WHAT IS A COMPLETE PHYSICAL?
A physical exam is a comprehensive evaluation of your general health. During your visit, we review your medical history, measure your vital signs, and perform a full physical examination based on your age, health needs, and risk factors. Your exam may include screenings, lab tests, and preventive care guidance designed to catch issues early and help you stay healthy.
Services included in an annual physical exam:
- Physical exam for adults
- Blood work and lab tests
- Screening for high cholesterol
- Discussion about chronic condition risks
- Family health and medical history review
- Personalized care and a preventive care plan
Why Regular Physical Exams Matter:
Your annual physical exam establishes baseline measurements for your health. When you see the same physician year after year, they notice subtle changes that might indicate developing problems. Blood pressure is creeping up gradually. Blood sugar numbers are trending higher. Weight gain is happening slowly over time.
The exam also gives you dedicated time to discuss health concerns you've been putting off. That persistent back pain. Feeling more tired than usual. Trouble sleeping. Stress is affecting your daily life. Many people don't seek care until things are really bad. Your annual wellness visit provides a natural opportunity to address concerns before they escalate.
TYPES OF PHYSICAL EXAMS WE OFFER
• Annual physical for adults
• Complete physical exam
• Sports and school physical
• DOT physical
• Pre-employment physical
• Pre-op medical exam
• Routine physical
• Physicals for children
• Exams for adults
• Walk-in physical exam options available
Annual Physical Exams for Adults
The annual physical exam for adults is your yearly comprehensive health assessment. During this complete physical exam, we evaluate your current health status, screen for common diseases, review medications, and discuss lifestyle changes that could improve your well-being.
Your physical check-up includes measurement of vital signs—blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and weight. A thorough physical examination of all body systems. Review of current medications and any new symptoms since your last visit. Discussion of health concerns or questions you have.
Sports Physicals
Sports physicals in Sugar Land help student-athletes participate safely in school and sports activities. Schools require these examinations before allowing participation in athletics. Parents should schedule school and sports physicals during the summer months before the school year starts to avoid last-minute rushes.
A sports physical will help ensure your child is healthy enough for athletic activity. The exam focuses on heart health since undetected heart conditions can be dangerous during intense physical exertion. We assess muscle strength, flexibility, joint function, and past injury healing.
DOT Physicals
DOT physicals in Sugar Land are required for commercial drivers operating vehicles that need a commercial driver's license. The Department of Transportation mandates these specialized examinations to ensure drivers are medically qualified to safely operate large commercial vehicles.
DOT Physicals in Sugar Land for Work Requirements
If you drive commercially, you need a DOT exam completed by a certified examiner. Our clinic offers DOT physicals in Sugar Land with same-week availability. Your DOT exam includes vision and hearing screening, blood pressure measurement, urine testing, medical exam review, and completion of all required forms.
This DOT physical helps you meet federal guidelines and ensures you can safely perform job duties. Drivers living in Sugar Land, TX, and the greater Houston and Sugar Land area trust our clinic for convenient DOT services.
Pre-Employment Physicals and Pre-Op Exams in Sugar Land, TX
Many employers require a medical exam or pre-employment physical before you begin work. We perform pre-employment physicals that include screenings, physical evaluation, and verification of work-related physical requirements.
If you are preparing for surgery, we provide pre-op physical exams in Sugar Land to ensure you are safe for your procedure. A pre-op exam includes:
- Lab tests
- Screening
- Medical history review
- Clearance documentation
Your exam supports a safe procedure and reduces complications.
Pre-Op Physical Exams
Pre-op physical exams in Sugar Land prepare you for the upcoming surgery. Before any surgical procedure, your surgeon needs to know you're healthy enough for anesthesia and the stress of surgery. These examinations identify any issues that could complicate your procedure.
The goal is to ensure surgery happens safely. If we identify concerns, we'll work with your surgeon to optimize your health before the procedure. Bring information about your planned surgery and any forms from your surgeon to your appointment.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR PHYSICAL EXAM
Before Your Appointment
Complete any online paperwork in advance to speed up check-in. Bring your insurance card, photo ID, a list of all current medications (including supplements), and a written list of health concerns so nothing gets forgotten during your visit.
Check-In and Health History Update
When you arrive at our Sugar Land, TX clinic, you'll check in at the front desk. If anything has changed since your last visit—new medications, surgeries, or family conditions—your health history is updated in your chart.
