The Importance of Having an Annual Physical, Even if You Feel Fine

Even when you don't think you need to see a doctor, wellness exams are a proactive way for you to ensure that you stay healthy by having a dedicated medical team in your corner.

Getting an annual physical at MS Family Medicine Health Care PC in Rosedale, Queens, and Garden City, Long Island, is a great way to protect your health and monitor it from year to year. 

During your annual physical, our board-certified family medicine specialist Dr. Michele C. Reed evaluates your health and well-being from a whole-body perspective. Our goal is to always get to the root cause of any concerns or signs of irregularities in order to head off problems before they advance. 

Prevention is key

The CDC recommends annual physicals because they are key in preventing potential health care concerns. An annual check-up also saves you time, energy, and money compared with treating a disease that’s progressed. 

An annual physical is one of the best practices when it comes to preventive medicine, which helps identify risk factors early in order to make treatment more effective. By getting a regular wellness exam, we can regularly track changes in your body every year — even those you don’t notice yourself. 

Your physical is also a great time to share information about your personal and family medical history, as well as your lifestyle and habits. We factor in this information to customize the guidance we offer you. 

What happens at your annual physical

During your annual physical, we conduct a number of tests to check your physical health inside and out. These assessments typically include:

• Measuring your height and weight
• Recording vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure
• Examining your eyes, ears, and throat
• Listening to your lung and heart function 
• Reviewing your current medications and supplements
• Evaluating your personal and family medical history

If you already have existing health conditions or an increased risk of developing them, we may recommend additional tests to assess for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. 

We update your immunizations and offer an annual flu shot to keep you feeling safe and well-protected for the year to come. This is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your annual physical also gives you a great opportunity to bring up any health care concerns you may have, such as losing weight. We’re committed to tailoring your appointment to suit your unique needs and health goals.

Your health care partner 

Our team focuses on offering superior care and developing a personal relationship with you, and we understand that your time is limited. While we aim to ensure you have all the tests and evaluations you need in one visit, we can also schedule follow-up visits as needed. 

We also offer concierge medicine so that you can get your annual physical at a time and place that works best for you.

The bottom line is that you have everything to gain from prioritizing your annual physical, so even if you feel fine get it on the calendar.

Call one of our convenient New York offices or book your appointment online today.