Disclosure: I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. All opinions are my own.
Have you noticed how late Labor Day is this year? It’s the latest possible date it can be in September. Know what that means around here? It means my kids get an extra week of summer. An extra week of sleeping in, an extra week of laid back schedules, an extra week of bickering with each other, an extra week of driving me crazy (oops, did I say that out loud?)
Despite the late start to school, Shoo starts soccer practice as soon as we get back to Virginia (yes, I’m hiding out in Wisconsin where the weather is cooler.) And guess what I forgot to have done before we left? Shoo’s sports physical. Actually, in my defense, he’s never needed a sports one before and he hadn’t made the team when we were in for his last doctor’s appointment.
Thankfully, there are options like CVS MinuteClinic. I’ve used them for a camp physical (for me LOL) and they are our go to for things like flu shots and strep tests. Luckily, they also offer Sports Physicals and it’s usually quick and easy to get in.
Even if your child is not required to get a physical, it’s a good idea to get one. First and foremost, it’s important to make sure they’re healthy and cleared to get on the field. Sometimes you find a surprise or two, like your child actually needs glasses. Sports physicals can also help you keep immunizations up to date and provide an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have heading into a new school year.
If you head to the CVS MinuteClinic, their practitioners can:
- Review health history and immunizations
- Perform a thorough physical exam
- Complete and stamp required paperwork
Do you have kids in sports? Shoo has been playing soccer for years, but this year is a whole new level of crazy. I’m not sure I’m quite ready for it. I never planned to be a soccer mom LOL and it’s definitely conflicting with my racing plans. But here we go!
• When starting a new sport, consider a pre-season conditioning program or camp to gradually build strength & endurance (No worries here, Shoo practiced most of the summer)
• Don’t let them jump in too fast – increase intensity, distance or duration of play by about 10% a week. This allows the body to rest, rebuild, recover & avoid injury (As a runner, this sure sounds familiar)
• Avoid cramping before game time and serve main meals 2-3 hours prior. If they really need something before a game, lighter snacks, such as granola bars, can be digested in 30 minutes
• When it comes to injuries, sprains and strains are two of the most common ones, so be sure to know the difference between the two.
• Sprains occur in a ligament (bone connector)
• Strains occur in a muscle or tendon (muscle-bone connector)
Kids can get either one after a fall on the sports field. But with strains, there’s an extra layer ─ they can actually get one just from overuse (like gripping a gymnastics bar or tennis racket). Get it checked out if their pain is severe ─ but if not, here’s how to help give them pain relief, fast:
For the first 24-48 hours, think R.I.C.E. Help your kids:
R = Rest the joint, and keep weight off of it.
I = Ice the area to ease swelling.
C = Compress the joint by wearing an elasticized support bandage from the drugstore.
E = Elevate it ─ keep it up above their heart, especially when they sleep.
Need another reason to head to the MinuteClinic?
Savings!
Don’t forget – you can get $10 off a sports physical from now until 9/7/15 , and a FREE Johnson & Johnson coupon book with $29 worth of savings!
Apparently Johnson and Johnson knows my child – they sent me the value pack of bandaids LOL.
You can find the closest MinuteClinic to you here: MinuteClinic Locations
Are you ready for your kids to go back to school? Will you be juggling kid activities and races this fall as well?
This super late start this year is going to bite all of us in the behind. Teachers, students, and parents are all going to feel the time crunch, especially in the Spring as SOLs approach since there’s no plan for the state to push them back. Thanks Virginia.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…TBT: One Year Ago I Ran My First (And Only) 20k
I don’t even want to think about SOLs. My older son is fine with them, but my younger son has to work really hard and has just started taking them. One less week will not help him…
No kids for me, so not something I have to worry about. Moms always amaze me with their ability to manage all their tasks.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Thinking Out Loud – Finding Focus
My son needed a vaccination our GP didn’t stock, so he went to a clinic like this. And just last week he had an ear infection. Was in and out in less than 30 minutes – that would never happen at a doctor’s office! (And since he’s older the minute clinic was fine).
Coco recently posted…Blogging With Integrity
Yep, it’s definitely better for older kids and adults than for little ones.
Well….as a NP in a pediatric primary care clinic, I have mixed feelings about retail clinics. But I’m glad you have had a good experience with them.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Book Club interview with Stephen Balsamo, author of Marathon Journey, An Achilles Story
My first choice is always our doctor, but sometimes I just need to get a form signed or a simple strep test and it’s more convenient to just drop in to the clinic. I know that they also serve many of the immigrant families around here who don’t have many other options.
I don’t remember needing sports physicals when I was in sports (I don’t have kids, so can’t comment right now) but…..that was 20-some years ago 🙂
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Things You NEED to Know About SeaWheeze
All the schools require them now…
Minute Clinic has been our go to a number of times for sure. It’s great to do for strep tests.
Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Taking Initiative
Totally agree – best option out there for strep tests for us.
I’ve been to the Minute Clinic for Flu Shots! I don’t think they were around when I played sports in school, but that would have been great – I always had to wait forever at the doctor’s office.
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…The Boyfriend Chronicles: The Great Debate
They are awesome for flu shots. Much easier than trying to get dr’s appointments.
Great tips. We don’t have CVS out here but I’m sure there might be similar services. Thanks for sharing.
Ivanna recently posted…Laura’s Lean Beef Organic Beef Jerky Review (Try This Thursday)
My kids played soccer for years and never needed a physical. That’s just crazy! Surely most kids can cope with the demands of an hour or so of training a couple of times a week plus a match.
Char recently posted…My Bodytrack Experience
The schools require them, so maybe the teams just make all age groups do it.
I had no idea CVS had these clinics! I am so happy that Mini #1 has gone back to school it makes things so much more relaxed around here!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Thinking Out Loud: Like mother like son, exotic fruits and SUP!
They are awesome, especially with older kids where you want them to miss as little school as possible.
Great tips! I live by Neosporin.. I don’t have kids (yet) but I’m a big klutz and often manage to get qquite a few scratches/scrapes!
Liz recently posted…3 Ingredient Peanut Butter ‘Ice Cream’
It’s a frequent use item here too LOL.
Jelly of your kids not going back for awhile. Mine go next week. 🙁
We have a regular doc I love but Thing 1 really likes this type of clinic for her sports physicals. Super easy to get in and no “paper dress” as she call it.
Marcia recently posted…Thinking Out Loud: Truths
I’m kind of ready for them to go back. I have a hard time finding things to do with them that they both enjoy.
We have an awesome doctor and see her regularly, but it’s nice to have options when we can’t get in as fast as we need to.
Great tips! I hope your son has a great soccer season!
Janice @ Fitness Cheerleader recently posted…5 Things I Learned About My Eating Habits from MyFitnessPal
Thanks! Should be fun.
My kiddos are little so we just have one day of 3 year old preschool and not really any “serious” activities. I try not to put them in too much because I know we will have the rest of our lives to run from one activity to the other.
Hollie recently posted…Friday’s Five Favorites #30
Yeah, my kids are a lot older, so even just their school activities keep us busy.
Great tips. Love that CVS has a minute clinic. Have ag reat soccer season! 🙂
rachel recently posted…First Day of School
The Minute Clinic has totally saved us a few times.
Great tips! I work in a college athletic dept. and these could apply to our students too haha. So many don’t train over the summer then come to practice the first day wanting to go all out (and are shocked when they can barely run 2 miles haha). They need to learn to stay fit throughout the summer!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…Chicago Marathon Training Week 10
I’m bad about this too. Shoo is usually super active on his own, so I don’t worry too much about him.