Wellness & Physicals

Sound Family Medicine’s doctors and providers care for your health and overall wellness, including annual physicals and preventative care screenings. A care relationship with your provider here at Sound Family, including an annual visit, allows us to monitor your health and help you maintain your overall wellness. Our exams and screenings are designed to keep a baseline on your health so that any problems you develop can be detected and treated early on.

Annual Physical Exams

Annual check-ups are an essential part of your overall health and wellness. These exams focus on whole person wellness rather than a current or specific problem. Your provider will want to know about your personal and family history, as well as any changes in your health since your last exam. This is your chance to meet with your provider when you are well, arrange prescription refills for the year, determine any preventative screenings needed, and to make a plan to stay healthy. Note: annual exams are not subject to deductible or co-pay under most insurance plans. That means no out-of-pocket expense for most patients. Because most insurance companies require 365 days since your last physical, we encourage you to contact your insurance plan to ensure that a full year exists between physical exam appointments.

Preventative Care

Your provider will also want to ensure that you are current on other checkups including eye exams and dental visits, determine need for preventative screenings and for you to voice any immediate concerns.

Some of the screenings recommended for adult preventative care include:

Pap Smear & Pelvic Exam
Women don’t need their first pap smear until age 21, even if first intercourse occurred prior to that age. That said, younger women still need appropriate contraception and STD screening. Women over 21 need regular pap smear screening every 3 years to age 30, and every 5 years to age 65 unless otherwise directed by your physician.

Colon Cancer Screening
For adults age 50 and older, and younger adults with history of colon cancer.

Breast Cancer Screening
For women over the age of 50, and in some cases starting at the age of 40, and/or have a family history or other risk factors for breast cancer.

Osteoporosis Screening
For women over the age of 65. For women who are thin, fair-skinned, smoke, use thyroid medication, or have a family history of osteoporosis may want to be screened at the age of 60.

Prostate Cancer Screening
For men over the age of 50, African American men over the age of 40, or have a family history are at highest risk and should be screened. If you are at low risk, experts recommend against screening. Your Sound Family Medicine provider can review risks of prostate cancer screening and your options with you.

Blood Pressure Screening
We check your blood pressure at every visit. If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension), your SFM provider can help you get control of this condition. We also have a blood pressure measurement form you can print out and use to track your BP vitals.

DOT Physicals or FAA Medical Exams

Some jobs through the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) require applicants to complete a specialized physical. This physical helps determine whether the applicant is eligible to operate specialized vehicles. Sound Family Medicine has several qualified providers to complete these examinations. If you need a DOT physical done, you may call our Patient Services team at 253-848-5951 and we will be happy to schedule you with a DOT-certified provider at one of our main clinics. We have DOT-certified providers at our walk-in locations as well, so if you are pressed for time, you may visit our walk-in locations but please call us first to verify if a DOT-certified provider is working on the day you would like to walk-in. If you need an FAA physical done, please call us at 253-848-5951 to schedule an appointment.

Sports Physicals

The state of Washington requires athletes to complete a physical to ensure that they are healthy and able to participate in their sport. Sports physicals are generally good for 2 years. Most schools keep record of previous physicals on file and will likely be able to tell you when your child’s next one is due. If your child participates in sports and is required to complete a sports physical, more information can be found in our Pediatrics page. There’s a lot of health information out there, and not all of it is reliable. Annual exams are an excellent chance to talk over your concerns with a provider and get information you can trust.