A physical examination allows your healthcare provider to assess your general health status. It’s also a great time to discuss symptoms or other health concerns you may be experiencing.
However, you don’t have to be ill to schedule a physical. Here are some reasons you may need a physical.
A sports physical is like a regular examination but includes additional information about sports participation. For example, your provider will examine your lungs, heart, bones, and joints and determine whether engaging in a new sport or a new season is safe
Before children and teenagers play sports in most states, they must have a sports physical. Aside from that, anyone beginning a new fitness program or sport should always consult with a healthcare expert first, and sports physicals make this easy.
Sports physicals are also an excellent time to speak with a healthcare professional about how you may be prone to injury. Plus, advice and exercises to help prevent future issues.
Preventive care examinations are a crucial part of maintaining your health. Regular exams, tests, and vaccines help prevent disease and minimize your illness risk.
Preventive care is helpful to assist in the early detection of health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and some tumors when they are most treatable. Additionally, addressing health issues early on can help you stay on track and minimize your risk of other illnesses.
Many businesses need a pre-employment physical to establish an individual’s suitability for a job. These tests match a potential employee’s health to the job’s expected demands to determine whether the person is fit.
The physical also aims to improve workplace safety and reduce the risk of accidents at the workplace. The employment physical also enables employers to modify an employee’s job description if temporary or permanent disabilities were noted during the examination.
Many schools require students to take a physical examination as part of their admission process. The health check report allows the school to get a comprehensive picture of a student’s health, vaccinations, medical history, and any severe health issues or special requirements, if necessary.
When you take your child for a school physical exam, the clinician will verify that all vaccinations are up-to-date and give any necessary additional vaccines. This exam is required for the child’s health and well-being and everyone else’s health in the school.
A commercial driver’s license requires passing a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical. This exam verifies that you’re medically fit to handle the demanding schedule, physical demands, and mental stress of driving commercial vehicles in all types of situations.
For the general public’s safety, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires DOT physical for commercial truck drivers. Only health care practitioners who have been certified by the FMCSA are allowed to perform the examination. A certified medical examiner will evaluate your vital signs, assess your medical history, and do a physical exam as part of your DOT physical.
Once you fulfill the DOT physical standards, your health care provider will provide you with a medical certificate, commonly known as a DOT medical card. The validity of a DOT physical test is up to 24 months. However, suppose you have a medical condition like high blood pressure. In that case, you may need to have physicals annually or less while receiving therapy to fix or control the problem.
You may believe that regular physical examination isn’t necessary for you. However, there are numerous reasons to have one. A physical is more than just a check-up; it’s also a step toward excellent self-care and a healthy lifestyle. At Care Access Clinic, we serve patients in Babylon, New York, and greater Suffolk and Nassau counties. If you need a physical or want to establish regular care, call us at (631) 482-9880 or schedule a consultation online.
