Sports Physicals in Bridgeton, MO
$25 school and sports physicals for student athletes, with online booking.
$25 sports physicals. Book online, answer the MSHSAA history questions from home, and the visit is just the exam.
Book a Sports PhysicalSports Physicals in Bridgeton, MO
A sports physical, also called a pre-participation physical examination (PPE), is required for student athletes before they can compete in organized school sports in Missouri. The exam ensures your child is healthy enough to safely participate in their chosen sport and identifies any conditions that may need attention before the season begins.
At Advanced Wellness Chiropractic in Bridgeton, Dr. JC brings attention to your athlete's health history, joint function, and movement. If an injury or another concern comes up, we discuss whether they need sports chiropractic care or further evaluation right away.
Call to check same-day availability before coming in, or request an appointment ahead of the season. Bring the forms required by your school or league. Clearance depends on the examination; some findings may need further assessment before participation.
How It Works
Health History Review
We review your child's medical history, current medications, past injuries, and any family health concerns that may affect athletic participation.
Physical Examination
A hands-on exam covering vital signs, cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal function, vision, and overall physical readiness for sport.
Clearance & Recommendations
If your child passes, we sign off on the clearance form. If we identify any concerns, we provide recommendations and a plan to address them.
What the Exam Includes
Vital Signs
Blood pressure, heart rate, and baseline measurements to ensure your athlete's cardiovascular system is ready for physical activity.
Musculoskeletal Screening
Joint stability, muscle strength, and structural alignment checks to identify any underlying issues that could lead to injury.
Cardiovascular Check
Heart and lung auscultation to screen for murmurs, irregular rhythms, or breathing concerns that may require further evaluation.
Vision & Hearing
Basic vision and hearing screening to ensure your child can perform safely and respond to coaching cues on the field or court.
Flexibility & Range of Motion
Assessment of key joints and muscle groups for tightness or imbalances that could increase injury risk during competition.
Injury Risk Assessment
Identification of prior injuries, movement compensations, or biomechanical patterns that may predispose your athlete to re-injury.
Who Needs a Sports Physical?
Any student athlete participating in organized sports should have a current physical on file. Common situations include:
- ✓High school athletes
- ✓Middle school athletes joining school teams
- ✓Rec league and club sports participants
- ✓College-bound athletes needing updated clearance
- ✓Athletes returning from injury who need re-evaluation
- ✓Renewals before a new season when your form is due
We recommend scheduling your sports physical at least two to four weeks before the season starts. This allows time to address any findings and ensures your athlete is fully cleared for day one of practice. If your child has experienced a youth sports injury, a sports physical is also a great opportunity to confirm they are ready to return to play.
Is This Service Right for You?
Our sports physical is appropriate for middle school, high school, club, and college athletes who need pre-participation clearance for the upcoming season. Most healthy athletes are cleared on the same visit. Some history points are flagged at the screening and require additional workup before clearance can be signed. If any of the following apply, plan for a longer evaluation or referral first:
- •Known cardiac history without cardiology clearance, congenital heart condition, or prior cardiac procedure. We coordinate with your cardiologist before clearing.
- •Recent concussion not yet cleared by sports medicine or your PCP. Athletes still in the return-to-learn or return-to-play protocol cannot be cleared.
- •Syncope (passing out) episodes, chest pain with exertion, or unexplained shortness of breath. These need workup before clearance.
- •Family history of sudden cardiac death in a relative under 50 or known inherited cardiac conditions (HCM, long QT, Marfan).
- •Active uncleared injury such as a recent fracture, post-op rehab still in progress, or unresolved concussion symptoms.
What to Expect at Your First Session
Most sports physicals run about 15 to 20 minutes. The visit is structured to be efficient for healthy athletes while still catching the issues that should be addressed before season starts.
Health History & Vitals
Before the exam
Bring the school's pre-participation form, parent or guardian if under 18, current medication list, and any specialist clearance letters you already have.
During the exam
We review personal and family medical history, prior injuries, current medications, and supplement use. Vitals taken include blood pressure, pulse, and resting respiratory rate.
After the exam
Any history items requiring follow-up are flagged here. Most athletes proceed to the physical exam without delay.
Physical & Sport-Specific Screening
Before the exam
Athletes change into shorts and a t-shirt for accurate musculoskeletal assessment. Parent or guardian is welcome to remain in the room.
During the exam
Cardiopulmonary exam, vision check, orthopedic and neurological screen, joint range of motion, and a sport-specific functional movement check.
After the exam
Findings are explained in plain language. If everything looks good, we move directly to clearance.
Clearance & Paperwork
Before the exam
We confirm any school-specific or league-specific forms required and confirm that they will be returned the same day if cleared.
During the exam
All required signatures are completed in office. We document anything that needs follow-up so nothing slips through the cracks.
After the exam
Athletes leave with completed paperwork and clearance, or with a clear next-step plan if additional workup is needed before signing.
Aftercare: How to Get the Most from Your Physical
For most cleared athletes, no follow-up is needed after the physical. The recommendations below cover both the rare cases where we flag something at the screening and the simple practices that make next year's exam smoother.
If You Were Cleared: Resume Practice
Most athletes go straight back to scheduled practice the next day. Use the off-season ramp wisely so the first weeks of preseason do not turn into early-season injuries.
- Resume training as scheduled with your team or club.
- Hand the cleared form to your athletic trainer or coach.
