More Than a Checkup
More Than a Checkup
Preventive care that grows with your child.

Pediatric Physicals in Smyrna, TN

Well-child exams, school physicals, and TSSAA sports physicals; all in one familiar, friendly place.

Between school drop-offs, travel baseball, and everything else life throws at Smyrna families, it's easy to push a physical to "next month." But those routine appointments are some of the most valuable visits your child will ever have.

At Smyrna Pediatrics, we've been caring for kids across Rutherford County for over 20 years—from newborns through teens—and we know that a well-timed physical can catch what parents and kids can't see on their own. Whether you need a quick sports physical before tryouts at Stewarts Creek or a comprehensive well-child exam, we're here to keep your child on track at every stage.

Request an Appointment (615) 625-7780

Which Physical Does Your Child Need?

Not all physicals are the same, and knowing the difference saves time and confusion, especially at back-to-school time. Here's a quick breakdown:

Well-Child Exam

The annual "all clear" checkup your pediatrician recommends every year. Covers growth, development, nutrition, immunizations, and behavioral health.

Sports Physical (PPE)

Required before every new sports season. Screens for heart, musculoskeletal, and other conditions that could put an athlete at risk. Meets TSSAA requirements.

School Physical

Required for kindergarten enrollment and sometimes middle or high school entry in Tennessee. Includes vision, hearing, and up-to-date immunization records.

Newborn & Infant Care

More frequent visits in the first year to track growth milestones, feeding, and every development. We see newborns starting at 3-5 days old.

Quick Tip for Smyrna Families

A sports physical is not a substitute for an annual well-child exam, and vice versa. If your child only gets a sports physical this year, they're missing the broader developmental screening that comes with a well-child visit. When possible, schedule both or ask us about combining them efficiently.

What We Check at Every Stage of Childhood

Your child isn't the same person at 2 that they are at 12, and our physicals reflect that.

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Infant — Birth to 12 Months

Early milestones and rapid growth

  • Growth tracking: weight, length, and head circumference at every visit
  • Developmental milestones: rolling, sitting, babbling, and social smiling
  • Feeding guidance: breast, formula, and introduction of solid foods
  • Newborn hearing screening and vision checks
  • Immunizations per CDC schedule
  • Postpartum support and caregiver questions

Typical visit schedule: 3-5 days, 1 month, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months.

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Toddler — Ages 1 to 3

Big personalities, big changes

  • Speech and language development (first words, two-word phrases by age 2)
  • Motor skills: walking, climbing, fine motor control
  • Behavioral development: tantrums are normal; we can help you navigate them
  • Lead screening and anemia checks (typically around 12 and 24 months)
  • Autism screening at 18 and 24 months using validated tools
  • Dental health guidance and fluoride varnish

Typical visits: 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 2.5 years, 3 years

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School Age — Ages 4 to 11

Ready to learn, ready to play

  • Vision and hearing screenings
  • School readiness and learning/attention concerns (ADHD screening)
  • BMI and healthy weight conversations
  • Sports readiness and musculoskeletal assessments
  • Social-emotional development: friendships, anxiety, school adjustments
  • Boost immunizations at age 4-6 and again around 11

Annual visits are recommended. Tennessee requires a physical for kindergarten enrollment.

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Adolescent — Ages 12 to 18

Navigating the teen years together

  • Puberty and growth assessments
  • Mental health screening: depression, anxiety, and stress management
  • TSSAA sports physical requirements for middle and high school athletes
  • Nutrition, sleep, and screen time conversations
  • Substance use, sexual health, and driving safety
  • Tdap, meningococcal, and HPV vaccine series

Annual physicals are recommended throughout high school. Sports physicals needed each season.

Sports Physicals & TSSAA Requirements

Rutherford County school physicals

If your child plays on a team through Smyrna schools, they need a pre-participation evaluation (PPE) before they can step on the field or court.

What the TSSAA Requires

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association requires all student-athletes to complete a physical examination before participating in interscholastic athletics each year. The physical must be signed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.

