Sports Medicine & Nutrition
Sports medicine
A pediatric sports medicine doctor specializes in helping children and teens stay healthy and active — whether they’re playing competitively or just having fun.
These providers understand how growing bodies work and how injuries can affect bones, muscles, and joints that are still developing.
We are excited to offer Sports Medicine at Priority Care Pediatrics. These specialists can treat:
- Acute injuries such as: muscle strains, ligament strains, swollen joints, simple broken bones, and concussions
- We also have on-site Exos casting and bracing for simple fracture care
- Chronic musculoskeletal problems like body or joint pains that won't go away
- Specialized training advice which covers: training load and endurance, body shape and development, rehab and strengthening exercises to aid in recovery and performance improvement.
- Sports physicals
- Referrals for KC area resources so that our athletes can stay ahead of the game.
Sports Nutrition
A sports dietitian helps active children and teen athletes fuel their bodies so they can perform their best — on the field, in the gym, and in everyday life. They understand the unique nutrition needs of growing athletes, whose bodies require the right balance of energy, nutrients, and hydration to stay strong and healthy.
Our registered dietitians have a combined 15 years of pediatric experience as well as additional training in sport-specific nutrition. They can help you with:
- Fueling plan for your child's specific sport
- Pre-workout , workout, and post workout fueling strategy
- Recovery strategies
- Hydration plan to optimize performance
- Weight management: "making weight", losing weight (when appropriate), or gaining weight to improve performance
- Monitoring for RED-S (relative energy deficiency in sport) and eating disorders
- Supplement guidance
Sports Medicine FAQs
What is a Pediatric Sports Medicine Physician?
It is a physician who has completed a general pediatrics residency and a pediatric sports medicine fellowship. They are dual board certified.
What is a Pediatric Sports Dietitian?
A registered dietitian who has specific experience and competencies related to both pediatric patients and sports nutrition and dietetics.
What is a sports physical?
Every child or teen who plans to play sports or participate in school activities such as cheerleading must have a sports physical (pre-participation physical exam). A sports physical is also required before returning to activities after an injury or illness during the season.
The purpose of a sports physical is to make sure your child can safely participate in athletic activities. Jumping into intense training or competition without proper preparation can sometimes aggravate existing health issues or cause preventable injuries.
In most cases, sports physicals simply help our providers identify areas for improvement—such as conditioning, flexibility, or managing a minor medical concern—so your child can perform at their best. Occasionally, the exam may uncover a condition that needs treatment or monitoring before participation, helping to keep your child safe, strong, and ready to play.
During a sports physical, our doctors will:
- Ensure your child is prepared for vigorous physical activity
- Gather information on your child’s health and development
- Watch for potential warning signs of serious illness
- Meet the requirements of your child’s school, camp, or sports team
- Identify possible risk factors with a certain sport
- Receive advice on avoiding injuries
A sports physical can usually be combined with your child’s annual well check at no additional cost (other than any required form fees). However, a stand-alone sports physical — scheduled separately from an annual exam — is not covered by insurance. Please call our office for current pricing and to schedule your child’s visit.
Why is a child’s medical history important?
Before your child’s sports physical, you and your child will complete a medical history form to give the provider important background information. This includes details about:
- Chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy
- Hospitalizations or surgeries
- Past injuries like concussions, sprains, or fractures
- Symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain, or breathing problems during exercise
- Current medications or supplements
- Allergies
- Family history of heart disease or other serious illnesses
A complete and accurate medical history helps your doctor identify any conditions that could be affected by sports participation — ensuring your child can stay active safely and confidently.
How is a sports physical exam different from an annual checkup?
A sports physical focuses specifically on determining whether your child can safely participate in athletic activities. It is different from a regular well-child visit, which includes a broader review of growth, development, and preventive care.
During a sports physical, the pediatrician evaluates your child’s musculoskeletal health — checking bones, muscles, and joints for flexibility, strength, and any signs of overuse or injury. The doctor also reviews previous medical concerns, such as fractures, sprains, concussions, dizziness, skin infections, or chronic health conditions that could affect sports participation.
If a potential issue is discovered during a stand-alone sports exam, it may require additional testing, follow-up appointments, or a separate visit to manage that condition. For example, while we may identify possible exercise-induced asthma, detailed guidance and treatment planning would be addressed in a comprehensive office visit, not during the sports physical itself.
In most cases, however, sports physicals simply confirm that your child is healthy and ready to play. If your child needs a sports physical or well check, please call our office or schedule an appointment online.ne.
