Most people schedule an annual visit with their primary care provider and see their dentist twice a year, but many do not think about their musculoskeletal health until something hurts. An annual physical therapy exam is a proactive way to evaluate your movement, strength, balance, and flexibility before pain or injury develops.
An annual physical therapy exam is a comprehensive movement assessment that evaluates strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility to identify potential problems before they become injuries.
As physical therapists, we are skilled not just in injury rehabilitation, but also in injury prevention and movement assessment. That is why we offer an annual physical therapy exam to help you identify ways to protect your mobility and function, prevent injury, and stay active for years to come.
Many musculoskeletal injuries develop gradually. Tight muscles, joint stiffness, muscle imbalances, or poor movement mechanics can place extra stress on certain parts of the body. Over time, this can lead to pain or injury. During your annual PT exam, a physical therapist can detect these early warning signs and provide guidance to correct them through targeted exercises and movement strategies.
Some important questions your physical therapist may ask during your physical therapy evaluation include:
- Can you get up from the floor without assistance?
- Can you reach items on the top shelf of your cupboard?
- Can you pick up your child or grandchild without difficulty?
- Can you walk through the grocery store without needing a rest?
- Can you walk around objects on the floor (like pet toys) without losing your balance?
- Can you play your preferred sport without discomfort during or after?
- Can you walk up a hill or climb stairs without feeling short of breath?
- Can you sleep through the night without pain?
- Can you stand on one foot without using your hands for support?
- Can you cough or sneeze without feeling the urge to urinate?
- Can you walk up and down stairs one foot after another?
- Can you stand up from a chair without using your hands?
- Can you close your eyes while rinsing your hair in the shower without feeling dizzy?
- Can you carry grocery bags or a laundry basket comfortably?
- Can you reach overhead to change a lightbulb?
- Can you step up or down a curb without assistance?
- Can you tuck in your shirt or reach your back belt loop without difficulty?
If you notice difficulty with any of the activities listed above—or if you want to prioritize your health and long-term wellness before symptoms appear—consider scheduling an annual physical therapy exam. A proactive movement and mobility assessment can help you prevent injury, improve strength and balance, optimize mobility, and stay active doing the things you enjoy.
Schedule your annual PT exam today to stay ahead of injury and keep moving well.
