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Quick, thorough pre-participation physical exams for student athletes of all ages.
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 specialized musculoskeletal expertise to every sports physical. As chiropractors, we are uniquely trained to evaluate joint function, posture, and movement patterns, giving your young athlete a more thorough screening than a standard check-the-box exam. If we identify any concerns, we can recommend sports chiropractic care or further evaluation right away.
Walk-ins are welcome during regular office hours, and appointments are available for families who want to plan ahead. We make the process quick and easy so your athlete can get cleared and back to the field.
We review your child's medical history, current medications, past injuries, and any family health concerns that may affect athletic participation.
A hands-on exam covering vital signs, cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal function, vision, and overall physical readiness for sport.
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.
Blood pressure, heart rate, and baseline measurements to ensure your athlete's cardiovascular system is ready for physical activity.
Joint stability, muscle strength, and structural alignment checks to identify any underlying issues that could lead to injury.
Heart and lung auscultation to screen for murmurs, irregular rhythms, or breathing concerns that may require further evaluation.
Basic vision and hearing screening to ensure your child can perform safely and respond to coaching cues on the field or court.
Assessment of key joints and muscle groups for tightness or imbalances that could increase injury risk during competition.
Identification of prior injuries, movement compensations, or biomechanical patterns that may predispose your athlete to re-injury.
Any student athlete participating in organized sports should have a current physical on file. Common situations include:
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.
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:
Most sports physicals run about 30 minutes. The visit is structured to be efficient for healthy athletes while still catching the issues that should be addressed before season starts.
Before treatment
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 treatment
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 treatment
Any history items requiring follow-up are flagged here. Most athletes proceed to the physical exam without delay.
Before treatment
Athletes change into shorts and a t-shirt for accurate musculoskeletal assessment. Parent or guardian is welcome to remain in the room.
During treatment
Cardiopulmonary exam, vision check, orthopedic and neurological screen, joint range of motion, and a sport-specific functional movement check.
After treatment
Findings are explained in plain language. If everything looks good, we move directly to clearance.
Before treatment
We confirm any school-specific or league-specific forms required and confirm that they will be returned the same day if cleared.
During treatment
All required signatures are completed in office. We document anything that needs follow-up so nothing slips through the cracks.
After treatment
Athletes leave with completed paperwork and clearance, or with a clear next-step plan if additional workup is needed before signing.
For most cleared athletes, the sports physical itself is the end of the visit. 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.
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.
Timing: Day after clearance, return to normal training.
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.
Timing: Specialist visit within 1 to 2 weeks. Return for sign-off the same day clearance arrives.
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.
Timing: Daily corrective drills, 5 to 10 minutes, until preseason.
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.
Timing: Daily, throughout the season.
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.
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.
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 Central, Hazelwood East, and Hazelwood West athletes across all sports. Convenient location for families on the Lindbergh corridor.
Ritenour HS athletes in football, soccer, baseball, and wrestling. Walk-ins welcome during peak preseason weeks.
Parkway North, Parkway Central, and Parkway West athletes. Same-day clearance for healthy athletes is the norm.
Football, basketball, and track athletes from McCluer North. We work with the athletic training staff for preseason coordination when needed.
Lou Fusz, SLSG, and other club athletes whose travel teams require an annual physical. Quick turnaround so tryouts are not missed.
Rec and travel summer league athletes (baseball, soccer, basketball) needing clearance before pickup leagues, tournaments, or showcase events.
College athletes home for the summer who need a Missouri-licensed provider to sign clearance paperwork before reporting back to campus.
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) 393-8390with any questions about your specific school's form.
FAQ
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.
We offer affordable sports physicals at a competitive rate. Many insurance plans cover pre-participation exams. Contact our office for current pricing and to verify your coverage.
Yes, we welcome walk-ins for sports physicals during regular office hours. However, scheduling an appointment in advance is the best way to guarantee minimal wait time, especially during peak back-to-school and preseason periods.
Missouri requires a new sports physical each school year for student athletes. Even if your child plays multiple sports within the same year, one annual physical typically satisfies the requirement for all sports during that school year.
“Honest and upfront”
JC and his team are amazing, caring and professional. They were honest and upfront about what needed to be done to make me feel better.
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