As a licensed pelvic health physical therapist I’m begging you NOT wait until the end of the year to get all your annual appointments scheduled. Go ahead and schedule them now, be seen earlier in the calendar year, and make your suggested health changes before another year passes.
Your health and wellness is as important as everyone else’s in your family. And you’re incredible at keeping up with their health and wellbeing — keep up with yours as well!
Here is a comprehensive list of what you should be getting checked out this new year:
Annual primary care/wellness visit
General health and wellness, possible vaccinations, a moment to discuss health concerns including blood pressure, weight, musculoskeletal or other issues with your provider. Your PCP or Family Health MD can make appropriate referrals for other specialists as needed.
Annual gynecological visit
From puberty onward this is important to have annual cancer screenings and pelvic wellness visits. This visit should also include a breast exam to look for suspicious tissue where further testing will be requested.
More importantly, you should always feel comfortable at your gynecologist’s office. And yes, you should visit them once a year regardless if you’re pregnant or not.
Mammograms
Mammograms are one of the annual preventative screenings women should schedule after the age of 40. Talk with your provider if you believe you should have additional testing or start imaging earlier due to family history.
Colon screening
The CDC recommends persons ages 45-75 be screened for colorectal health via a colonoscopy every 10 years (or more often per your MDs recommendation/family history).
Dermatology
We live in sunny Florida. Sometimes this can be one time a year or two times a year depending on the amount of sun you’re exposed to or how your body reacts/family history. Doing self checks in the mirror is important, while noting new bumps, moles, or skin changes to tell your provider at your appointment.
Dentist
Two times a year is best and recommended for oral cancer screenings, cleanings, and X-rays (when applicable) to reduce risk of gum disease, tooth decay, or other systemic issues (including heart disease).
Optometrist/eye exam
Should be an annual or every other year appointment to make necessary changes to your eyeglass prescriptions, and maintain good eye health while looking for changes to the eye (including glaucoma, cataracts, and other anomalies).
Mental health
You don’t have to be postpartum, pregnant, or actively going through a specific situation in life to warrant finding a good mental health or psychiatric provider to speak with and get tailored treatment options or therapies to improve your mental and overall health needs. Our minds are an incredibly important aspect of our bodies we tend to ignore or push off the most. It can sometimes be easier to set up appointments prior to a big life change (moving, new job, new baby, new grandkid) versus in the moment to gain clarity, assistance, or guidance to ensure a healthy balance in life. There is never a wrong time to start therapy and I am just proud of you for taking that step wherever you are in your wellness journey.
Let 2024 be the start of a new years health and wellness tradition that focuses on YOU. Let this year be the start to many years of health, prevention, advocacy, and wellness you deserve!
