Physical Exam: Your Health Blueprint

By Dr. Priya Sammani ( MBBS, DFM )

I remember a gentleman, let’s call him Mr. Henderson, who walked into my clinic last fall. He looked fit, said he felt fine, but admitted his wife had been “gently nudging” him for a routine check-up for ages. “Just a bit of a tune-up, Doc,” he chuckled. That “tune-up,” that simple physical exam, ended up being quite important. We caught his blood pressure, which had started to creep up, and had a good chat about his family history of heart disease – things he hadn’t really thought to mention before. It wasn’t anything dramatic that day, but it started a conversation that helped us map out a plan to keep him truly healthy for years to come. It’s a good reminder of why these check-ins matter.

What’s This Physical Exam All About, Anyway?

So, what exactly is this physical exam we talk about? Think of it as a friendly, thorough look at your overall health. I, or another primary care provider, will guide you through it. It’s really all about preventive care – catching things early, or just making sure you’re on the right track to feeling your best. And if something is bothering you, it’s the perfect time to chat about it so we can figure things out together. You don’t need to be sick to come in for one; in fact, it’s often best if you’re not!

You might hear it called different things:

  • A “well-check” or “wellness check”
  • A “checkup”
  • A “preventive care visit”
  • An “annual physical exam”
  • A “routine physical exam”
  • Even a “pre-employment physical exam” if it’s for a new job.

No matter the name, the purpose is generally the same:

  • To get a good sense of your current health.
  • For us to offer advice on how you can reach or stay in good health.
  • To look for any underlying conditions or address any symptoms you’re experiencing.
  • It’s also a chance to get any needed immunizations or vaccines.
  • And, importantly, it’s your time to ask questions and get clear answers about your health.

Most of us in family medicine suggest popping in for a physical exam about once a year. Think of it as an annual tune-up for your body.

Sports Physical vs. Your Annual Check-Up: What’s the Difference?

Now, sometimes you might need a “sports physical.” This is a bit different from your regular annual physical exam. A sports physical is really focused on making sure you’re healthy enough to safely play a particular sport.

We’ll still do some similar checks, like:

  • Measuring your height and weight.
  • Checking your vision and hearing.
  • Looking at your muscle and bone health.

But for a sports physical, we might also check your flexibility and strength more specifically, which isn’t always a big focus in a routine annual exam.

Getting Ready for Your Visit

A little preparation can make your physical exam go even smoother. It’s helpful if you can jot down and bring:

  • A list of any medications or supplements you’re currently taking. Let us know if you need refills!
  • Any allergies you have.
  • Notes about any symptoms – what they are, when they happen, how long they last, and if anything makes them better or worse.
  • Results from recent tests or lab work, if you have them.
  • Any specific measurements we’ve asked you to track, like blood pressure or blood sugar readings.
  • Your medical and surgical history – a quick rundown of past diagnoses or procedures.
  • Any questions you’ve been wanting to ask. Seriously, no question is too small.
  • Names and contact info for any other doctors or specialists you see. We can share reports if you’d like.

And if it’s a sports physical or for pre-employment, don’t forget to bring any forms your coach or employer needs me to sign!

What Happens During Your Physical Exam?

Okay, so you’re in the clinic. What actually goes on?

The Welcome and Initial Chat

Before you even see me (or your doctor), a member of our fantastic care team, often a nurse or medical assistant, will usually:

  • Measure your height and weight.
  • Check your vital signs – that’s your blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature.
  • Go over your medical history and family medical history. This helps us understand any predispositions.
  • Confirm those medications and supplements you’re taking.
  • Chat a bit about your social environment (like smoking or substance use) as it relates to your health. It’s a no-judgment zone.
  • Sometimes, we’ll touch on important medical care preferences, like if you have a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) directive or a living will.
  • And most importantly, they’ll ask about any personal health concerns or symptoms you have.

Then, when I come in, we’ll talk more about anything on your mind. If you’re having pain, for instance, I’ll want to know things like: Where is it? What does it feel like – dull, sharp, achy? How bad is it, say, on a scale of 1 to 10? Does it come and go? What makes it better or worse?

