Written by Beth Witsik
Article
Health & Wellness, Improve Strength, Injury Prevention, Pain Relief, Physical Therapy
We move everyday…for exercise, competitive sports, work, or just plain living so it’s important to make sure that your body is in proper working order and not at risk for injury. The best way to do that is by having an annual physical therapy exam.
When you go to your annual physical exam, your primary care physician will conduct a battery of tests to ensure that you are healthy. These tests typically include a blood pressure check, listening to your heart and lungs, checking oxygen levels, collecting blood & urine samples, and looking for possible signs of health complications such as diabetes or high cholesterol.
As we age, maintaining our physical well-being becomes increasingly important. Just like regular check-ups with your physician, annual physical therapy exams for older adults can play a crucial role in ensuring a healthy and active lifestyle. Although your family physician may assess a few aspects of your physical capabilities, PTs are specifically trained in your musculoskeletal system (muscles, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissues) and are able to perform a more detailed assessment of this area as well as provide feedback to address your specific impairments.
Your PT may identify:
- Balance deficits that increase your risk for a fall, which could cause you to break a bone
- Strength imbalances that increase your risk of strains and sprains while playing golf or lifting your grandkids
- Tightness of specific muscles that could be contributing to your chronic pain
- And many more…
Additional Benefits of a annual PT exam:
- Improves your general health
- Helps you maintain an active life
- Avoids the need for additional prescription medications
A common question people ask is, “Will my insurance pay for this?” One secret many people don’t know is that most insurances, including Medicare, will cover these visits even without a physician referral! If further PT care is required, your physical therapist can help facilitate obtaining a prescription from your doctor if necessary.
At a yearly physical therapy “checkup,” your PT will gather your medical history, conduct a movement screen, and guide you through a series of objective tests to assess your:
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Gait speed
- Muscle Strength
- Flexibility
- Balance
- Posture
After your exam, your physical therapist will make recommendations as needed based upon the results of these tests to help improve your physical health and functional abilities to meet your lifestyle goals. This may include: a formal episode of in-person PT, a recommendation to begin a community exercise class, join a gym, or simply a home exercise regimen.
When in doubt, just remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Schedule an annual check-up with your PT today!