You probably think of physical exams as annual exams to check your overall health. But Sterling Medical Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan, can customize your physical exams for your unique needs. The skilled medical team offers sports physicals, camp physicals, school physicals, and work physicals along with annual exams. Book your exam using the online scheduler or by calling the office today.
Physical Exams Q & A
How often should I have a physical exam?
Sterling Medical Center recommends annual exams for most patients. Annual exams are an excellent way to work together with your medical care providers to maintain good health now and in your future.
By having annual exams, you create the opportunity to discuss changes that you’re concerned about. Your care team will also help with preventive care, for example educating you about the changes you need to make to avoid diabetes, high blood pressure, and other serious health complications.
What happens during a physical exam?
Sterling Medical Center can tailor the exam to your needs. In general, physical exams usually include:
- Review of your medical history
- Check of your vital signs, including blood pressure, temperature, and your heart rate
- Evaluation of heart function
- Evaluation of lung function
- Ear, nose, and throat check
- Abdomen check
- Reflexes check
There may also be other components to your physical exam, such as a skin check. Sometimes physical exams also include blood testing, based on your needs.
If you need to start any new medications, or if you need to make changes to your existing medications, your Sterling Medical Center care provider can prescribe those during your annual exam.
Overall, annual physical exams are comprehensive checkups in which your care team evaluates your health as a whole, from your head to your toes.
What do school, sports, and work physicals include?
Sterling Medical Center tailors sports physicals, school physicals, and work physicals to the situation. Some young patients also need other physicals, such as camp physicals. Generally, the goal of these physicals is to verify that patients are sufficiently healthy for a specific purpose.
For example, a sports physical usually includes the general health checks done in a standard physical exam but may also include specific extra evaluations of physical stamina and wellness. Many children need a sports physical or a school physical before they’re allowed to participate in team sports.
Before your physical, obtain any paperwork that your Sterling Medical Center care provider needs to complete. The paperwork will detail exactly what physical requirements your child must meet, thus giving your care provider the information necessary to properly tailor the tests during the exam.
Use the online scheduler or call Sterling Medical Center to schedule your physical exam today.