Since August 12th is National Health Center Week, many health centers around the country are providing physicals for students. Whether these students are athletes or not, the importance of annual school physicals remains the same. Get a closer look at why physicals are essential to health here. 

What Makes School Physicals So Important? 

1. Provides General Health Assessments

A school physical involves checking the student’s blood pressure, heart and lung health, and muscle, bone, and joint functions. The doctor or nurse also records their weight and height and examines their vision. If the physical is for a student athlete, it tests the individual’s strength, balance, and endurance. 

Test results provide comprehensive health assessments that determine whether any acute issues or pre-existing conditions are present, such as high blood pressure, flu symptoms, heart arrhythmias, and asthma. Identifying problems early helps parents seek the proper treatment for their children to prevent further, more complex health issues. 

2. Clears Student Athletes for Training

Sports physicals are essential to student athletes' health. An undiagnosed health issue can not only affect a teen athlete’s performance, it increases their risk of injuries. For example, if a runner has undiagnosed asthma, they can experience symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. 

An asthma action plan that includes a rescue inhaler allows them to run without these symptoms. The doctor examining the student might also recommend running in the morning when pollutant levels, which can trigger episodes, are not as high.  

3. Offers a Safe Space for Discussing Mental Health

Teens can experience a variety of issues that compromise their mental health, including those relating to cyberbullying, body image, bullying at school, and peer pressure. Creating a safe environment for kids to discuss their concerns and any mental health issues they are experiencing helps them move past such problems. 

It’s not uncommon for people to speak openly with objective professionals because they worry less about being judged. If a student is dealing with issues affecting their mental wellness, the health expert will alert their parents and provide resources for improving their emotional health, such as support groups and local therapists. 

Northwest Community Health Center in Libby, MT, is celebrating National Health Center week with free sports physicals at the Libby High School Gym on August 9th and the Troy location on August 11th. This local medical center also provides affordable health care services at low or no cost to area residents. Call (406) 283-6900 today to register your teen for a physical or visit the website for service details. Get the latest updates and health tips on Facebook.