Physicals

What is a physical?

A physical refers to a component of your overall preventive care regimen. During your physical, your Cermak Immediate Care provider identifies medical issues that need treatment. They discuss your medical and family histories and perform an examination of your body. Your provider might order additional testing and blood work depending on your age, genetics, and the current state of your health.  

A physical might also be required by a prospective employer, sports team, or a school you’d like your child to enroll in. A physical from Cermak Immediate Care can help you pursue your goals with no medical roadblocks.

When should I get a physical exam?

The golden standard for physical exams is once a year. This enables your provider to do all of the following regularly:

• Track illness
• Identify early symptoms of illness
• Discuss exercise and nutrition regimens
• Update immunizations
• Fill out necessary school and sports forms to clear your child for activities
• Test for TB infection

What should I expect during a physical exam?

The first step in a physical exam is to collect data. Your provider starts by checking your weight, height, and pulse and examines your body for any abnormalities. Once those initial examinations are complete, your provider checks your abdomen and other parts of your body, like your joints or nervous system. They will also listen to your heartbeat and lungs with a stethoscope. If you have a family history of cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or other inflammatory markers, they may order a blood test.

How do I prepare for a physical exam?

You should think about the physical exam as your opportunity to ask your physician all the important health questions. It might be useful for you to prepare a list of questions you want to ask your provider and gather relevant paperwork to bring with you to your appointment. This paperwork can include:

• Current prescriptions
• Recent test results
• Medical history
• Family history
• Contact information of previous doctors
• School forms

You should also wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes so that your attire doesn’t get in the way of the exam.

If, during your exam, your provider notices something that requires further scrutiny from a primary care physician, they can offer you a referral for more comprehensive treatment.

For your physical needs, call Cermak Immediate Care or request an appointment online today.