Sports and Camp Physicals

Who needs a Sports Physical?sports physicals

  • Everyone playing sports or going to camp! Ideally athletes in need of a sports physical should schedule a visit 6-8 weeks before sports or camp start. This allows plenty of time for further screening and referrals (maybe to PT for a trigger point or knee pain from last season) BEFORE the season starts – making sure your athlete is in top shape to start, not starting behind.

How is this different from a regular check-up or a sports physical at a walk-in clinic?

  • Because your child is an established patient, we are able to pay greater attention to your child’s history (we know they broke their arm in 2014, or that they had asthma when they were younger). We also pay close attention to your family’s history, as sometimes family history is the only clue we may have that a child is at risk for sudden cardiac problems.
  • Some schools will organize sports physicals with “stations” where you see a different provider at each station for different parts of the sport physical. While this may be adequate for some, this is no replacement for a well visit with a provider who is familiar with your medical history that has time to put together the whole picture.

Do I need a separate checkup if I had my regular checkup already?

  • Not necessarily. If your child had a well visit with one of our providers in the past year, Stepping Stone Pediatrics will sign your child’s sports or camp form. We request 3-5 days for paperwork to be completed, as the provider your child saw must be the person signing your child’s form.

How do I schedule a sports or camp physical?

  • If it’s been more than a year since your child’s last physical, give us a call ASAP and let us know you need a sports or pre-camp well visit. Our spring and summer schedules can fill up quickly, and scrambling to get forms completed isn’t fun for anyone (especially for athletes and campers who may miss out as a result).

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Love Dr. Kim! One of the most genuine and thorough doctors I know. I have absolute trust in him when it comes to my children's health.
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