Various Types Of Physical Examinations

At The Sufletesc Center, we can perform perform various types of physical examinations. Chiropractors can perform any and all types of "medical" examinations including routine physicals, employment physicals, and athletic physicals. Federal law permits chiropractors to perform Department Of Transportation (DOT) driver fitness determination exams, which are required to be administered every two years to people who hold commercial driver's licenses. In the state of California, it is required that a chiropractor be trained in performing male and female genitourinary examinations, including prostate screening and pap smears. It is becoming increasingly more popular to find chiropractors on staff in many hospitals across the U.S., thusly the American Academy of Hospital Chiropractors has recently been created. Chiropractors can also write orders for their patients to have almost any type of lab work done to aid them in the determination of one's health status. Here is a detailed explanation of each type of exam that is performed:

1 - The Basic Chiropractic Examination

This examination checks for spinal and extra-spinal subluxations, range of motion, pain, muscle tension, fluid buildup in joints, orthopedic and neurological tests as needed.

2 - Full Neurological Evaluation

This examination includes #1 and also examines the 12 cranial nerves and dermatomal evaluations including heat/cold sensation, sharp/dull sensation, muscle strength tests, deep tendon reflexes.

3 - Body Systems Evaluation (the "routine physical")

The following areas are examined: vision, hearing, blood pressure, circulation, basic urinalysis, height & weight, skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat, immune system including lymph nodes, heart, lungs, abdomen, genitourinary*, muscular, and neurological systems.

*The genitourinary exam does not include a colposcopy exam or a digital rectal exam.

4 - Complete Comprehensive Examination (includes 1, 2 and 3 done together)

This is the standard examination given to people that come to us for the evaluation and care of refractory chronic conditions if the condition affects multiple body systems. It is also performed on those who wish to receive this level of examination which is generally more detailed than the "routine" physical examination that is performed by a general health practitioner.

5 - Employment, School, Sports, and D.O.T. physicals

This examination checks for all areas that are required by your particular employer, school, sports team, etc.

If you are in need of a D.O.T. physical form, you can download one here by clicking on the link below: (this file is in PDF format)

DOT driver fitness determination exam form

If you are a new patient of The Sufletesc Center who is visiting us for any type of physical examination, please print and fill out the following form and present it to us on your first visit:

Patient/Payment Information Form