Annual Physical Exams in Torrance, CA

Who it’s for: Adults who want a yearly checkup, whether or not they feel sick
Visit length: Varies — ask when booking
What to bring: Photo ID, insurance card, a list of your medicines and any recent test results
Fasting: Only if we ask you to fast for a blood test
Insurance: Most visits billed to insurance — call to confirm your plan

Why a checkup matters when you feel fine

Some common health problems give no warning signs for years. High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms, and high blood sugar and high cholesterol often cause none in the early stages. A blood pressure check or a simple blood test may be the only way to know.

A regular physical is also a time to talk about sleep, stress, activity and eating habits, review your vaccines, and build a relationship with a doctor who already knows you if you get sick.

What a physical exam includes

Your health story: past illnesses and surgeries, family history, medicines, supplements and allergies.
Vital signs: blood pressure, pulse, height and weight.
A physical exam: for example, listening to your heart and lungs and checking your ears, throat and belly.
Tests when needed: blood or urine tests if your age, history or symptoms call for them. See lab tests.
A plan: the screenings, vaccines and follow-up visits that make sense for you.

Screenings based on your age and risk

Screening tests look for disease before symptoms start. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reviews the evidence and makes recommendations. A few well-established examples:

Blood pressure: screening for adults 18 and older (USPSTF, 2021).
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: screening for adults 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity (USPSTF, 2021).
Colorectal cancer: screening for adults 45 to 75 (USPSTF, 2021). When a colonoscopy is the right test, we refer you to a gastroenterology specialist.

Dr. Shin will recommend screenings based on your age, history and risk. Pap tests and prostate cancer screening are covered on our women’s health and men’s health pages.

Screenings through the decades

Examples of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for people at average risk. Your screenings depend on your age and health history, so ask Dr. Shin what fits you.

18+ — Blood pressure screening for adults
21–65 — Cervical cancer screening for women
35–70 — Diabetes screening (overweight or obesity)
40–74 — Mammogram every 2 years for women
45–75 — Colorectal cancer screening
65+ — Osteoporosis screening for women

Your vaccine review

National vaccine guidance has been changing, and California now publishes its own recommendations. Instead of listing schedules here, we look at your vaccine history during your visit. Ask Dr. Shin which vaccines are right for you, and see the California Department of Public Health and CDC for current guidance.

What to expect at your visit

Book
Request an appointment online or call (310) 326-2161. Say it’s a yearly physical and ask whether you should fast.
Prepare
Gather your medicines or a list of them and any recent results. If you have a school or work form, ask us about it when you book.
Visit
Dr. Shin reviews your history, examines you and talks through screenings and vaccines with you.
Follow up
We go over any test results with you and plan your next checkup.

If you don’t have insurance

You can still get a checkup at our Torrance office. See uninsured and self-pay care, and remember that you have the right to a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges.

Common questions

What does a full annual physical include?

A physical usually includes a review of your health history and medicines, vital signs such as blood pressure and weight, and a hands-on exam that includes listening to your heart and lungs. Dr. Shin also talks with you about screening tests and vaccines. Blood or urine tests are added when your age, history or symptoms call for them.

Where can I get an annual physical done?

A primary care doctor, such as a family physician, is a good fit for a yearly physical because the same doctor can follow your health over time. At Shin Family Medicine & Laser Center in Torrance, you can request a physical online or call (310) 326-2161.

Do I need to fast before a physical?

Only if we ask you to. Some blood tests, such as certain blood sugar and cholesterol tests, need fasting, but many visits don’t. If you do need to fast, you can usually drink plain water. Keep taking your regular medicines unless we tell you otherwise.

Does Medicare cover a yearly physical?

Medicare Part B covers a yearly “Wellness” visit to create or update a prevention plan. Medicare notes that this visit isn’t a routine physical exam, and you may have to pay for extra services it doesn’t cover. Tell us you have Medicare when you book so we can schedule the right kind of visit.

Can you fill out my school or work physical form?

Please ask us when you book. Tell us what kind of form you have and when it’s due, and bring it with you. Requirements differ from one school or employer to the next, so we’ll let you know whether we can help with your form.

Important information

A checkup is not for emergencies. Call 911 for chest pain or pressure, severe shortness of breath, sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the body, or suddenly being unable to speak.