Why an Annual Physical Therapy Check-Up Matters

We’re all pretty good about our yearly routines — dental cleanings, eye exams, and regular check-ups with our primary care provider. But there’s one important part of health that often gets overlooked:

How well you move.

Small changes in balance, strength, or mobility usually don’t hurt right away. But over time, they can turn into back pain, joint problems, falls, or injuries that interrupt work, sports, and everyday life. An annual Physical Therapy Check-Up is designed to catch those issues early — before they become bigger problems.

That’s why more people are adding a PT check-up to their yearly wellness routine. It’s proactive, practical, and focused on keeping you active and independent.

What Is a Physical Therapy Check-Up?

A PT check-up is not about treating an injury — it’s about preventing one.

At Plains Physical Therapy, a check-up looks at how your body is functioning now and whether it supports the life you want to live. Your visit may include:

• Review of Your Health & Activity Level
• We’ll talk about your work, hobbies, sports, and any aches or stiffness you’ve noticed — even if they seem minor.
  

Wearable Data (If You Use It)
If you track steps, sleep, heart rate, or fitness scores with an Apple Watch, Oura Ring, or similar device, we can help translate that data into a meaningful movement plan. (Not required — just helpful if you already use it.)

The “Longevity Trifecta”

We assess three powerful predictors of long-term independence and function:
  – Grip strength
  – Balance
  – Power and movement control

These measures are strongly linked to how well people age and stay active.

• Movement Goals That Match Your Life
Whether you want to hike, ski, play pickleball, train for events, or just work without pain, your plan should match your real-world goals — not a generic exercise sheet.

• Simple, Customized Pre-Hab Program
You’ll leave with targeted exercises to address weak points and reduce future injury risk — efficient, realistic, and doable at home.

Why Movement Is a “Vital Sign” for Health

Research now shows that how you move tells us a lot about your overall health — not just your joints and muscles, but your nervous system and long-term independence.

Here are three benchmarks we often use:

• Sitting-Rising Test (SRT)
Can you sit on the floor and stand back up without using your hands or knees?
This simple test reflects flexibility, strength, and balance — and has been shown to strongly correlate with long-term health outcomes.

• Walking Speed — The “Sixth Vital Sign”
Gait speed is now considered a key predictor of independence and hospitalization risk. Maintaining a walking speed over 1.0 meter per second is associated with better long-term outcomes.

• Grip Strength
Grip strength is increasingly recognized as a marker for overall muscle health and biological age. A decline can be an early warning sign of strength loss.

Prevention Is the Best Performance Strategy

We don’t wait for our car engine to fail before getting an oil change.
And we shouldn’t wait for pain or injury before checking in on our movement.

In a rural community especially, staying mobile means staying independent — able to work, recreate, and take care of family without long trips for medical care.

A PT check-up helps you:
• Reduce injury risk
• Stay active longer
• Catch problems early
• Build confidence in how your body moves

It’s not about finding something “wrong.”
It’s about making sure everything is working well enough for the life you want to live.

Ready to Check In on Your Movement?

If you want to make 2026 a year of strong, confident movement — not reactive injury care — a Physical Therapy Check-Up is a great place to start.

Plains Physical Therapy now offers annual movement and wellness check-ups focused on prevention, performance, and long-term mobility.

Call us to schedule your PT check-up and let’s keep you moving well for the year ahead.