Initial Measurements
A medical assistant brings you to the exam room and records your vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, temperature, height, and weight. These measurements help track year-to-year changes and identify any immediate issues.
Discussion With Your Physician
Your doctor reviews your medical history, discusses any new symptoms, and answers your questions. This is the time to mention anything on your mind—fatigue, pain, digestion problems, sleep issues, stress, or mood changes. No concern is too small.
Full Physical Examination
Your exam includes checking major body systems. Your doctor listens to your heart and lungs, examines your abdomen, evaluates neurological reflexes, and checks your skin for moles or lesions. Depending on age and gender, additional exams—such as a prostate exam or breast examination—may be included.
Lab Work and Screening Tests
Based on your age, medical history, and risk factors, lab tests may be ordered. These can include bloodwork to assess cholesterol, blood sugar, kidney and liver function, thyroid levels, and more. A urine test may screen for diabetes or kidney issues. Some patients may also receive an EKG or other screening tests.
Results, Health Plan, and Next Steps
Your physician reviews all findings and creates a personalized health plan. If everything looks normal, you'll receive guidance to maintain your health. If concerns appear, your doctor discusses treatment options, lifestyle changes, medication adjustments, or referrals. Follow-up visits are scheduled as needed.
After Your Visit
You leave with a clear understanding of your current health and the next steps. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy. Lab results typically arrive within a few days, and we contact you with updates and any recommended actions.
How to Prepare for Your Physical Examination
- Bring a list of your current medications
- Bring your insurance plan card
- Bring vaccination records if available
- Arrive a few minutes early
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Bring any forms required by your employer or school
- Be ready to discuss family health history
Preparing for your annual physical helps ensure all preventive screenings are completed based on your age and health condition.
WHY ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS ARE IMPORTANT
Many serious conditions have no early symptoms.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and some cancers can quietly progress for years. A routine health check is the only way to catch them early.
Early detection makes treatment easier and more effective.
For example, type 2 diabetes found at the prediabetes stage can often be reversed with lifestyle changes. Diagnosed years later? It becomes much harder to manage.
High blood pressure is a silent risk.
You can't feel high blood pressure, but untreated hypertension leads to heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. A quick blood pressure screening during your annual physical can prevent life-threatening complications.
Cancer screenings save lives.
Colonoscopies catch colon cancer when it's highly treatable. Mammograms detect breast cancer early—often before a lump is noticeable. Your exam includes guidance on which screenings you need based on age and risk factors.
Annual measurements create a health baseline.
Consistent yearly checks—like blood sugar, cholesterol, and vital signs—help your provider spot meaningful changes. A sudden jump from a blood sugar of 95 to 115 may signal early diabetes, even though 115 might look "normal" in isolation.
It's a dedicated time to address lingering health concerns.
Back pain, low energy, stress, trouble sleeping—many people put these issues off. Your annual exam gives you a set time to talk about them before they become bigger health problems.
Helps maintain long-term wellness.
Annual physicals combine preventive screenings, lifestyle guidance, and early intervention—all key to keeping you healthy over time.
Why Choose Core Primary Care in Sugar Land
Our primary care practice provides personalized care with a focus on your wellness and long-term health. We offer comprehensive physical examination services with board-certified providers who evaluate your general health and help you manage lifestyle changes when needed.
Patients who live in Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, and the greater Houston area rely on our quality care, preventive care focus, and complete physical services. We assess your risk factors, provide a physical check-up, perform lab tests when needed, and guide you through an annual wellness exam and routine care.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS About Physical Exams
What is a complete physical?
A complete physical is a full medical exam that reviews your health history, screens for chronic disease, evaluates vital signs, and checks your overall health from head to toe.
Can you do a physical online?
Some portions, like reviewing medical history, can be done virtually, but a full physical exam requires an in-person visit for accurate evaluation, screening, and medical examination.
What types of physicals are there?
There are annual physicals, sports physicals, DOT physicals, pre-employment physicals, pre-op physicals, school physicals, and routine physicals.
Who can do physical exams?
A primary care provider or board-certified physician performs physical exams and determines what preventive screenings are appropriate based on your age and medical history.
Physical exams should be performed by licensed physicians or qualified healthcare providers. At Core Primary Care, board-certified physicians conduct all physicals. Some clinics use nurse practitioners or physician assistants for physical exams, which is legal and appropriate when supervised properly.