flexibility, as they offer quick evaluations without requiring prior appointments. These centers are staffed with healthcare professionals who are trained to conduct sports physicals, checking for issues like musculoskeletal problems, heart conditions, and any other potential health risks that could interfere with the child’s ability to participate in sports. They are also a great alternative for families who may not have a pediatrician or family doctor readily available. At Physicians Now Urgent Care in Rockville, MD, Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, provides comprehensive sports physicals. This ensures that your child is fully assessed and ready to safely participate in sports activities.

Your child’s doctor will begin the physical exam with a thorough medical history of illnesses, injuries, or hospitalizations that might prevent your child from participating, or limit the amount of play they can take part in.

During a sports physical, a doctor will:

• Measure height and weight
• Examine the ears, nose, and throat
• Vision test
• Check vital signs (pulse, blood pressure)
• Check joint for strength, flexibility
• Check posture
• Check abdomen
• Screen cholesterol
• Genital exam, depending on the child’s age

A health questionnaire is usually a part of the sports physical exam, which asks questions related to the child’s health history, such as:

• Asthma
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Dizziness or fainting spells
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Frequent headaches
• Eating disorders
• Vision problems (Glasses or contact lenses)
• Epilepsy or seizures
• Bone, spine, or joint injuries
• Allergies
• Liver or kidney problems
• Prescribed medications

A sports physical is crucial for ensuring that your child is healthy and fit enough to safely participate in sports. These exams are designed to evaluate overall health and detect any underlying conditions that might pose a risk during physical activity. The purpose is to ensure that your child can participate in sports without facing undue health risks, such as cardiovascular issues or musculoskeletal weakness, which could lead to injury.

Sports physicals also provide an opportunity for healthcare providers to give advice on injury prevention, exercise, nutrition, and the importance of hydration during sports activities. They allow for updated vaccinations that may be required for school sports and help establish a plan for the physical demands of the season. Additionally, it’s an opportunity for parents to ask questions about maintaining their child’s health and fitness throughout the year, as well as for addressing any concerns that might arise from their child’s sports involvement.

At Physicians Now Urgent Care, Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, is dedicated to providing a thorough sports physical to ensure your child is healthy and ready to excel in sports activities. We make sure your child is physically prepared and informed about how to stay safe and healthy during their sports season.

A sports physical and a regular physical are similar in some ways, but are designed for different purposes. A regular physical is a comprehensive examination that assesses a person’s overall health and well-being. It typically involves reviewing a person’s medical history, checking vital signs, conducting lab work, and addressing preventive care. It’s a broad health evaluation meant to maintain general wellness and address any ongoing health concerns.

In contrast, a sports physical is a more specialized exam focused on determining whether a child is physically fit to participate in a specific sport. The evaluation concentrates on aspects like cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal strength, flexibility, and endurance. It also looks for any signs of conditions that could pose a risk during physical activity, such as asthma, heart murmurs, or joint problems. While both exams assess general health, a sports physical has a more focused approach on athletic performance and injury prevention. At Physicians Now Urgent Care, Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, provides thorough sports physicals to ensure that your child is in good health and ready to safely engage in sports activities. This evaluation is specifically designed to meet the physical demands of athletic participation

Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, ensures a comprehensive sports physical by carefully evaluating each athlete’s unique health history and addressing any specific concerns that could impact their performance or safety during sports. He takes the time to assess vital aspects such as heart health, musculoskeletal strength, flexibility, and overall physical fitness, ensuring that athletes are fully prepared for their sports activities. This approach helps identify any underlying medical conditions that could increase the risk of injury or affect performance.

In addition to the physical examination, Dr. Olisemeka uses a patient-centered approach, discussing injury prevention strategies, nutrition, and overall fitness. He ensures that athletes understand the importance of hydration, warm-up exercises, and listening to their bodies during physical activity. His goal is not only to assess current fitness but also to educate athletes and their families on how to maintain long-term health and avoid injuries throughout their athletic careers.

Dr. Olisemeka’s thorough and personalized approach guarantees that each athlete receives the care and attention needed to be in peak physical condition. At Physicians Now Urgent Care in Rockville, MD, athletes can trust that they are receiving a sports physical that covers all essential aspects of their health, tailored specifically to the demands of their sport.

Contact us today for more information. Our urgent care is conveniently located at 15215 Shady Grove Rd., Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850. We serve patients from Rockville MD, Travilah MD, Lone Oak MD, Colesville Park MD, Redland MD, Darnestown MD, Anscroft MD, and Wheaton-Glenmont MD.