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Sports

Hurry: Time's Running Out for Physicals

Every student trying out for high school sports needs to present a physical completed more recently than February 2010, per Missouri High School Activities Association requirements.

As many parents shuffle to get their children's sports physicals done before Aug. 8, local medical facilities are doing what they can to be accommodating.

Having current physicals is a mandatory measure for all high school teams, including and ; no exceptions are allowed.

If students do not have their paperwork for physicals to turn in to coaches for team tryouts on Aug. 8, they sit out until they do. Coaches warn that students must participate in a certain number of practices before playing in the first games of the new season, and any day of sitting out can cut it too close for comfort.

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Wildwood Health & Wellness Center, located at 16917 Manchester Rd. (near Cherry Hills subdivision), offers sports physicals for $30. An appointment is necessary, however, the staff said they usually get patients in during the same day with no wait at the scheduled appointment time. Physicals there are completed in about 10 minutes. Their phone number is (636) 458-7787.

Another alternative for sports physicals is offered at , located at 20 Legends Plaza in Eureka. They charge $20 for physicals, of which they give back $10 to the booster club of whatever sport in which a child participates. Patients First staffs take walk-ins during 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and during 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Their phone number is (636) 549-0100.

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This summer, also offered a special service related to sports physicals:  The first 100 online registrations for a school or sports physical cost just a dollar. The normal price at the center is $35. This offer is only for those aged 18 or younger and attending school. The staff indicated that ideally, patients also should bring their vaccination records with them, too. All of these physicals must be pre-registered online using this form.

Walgreens' Take Care clinic in Ellisville at 16105 Manchester Rd. (at the corner of Old State and Hutchinson Roads) offers sports and school physicals for $35 through Sept. 30. Physicals are regularly $60. Visit their website for more details and hours. No appointments are required. Ask about their offer of $30 physicals for a family getting more than one done during the same visit.

The Walgreens' locations in Wildwood and Eureka do not have the medical clinic services.

“This is a busy time for parents and children who are tackling their back-to-school checklists,” said Sandra Festa Ryan, RN, chief nurse practitioner officer for Take Care Health Systems. “Take Care Clinics offer physicals with ease and simplicity for patients and families—ensuring access to trusted clinicians, who can discuss medical history, perform comprehensive exams, administer appropriate vaccinations and provide guidance on living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”

Take Care nurse practitioners and physician assistants reportedly are educated to address sports-specific issues, including injuries and nutrition.

Younger students also add to the challenge of securing appointments at pediatrians' offices because their families also are trying to secure physicals; they are required for students entering kindergarten and sixth grade.

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