A physical examination is a routine test your primary care provider (PCP) performs to check your overall health. A PCP may be a doctor, a nurse practitioner, or a physician’s assistant. The exam is also known as a wellness check. You don’t have to be sick to request an exam.

The physical exam can be an excellent time to ask your PCP questions about your health or discuss any changes or problems you have noticed. Different tests can be performed during your physical examination. Depending on your age or medical or family history, your PCP may recommend additional testing.

A healthcare professional inspects, feels, or listens to different parts of a person's body. Other names for a physical include a complete physical exam, a routine physical, and a checkup.

A physical examination helps to determine the general status of your health. The exam also gives you a chance to talk to them about any ongoing pain or symptoms you’re experiencing or any other health concerns you might have.

These exams are used to:

• Check for possible diseases so they can be treated early

• Identify any issues that may become medical concerns in the future

• Update necessary immunizations

• Ensure that you are maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine

• Build a relationship with your PCP
  

These exams are also a good way to check cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. These levels may be high without you ever showing any signs or symptoms. Regular screening allows your PCP to treat these conditions before they become severe.

Your PCP may also perform a physical exam before surgery or before beginning your treatment for a medical condition. The two primary benefits of having an annual wellness physical exam are the opportunity to have health screenings to check for early warning signs of dangerous health conditions and the chance to develop a relationship with your physician.

Many dangerous health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancer don’t cause any noticeable symptoms in their early — and more treatable — stages. The routine blood tests and health screenings you have at your annual physical exam can reveal signs of these conditions so you can make lifestyle changes and get the medical treatments you need to improve and protect your health before you start to experience disruptive symptoms.

Having routine physical exams with the same physician also allows you to build a relationship with your provider. You benefit from this because you can learn to trust your doctor and feel comfortable asking questions about your health and well-being. And as your doctor gets to know you and keeps detailed medical records, they will notice changes in your health and wellness immediately.

Your examiner will look at, or “inspect” specific areas of your body for normal color, shape and consistency. Certain findings on “inspection” may alert your health care provider to focus other parts of the physical exam on certain areas of your body.

For example, your legs may be swollen. Your health care provider will then pay special attention to the common things that cause leg swelling, such as extra fluid caused by your heart, and use this information to help them make a diagnosis. Common areas that are inspected may include:

• Your skin – to look for bruising, cuts, moles or lumps

• Your face and eyes – to see if they are even and “normal”

• Your neck veins – to see if these are bulging, distended (swollen)

• Your chest and abdomen (stomach area) – to see if there are any masses, or bulges

• Your legs – to see if there are any swelling

• Your muscles – to check for good muscle tone

• Your elbows and joints – check for swelling and inflammation, if any deformities are present

Once your physical examination is done then it’s time to wait for reports and an update from your doctor.

Your doctor may perform tests specific to something revealed from your medical history, your symptoms, or the physical examination. He or she should explain what the test is looking for and what will be done with the information.

Common laboratory tests that make up part of the physical examination may include having blood drawn to test for body chemistry, the presence of pathogens, or body functions. A urine specimen checks for kidney and urinary tract health, and gender-specific issues. Certain symptoms may require taking stool and sputum cultures.

Imaging studies may include X-rays, computer tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance (MRI) scans. An electrocardiogram (EKG) measures heart activity.

Your doctor may also rely on more specialized and in-depth diagnostics. In this case, sleep studies, home monitoring devices, and any number of other tools could become essential after you leave the office.

A general physical examination. The annual exam includes a thorough examination of the body and skin as well as hearing and vision. Doctors observe a patient’s movement and coordination and check reflexes. In certain circumstances, doctors might also check a patient’s memory and cognition.

Screening tests. An annual exam can also include a variety of screening tests such as a blood pressure check, urinalysis and a basic blood panel. Along with these, your doctor might recommend other tests targeted to your individual circumstances, such as a bone density screening or mammogram.

Primary care health screening. Many students schedule a periodic physical exam to check on their health. Primary care health screenings are covered by the student health fee and have no charge.

Third-party-requested physical exam. This is a physical examination required by a third party, usually a potential employer or a study abroad program. This type of physical is not covered by the student health fee and has an additional charge. If lab tests or immunizations are required to complete this physical, there is also a charge for those.

Peace Corps physical exam. This is a specific type of third-party physical with an extensive physical exam. It is not covered by the student health fee and has an additional charge. There is also a charge for any immunizations required to complete the exam.

Travel physical. This is a third-party-requested physical exam that is required for participation in a program of study, travel, or employment abroad. The health care provider is required to complete accompanying paperwork about a student’s health status. This service is not covered under the student health fee, and there is a charge. There is also a charge for any lab tests or immunizations required to complete this physical. Please note that this is different from a travel consultation.

Women’s physical exams. The Women’s Health Clinic provides physical exams for women with gynecological symptoms or concerns for no charge.

The need for physical exams by your doctor is highly individual. There's no standard recommendation for how often healthy people should see their doctors. The best advice: Ask your doctor how often she wants to see you.

A physical examination is recommended at least once a year, especially in people over the age of 50.

Age and being at high risk of certain diseases can justify annual checkups, even in otherwise healthy people. Older adults are more likely to fall ill, so your doctor may wish to see you every year beginning at age 65, or younger if there are other risk factors. Likewise, having risk factors – such as borderline high blood pressure or prediabetes – could warrant regular check-ins no matter your age.

It should go without saying that if you have a chronic illness, even when you have it under control and are feeling good, more frequent check-ins are called for. These visits aren't simply looking for an illness or condition you don't know about, but are a check on your current state of health in light of a condition (or risk factors) you already have. If you're on a prescription drug regimen, that's a good sign that annual or even more frequent checkups are warranted.

A clinical examination comprises three components: the history, the examination, and the explanation, where the doctor discusses the nature and implications of the clinical findings. A patient seeks medical help for three main reasons: diagnostic purposes, treatment or reassurance, or a combination of these factors. The foundation of the patient–doctor relationship is largely based on establishing a good rapport during the history-taking and the examination.

While you may associate physical exams with getting poked and prodded by your doctor and having to provide blood and urine samples, your annual checkup is an opportunity to talk to a doctor about your health and well-being. You have a physical exam, including blood pressure screenings and height and weight monitoring. Your doctor listens to your heart and lungs and looks into your throat, eyes, and ears.

But more importantly, your doctor talks to you about your health and well-being. They ask if you’ve noticed any changes in your health or if your diet and exercise habits have changed. They ask about what else is going on with your life, including how things are going at home and at work.

You can also ask questions. Your doctor can provide expert, customized advice on how you can improve your health. They offer support to improve your diet, quit smoking, or manage chronic health conditions.

Your doctor recommends specific screenings depending on your age, sex, and personal and family medical history. For example, you should have a standard blood panel to check your cholesterol and glucose levels, and a member of the medical team will check your blood pressure.

Depending on other factors, your doctor may suggest screenings for different kinds of cancer, bone density, or mental health concerns like depression and anxiety.

If you’re due for an annual wellness physical exam, call or make an appointment online today.