- Keep the parent/athlete copy somewhere you can find it.
- Schedule next year's physical 2 to 4 weeks before the next season.
Timing: Day after clearance, return to normal training.
If We Flagged a Concern: Coordinate Care
When a finding requires follow-up, we make sure the next step is clear. We coordinate with your PCP or the appropriate specialist so clearance is not delayed any longer than necessary.
- Schedule the recommended follow-up promptly.
- Bring our written findings to the specialist.
- Return to us with the clearance letter to finalize the form.
- Ask for a temporary modified-activity plan if appropriate.
Timing: Specialist visit within 1 to 2 weeks. Return for sign-off the same day clearance arrives.
Address Movement Findings Before Season
Sometimes the screen is clean for clearance but flags movement issues that increase injury risk in the upcoming season. These are worth addressing now, not after a strain.
- Run the corrective drills we hand off, daily.
- Schedule a follow-up sports chiropractic visit if recommended.
- Talk to your coach about position-specific load management.
- Re-test movement at the start of preseason.
Timing: Daily corrective drills, 5 to 10 minutes, until preseason.
Build the Habits the Form Rewards
Good sleep, hydration, and a smart preseason ramp keep athletes off the injury list. These also keep blood pressure and resting heart rate where they should be at next year's exam.
- Aim for 8 to 9 hours of sleep nightly during the season.
- Hydrate with water plus electrolytes on training days.
- Wear a properly fitted helmet and protective gear at every practice.
- Report any new injury or symptom to a parent, coach, or athletic trainer right away.
Timing: Daily, throughout the season.
A note from Dr. JC
The sports physical is a screening, not a guarantee. If anything new comes up during the season (a strain, a concussion, persistent fatigue, dizziness), do not push through. Athletes who get evaluated early stay on the field longer than the ones who try to tough it out. We are happy to see your athlete in-season for follow-up at any point.
Who We Treat with Sports Physicals in Bridgeton
We see athletes from across North County and the surrounding metro for fast, thorough pre-participation exams. These are the groups that come through most often.
Pattonville High School athletes
Football, basketball, soccer, and track athletes from Pattonville HS. We are familiar with their seasonal forms and can turn paperwork around the same day.
Hazelwood district athletes
Hazelwood Central, Hazelwood East, and Hazelwood West athletes across all sports. Convenient location for families on the Lindbergh corridor.
Ritenour High School athletes
Ritenour HS athletes in football, soccer, baseball, and wrestling. Call ahead during busy preseason weeks.
Parkway district athletes
Parkway North, Parkway Central, and Parkway West athletes. Same-day clearance for healthy athletes is the norm.
McCluer North athletes
Football, basketball, and track athletes from McCluer North. We work with the athletic training staff for preseason coordination when needed.
Club soccer, baseball & basketball
Lou Fusz, SLSG, and other club athletes whose travel teams require an annual physical. Quick turnaround so tryouts are not missed.
Summer league players
Rec and travel summer league athletes (baseball, soccer, basketball) needing clearance before pickup leagues, tournaments, or showcase events.
College transfers needing clearance
College athletes home for the summer who need a Missouri-licensed provider to sign clearance paperwork before reporting back to campus.
Multisport youth & returning-after-injury athletes
Year-round athletes juggling 2 or 3 sports, plus athletes coming back from a prior injury who want a thorough screen before stepping back into practice.
We see athletes from Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, Hazelwood, Florissant, St. Ann, Creve Coeur, and across North County St. Louis. Call (636) 393-8390 with any questions about your specific school's form.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most sports physicals at Advanced Wellness Chiropractic take about 15 to 20 minutes from start to finish. If additional evaluation is needed for a pre-existing condition or prior injury, the visit may take slightly longer.
Please bring a completed health history form (available from your school or athletic department), your insurance card, and a list of any current medications or supplements. If your child wears glasses or contacts, please bring those as well.
Sports physicals are $25 at Advanced Wellness Chiropractic. Book online, complete the MSHSAA health-history questions before the appointment, and bring any school-specific forms that need to be signed.
Sports physicals are by appointment, and we do not take walk-ins. Call (636) 393-8390 before coming in. Same-day physicals depend on the schedule. An online request needs confirmation from the office.
For MSHSAA member schools, By-Law 3.8.1 says the medical eligibility form from a sports physical is valid for two years (730 days) from the date of issue. Other pre-participation paperwork is still updated every year, and the examiner may note a shorter period on the form. Check with your school's athletic department about what it needs this season.
Patients on Their Experience Here
From the first phone call to exception customer service, I would recommend this place 100%.
If you want a Chiropractor that is thorough and on point, he's the one.
Excerpts about the office experience, not evidence of a particular treatment result.
Related Services
Sports Chiropractic
Specialized chiropractic care to optimize athletic performance and accelerate recovery.
Learn MoreYouth Sports Injuries
Treatment for common sports injuries in young athletes, from sprains to overuse conditions.
Learn MorePediatric Chiropractic
Gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic care for children from infancy through adolescence.
Learn MoreBack-to-School Sports Physicals
What North County families should bring, when to book, and how to avoid the preseason rush.
Learn MoreAdvanced Wellness Chiropractic
Book a $25 Sports Physical
Pick a time online, complete the MSHSAA history form from home, and bring any school forms that need a signature. Clearance depends on the examination.
No pressure and no pushy sales pitch, just an honest evaluation and a clear plan. No long-term contract.