School Physical

School and Sports Physicals in South San Antonio – Harlandale Clinic

Need a fast, thorough school or sports physical for your child in San Antonio? At Harlandale Clinic in South San Antonio, our trusted medical providers, Melhem Dandan, MD, FACOG, FAAFP, and Susan Mangum, C-NP, provide comprehensive physical exams for children, teens, and student-athletes of all ages.

We ensure your child meets all Texas school and athletic requirements smoothly. Our physical exams cover a complete medical history review, growth tracking, and thorough evaluations of vision, hearing, posture, heart, lungs, and abdomen. We also help families stay up to date with required school and sports vaccinations and complete all necessary district paperwork efficiently.

To schedule a school or sports physical in San Antonio, call our office at 210-361-5826 or book your appointment online today.

What happens during a school physical?

School physicals are important, not only for your child’s health and safety, but also for teachers. Teachers and other school staff need to know if students have any conditions that affect their ability to participate in educational and athletic activities or that may need special accommodations.

Your Harlandale Clinic provider thoroughly evaluates your child’s overall health, beginning by reviewing their medical history and checking their height, weight, and blood pressure. They also learn about any problems your child may currently have, if they have allergies, or were hospitalized since their last checkup.

Then your provider completes a physical exam, assessing your child’s:

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
• Head and scalp
• Heart and lungs
• Skin
• Abdomen
• Posture

Vision and hearing screenings in Texas are also required within 120 days of entering kindergarten, first, third, fifth, and seventh grades, or any time a child first enrolls in school. 

Does a school physical include vaccinations?

Texas requires all children to have certain vaccinations and to show proof of their vaccination history before entering school every year. The team at Harlandale Clinic is up to date with the requirements and will work soon on providing the vaccinations during a school physical. 

How do sports physicals differ from school physicals?

Any student wanting to participate in sports or extra-curricular activities must have a pre-participation sports physical. This physical differs from a routine school physical because it focuses on ensuring that your child can handle the stress of sports without the risk of injury or health problems.

Your provider carefully examines their bones, muscles, and joints, looking for strength, flexibility, and any signs of pain or inflammation. They also need to know if your child has a history of injuries, illnesses, or health conditions that might worsen if they engage in athletic activities.

Having a health problem doesn’t mean your child cannot play sports. For many conditions, such as asthma, your provider develops a proactive plan that protects them from a sports-related flare-up.

A few examples of conditions that must be properly treated before clearing your child to play sports include skin infections, head injuries, unexplained fainting, viral infections, and any previous sprains or fractures that haven’t fully healed.

If it’s time for your child’s school or sports physical, call Harlandale Clinic or request an appointment online today.