Physical Exams Specialist

What are the goals of a physical exam?

Professional physical examinations are important for a number of reasons, and you should get them yearly. The team at Personal Touch Medical Center encourages you to add physical exams to your routine to:

• Identify early signs of disease
• Help you take steps to prevent disease
• Form a stronger relationship with your providers
• Update your immunizations
• Help you optimize your health
• Monitor and manage chronic conditions

At Personal Touch Medical Center, the team prioritizes screenings and early disease identification. They can also help you assess your risk factors during your physical exam appointments and make the necessary changes to become a healthier individual.

You can use the valuable information regarding your health from a physical exam to reduce symptoms and even extend the length of your life. Your physical exam appointments are a great opportunity to ask your provider any health-related questions and address any functional changes you’ve noticed recently.

What should I expect during a physical exam?

During your physical exams at Personal Touch Medical Center, the team starts your appointment by asking for information about your medical history. If you’ve visited before and the team is already familiar with your medical history, they may only request updates. They also ask about your lifestyle, allergies, and habits that could affect your health, like smoking or drinking.

After the brief discussion about your health and habits, your physical exam includes:

• Height and weight
• Heart rate check
• Blood pressure reading
• Skin examination
• Examination of eyes, nose, and throat
• Listening to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
• Tapping or pressing on certain parts of your body

Your physical exam might include new components as you age, or additional components according to your gender. The team may also perform lab testing or screening tests according to your health history and risk factors, including screenings for diabetes, high cholesterol, and hormone imbalance.

How often should I come in for physical exams?

Generally, physicians ask that you come in for a physical exam annually. Getting annual physical exams helps you track the ways in which your health changes over time. Frequent physical exams also help your physician identify changes in your functioning faster than if you only visit every few years or not at all.

If you have a chronic disease or if you’re at high risk for a certain disease, the team at Personal Touch Medical Center might suggest coming in for physical exams more often than once a year.

Book your next physical exam by phone or online at Personal Touch Medical Center to learn more about your health and functioning today.