Annual Physical – Is It Obsolete

Health care reform may encourage more preventive health, however, I ask, are we looking for the right thing in an Annual Physical? Albert Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

Having done annual physicals and Executive Physicals for my entire career, as well as employee wellness and corporate wellness programs, I still find them to be cookie cutter. You get a Metabolic Profile, Lipid Panel, CBC, Urinalysis and EKG as well as a cursory physical. However, there is hardly any time to go deeper or counsel the patient in depth. Patients are left with platitudes: “Eat right, exercise and come back if you have any new symptoms.”

There is a lot of value in these and you can pick up new findings in some people. What is not addressed, are the vague complaints of having less energy and clarity as well as aches and pains. The answer to everything is a drug or being told you are getting old. My patients come to me after going to their doctor or high priced Executive Physicals, having been told that everything is normal and they are getting old, yet they want a new perspective.

Obsolete? I think not…

Since 75% of chronic disease is due to lifestyle, the annual physical can show us where to look further yet there is never enough time to get to the crux of the matter when people complain of lack of energy, clarity, strength, libido, muscle aches and pains or have anxiety or depression.

Anti aging and Regenerative Medicine is a field that addresses these issues at the source. In addition, seeks to slow the aging process and prevent or reverse the chronic degenerative diseases of aging. Moreover, restore the energy and vitality of youth. An in depth analysis of diet, lifestyle and personalized metabolic, hormonal and/or genetic testing and a customized prescription of nutrition, supplements, hormone replacement or modulation, exercise and changes in lifestyle based on science and an individual’s unique circumstances can go a long way to address the common ailments attributed to aging.

Annual Physical – Is It Obsolete Takeaway:

Give yourself the gift of health and schedule an in-depth Executive Physical with an Anti-Aging Medical Professional who will spend time and leave you with a detailed plan.