Sports & School Physicals
School and sports physicals are an important part of helping your child stay healthy, meet school requirements and participate in activities they enjoy. Whether your child needs a school physical, sports physical or both, OSF HealthCare makes it easy to schedule the care they need so they're ready for the year ahead. Schedule your child's physical today and check one more item off your back-to-school checklist.
How & Where to Get a Physical
With same-day appointments, walk-in care and online scheduling, OSF HealthCare has made getting your child’s physical easier than ever. You may be able to get a sports physical and school physical during the same visit, so let us know in advance if you need both. Sports physicals near you are available for $35 when you self-pay at the time of your appointment. For appointments billed to insurance, standard coverage rates apply.
Choose Primary Care if:
- Your child is due for a vaccine
- You need a school physical near you
- You want to schedule online
- You want to see your primary care provider
Many times, a physical can be completed at an existing appointment throughout the year. Please let us know if your child also needs a school or sports physical at the time of your visit. Otherwise, our offices try to host dedicated events for our patients to obtain physicals during the summer months.
Choose Urgent Care if:
- Your child doesn’t need any vaccines
- You need a sports physical near you
- You want a walk-in or next-day appointment
- You want to save your spot in advance or schedule online
Why does my child need a physical?
Schools often require students to get physicals before class starts each year. This helps you and your child’s teacher know that your child is healthy, developing properly and well enough to be around other children.
It’s also common for kids to need a physical before they begin a new sport. In this case, you and your child’s coach want to be sure they don’t have any health issues that make playing sports dangerous. Even when a child seems perfectly healthy, they can have a hidden health issue. That’s why it’s important to take your child for their physicals even if they don’t have symptoms of an illness or injury.
What happens at a school or sports physical?
School and sports annual physical exams are very similar, although there are a few differences. If you have any questions about your child’s physical, your pediatrician or provider’s office are always happy to answer them.
School Physical
During a school physical, a provider will check the student’s:
- Ears, nose and throat
- Heart, lungs, skin and other major organs
- Height and weight measurements
- Medical history, such as allergies, prior injuries, sleeping habits, eating habits and any health concerns
- Menstruation history, if applicable
- Motor skills and reflexes
- Puberty and physical development compared to their age group
- Past and present mental health
- Spine and posture for signs of scoliosis
- Vision and hearing
- Vitals like blood pressure and pulse
We also provide required vaccines and may run basic bloodwork depending on your school district’s requirements.
Sports Physical
At a sports physical, a provider will check the athlete’s:
- Abdomen and testicles, if applicable, to screen for signs of a hernia
- Bones and muscles
- Ears, nose and throat
- Flexibility and joint health
- Heart, lungs, skin and other major organs
- Height and weight measurements
- Medical history, such as allergies, prior injuries, sleeping habits, eating habits and any health concerns
- Motor skills and reflexes
- Spine for signs of scoliosis
- Strength and posture
- Vision and hearing
- Vitals like blood pressure and pulse