“It’s back to school time! Between getting the kids ready to go back to the classroom and on to the fields, there’s a lot to get done.
MinuteClinic has all the services you need, from vaccinations and immunizations to sports physicals.”
First of all, in NYC we just got out of school a month ago! And yet I was with my friend Enza over the weekend, a teacher, who starts back to school the first Monday in August. We start after Labor Day! Now that I participate in conversations on Facebook with a national audience, I have come to realize that our country is all on a different schedule. So some folks need to do their back to school shopping and doctor visits immediately! And who knew that you could do so much at CVS’s Minute Clinic? I still cannot get over the fact that you can get physicals and vaccinations there!
Sports Physicals
Did you know that participating in sports can help your child improve performance in the classroom? But first, it’s important to make sure they’re healthy and cleared to get on the field. Sports physicals are a great way to make sure your athlete can safely play. Even if your school doesn’t require it, sports physicals also help to keep immunizations up to date and provide an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have heading into a new school year. Physical activity is important for so many reason for school aged kids, so make sure they are prepared!
How many of us forget the list of concerns we have at every pediatric check-up and then forget these same items as the kids head back to school and engage in various sports activities! This is your reminder!
MinuteClinic practitioners can:
• Review health history and immunizations
• Perform a thorough physical exam
• Complete and stamp required paperwork
I will write this in every Mint Clinic article. Appointments at my doctor can take up to a month to get, and a sick visit may take hours before we are seen. This is why the Minute Clinic is so valuable. The wait time is much, much shorter! And as parents, we do not feel we have an extra minute to wait when it comes to our kids!
Fall Sports Tips:
(After an active summer, make sure to ease your kids back into their sports routine in the appropriate way)
• When starting a new sport, consider a pre-season conditioning program or camp to gradually build strength & endurance
• 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
• Help your kids boost their stamina and include the fit 5 in their diet: quinoa, kale, chia seed, peanut butter & pickle juice.
• 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.
The above are things I have to remember for my own sports activities, why would I think it is any different for my child?
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.
More info on MinuteClinic sports physicals services here:
Back to School Health
Many schools and colleges require that students receive vaccinations including meningitis and pertussis (whopping cough) before attending school. Find out the requirements for meningitis shots in your state here: , and the requirements for pertussis shots here: . Children and young adults are among the highest at risk for meningitis. MinuteClinic can administer meningitis vaccines to anyone over 18 months in most states. Pertussis is a contagious respiratory disease that can cause serious illness, especially in infants too young to be fully vaccinated. To prevent pertussis, infants should be vaccinated as soon as they are old enough.
MinuteClinic recommends that those over 18 should get a booster vaccination immediately if they haven’t received one. More information on vaccines and immunizations here:
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!
You can find the closest MinuteClinic to you here:
Disclosure: I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. All opinions are my own.
Mia says
I think these are all really good things to remember concerning kids and sports. I haven’t heard of Minute Clinic and can see how convenient it would be to use.