I still can’t quite believe that my girls are back in school. The summer has flown by! Last week was the first full week of school and I have been filling out tons of paperwork, including sports forms for my 8th grader so she can try out for soccer and possibly cheer or volleyball.

Luckily both my daughters are up to date on their physicals and immunizations, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that when I’m in a pinch for sports physicals I can head to our local CVS Minute Clinic. Juggling schedules and trying to fit in doctor’s appointments can be a nightmare! CVS has everything we need to get our year started off right, from school supplies to immunizations or sports physicals through the CVS MinuteClinic.

Sports Physicals
Our school system requires that student athletes have a complete physical to make sure they’re healthy and cleared to get on the field. Even if your school doesn’t require them, fall sports physicals also help to keep immunizations up to date and provide parents the opportunity to discuss any health issues or concerns that may have developed over summer vacation.

Did you know that MinuteClinic practitioners can:

• Review health history and immunizations
• Perform a thorough physical exam
• Complete and stamp required paperwork

Need some tips for pre and post game safety to help your kids ease back into their fall sports routine after an active summer?

• 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

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. Last fall my older daughter broke her ankle during a soccer scrimmage, but we initially thought it was a severe sprain.

What is the difference between a sprain and a strain? Sprains occur in a ligament (bone connector), while strains occur in a muscle or tendon (muscle-bone connector), both of which can happen during sports practice or an actual game. 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.

For more information on MinuteClinic sports services click here.

If you head to your local MinuteClinic to get back-to-school ready between now and September 7 you can also get $10 off a sports physical plus you can pick up a Johnson & Johnson coupon book with $29 worth of savings. Find your neighborhood MinuteClinic here: MinuteClinic Locations

Disclosure: I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. All opinions are my own.