During a sports physical, we evaluate:

  • Heart and lung function (including screenings for cardiac conditions that could cause sudden cardiac arrest)
  • Blood pressure and pulse
  • Musculoskeletal health, joint flexibility, and prior injury history
  • Vision screening
  • Height and weight/BMI
  • Review of medications, allergies, and health history

Tip: Don't wait until the week before tryouts. Book your athlete's sports physical 4-6 weeks in advance so there's time to follow up if something needs attention.

(615) 625-7780

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a sports physical and an annual physical?

A sports physical (also called a pre-participation physical evaluation or PPE) is specifically designed to determine whether your child is safe to participate in organized athletics. It focuses on cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal fitness, and injury history.

An annual well-child exam is a comprehensive health checkup that covers growth, development, behavioral health, nutrition, immunizations, and overall wellbeing — things that don't come up in a sports physical. The two exams complement each other, but one doesn't replace the other. We recommend doing both each year.

How often should my child have a physical exam?

No two children are identical, but we usually recommend an annual physical to check for potential health problems or risks. We can also update your child's immunizations and prescription(s) at their yearly physical if needed.

What does a pediatric wellness check cover that an urgent care visit won't?

A well-child exam at Smyrna Pediatrics is a full developmental, behavioral, and preventive health review, not just treatment for a current illness. We're tracking your child's growth over time, screening for developmental delays, updating vaccines on schedule, and building the kind of relationship with your child that makes future visits easier.

Urgent care is great for acute needs in the moment, but it doesn't provide the longitudinal, whole-child care that a primary pediatrician offers.

When is the best time to schedule school physicals in Smyrna?

The sweet spot is March through May. Tennessee schools typically require physicals and updated immunization records before the fall semester, and our schedule fills up fast once summer hits. Smyrna families who wait until July or August often find themselves scrambling for appointments right before Open House week.

Booking in spring gives you plenty of time to handle any follow-up needs without the back-to-school rush. If your child is entering kindergarten, aim even earlier, since Tennessee's enrollment requirements include both a physical and a Certificate of Immunization.

Do you provide the required Tennessee Immunization Certificate during the physical?

This is something you'll want to confirm directly with the office, since immunization certificate completion depends on your child's specific vaccine history being on file. Call us at (615) 625-7780 before the appointment and let the staff know you need the Tennessee Certificate of Immunization (also called the Blue Card) completed.

Bringing any outside immunization records from a previous provider will help make sure nothing is missing and the certificate can be completed at that same visit.

Should I go to Smyrna Pediatrics or the emergency room for a minor sports injury?

For most minor sports injuries, like a twisted ankle, a jammed finger, a mild muscle strain, or a small cut, Smyrna Pediatrics is the right first call. We handle urgent minor injuries right in the office, which means your child gets care from a provider who already knows their health history, without the long wait times and high costs that come with an ER visit.

Save the ER for situations that are genuinely serious: a bone that looks visibly deformed, a head injury with confusion or loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing after a hit to the chest, or anything that feels truly alarming. When you're not sure which way to go, just call us first and we'll help you figure it out quickly.

Does my child need a physical every year even if they aren't in sports?

Yes, and this one matters more than most parents realize. The annual well-child exam isn't just a box to check for school paperwork. It's how we track growth patterns over time, screen for things like anemia, high cholesterol, vision changes, and developmental concerns, and stay current on vaccines. It's also one of the best opportunities for your child to build a comfortable relationship with their doctor before they're sick or stressed.

For teens especially, that annual visit is often when we have important conversations about mental health, sleep, nutrition, and puberty that don't come up any other way. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a well-child visit every year from birth through age 21, and we think it's some of the best preventive care you can give your kid.

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Ready to Schedule Your Child's Physical?

Whether it's a well-child exam, a sports physical for the upcoming season, or a school physical for kindergarten enrollment, we make it easy to get in and get it done.

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About Us

Smyrna Pediatrics is your partner in raising a happy, healthy child with our comprehensive pediatric care services.

Contact Us
741 President Pl #210
Smyrna, TN 37167 (615) 625-7780
Office Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:00AM - 12:00PM, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
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