The Doctor’s Part: A Gentle Look-Over

This is where I, your doctor, will do the hands-on part of the physical exam. We use a few basic techniques:

  • Inspection: This just means I’ll be looking. I’ll look at your skin for any unusual moles or rashes, check your eyes, and look into your mouth and throat (I might ask you to say “ah!”).
  • Auscultation: This is when I use my stethoscope to listen to your heart and lungs. I’ll ask you to breathe normally and take some deep breaths.
  • Palpation: This is a fancy word for gently feeling. I’ll feel the lymph nodes in your neck to check for swelling and gently press on your abdomen to check the size and location of your organs. You might need to lie down for this bit.
  • Percussion: Sometimes, I might tap on specific areas of your body, like your chest or back. The sound it makes can give us clues.

Specifically, during your physical exam, I’ll typically:

  • Listen to your heart for its rate, rhythm, and any unusual sounds.
  • Listen to your lungs for clear breath sounds.
  • Look into your ears using a little lighted instrument called an otoscope.
  • Check your nose and mouth.
  • Feel those lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, and groin.
  • Examine your abdomen.
  • Take a look at your skin all over.
  • Assess your nervous system by checking reflexes, strength, and sensation in your feet and other areas.
  • We’ll also chat about your mental health – it’s just as important as your physical health.

Depending on your age, anatomy, and health history, we might also do a breast exam, pelvic exam (for women), or a genital and prostate exam (for men). And, of course, this is when we’d give you any vaccinations or immunizations you’re due for. It can vary a bit based on your specific needs and concerns. If you have a particular worry, we’ll definitely focus on that area.

How Long Will It Take?

Usually, a physical exam takes about 30 minutes. Sometimes a bit longer if we have a lot to talk about, sometimes a bit less.

After Your Physical Exam: What’s Next?

Once we’re done, you can usually go about your day. I’ll give you a summary of how things look. If it was a pre-employment or sports physical, I’ll sign any paperwork you brought.

If we found anything that needs a closer look, we’ll talk about it. I might suggest:

  • Seeing a specialist (like a cardiologist if we found a heart murmur, or a dermatologist for a skin concern).
  • Getting some additional tests done. This doesn’t always mean something is wrong! Sometimes, we’re not quite sure what’s going on, and that’s when these tests can be really helpful to get a clearer picture. These could include things like:
  • An X-ray
  • A complete blood count (CBC)
  • An electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heart’s electrical activity
  • A stress test
  • A urinalysis (a urine test)
  • A lipid panel (to check cholesterol)

If tests are needed, we’ll schedule them and then likely have a follow-up chat to go over the results.

Understanding Your Results

The physical exam gives us a snapshot of your health at that moment. When it’s all wrapped up, I’ll let you know:

  • If there are any concerns about your health.
  • If you need more tests.
  • If a visit to a specialist is a good idea.
  • What steps you can take to improve your health.
  • Or, hopefully, that you’re in good health! Keep up the great work!

If we do find something that needs monitoring, I might ask to see you again sooner than a year.

Key Takeaways for Your Physical Exam

Here are the main things I hope you remember about your physical exam:

  • It’s your yearly pit stop for checking in on your overall health.
  • It’s hugely about preventive care and catching potential issues early.
  • Come prepared with your questions, medication list, and any concerns.
  • We’ll check various systems, but it’s a gentle and respectful process.
  • Don’t ever hesitate to discuss anything – that’s exactly what we’re here for! This is your time.

When to Reach Out After Your Exam

Of course, you don’t have to wait for your next annual physical exam if something comes up. Please give my office a call if you:

  • Have questions about your health or any test results.
  • Experience new symptoms, or if existing ones get worse.
  • Notice any changes to your body, like a new lump or a skin growth that looks different.

You’re not alone in managing your health. We’re your partners in this journey.

Dr. Priya Sammani
Medically Reviewed by
MBBS, Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine
Dr. Priya Sammani is the founder of Priya.Health and Nirogi Lanka. She is dedicated to preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and making reliable health information accessible for everyone.
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