A physical exam helps a doctor take the measure of your health. Current concerns are addressed and unrecognized problems may be spotted. But the exam also establishes a baseline vital to your future. Being poked, prodded and undressed, having our pulse and blood pressure taken, our heart and lungs listened to, our chest and back thumped, our height and weight measured, our ears, mouths, and eyes peered at. Yes, those are all routine procedures in a physical and they are routine for good reasons. In the course of a physical exam doctors can uncover a wealth of information on the function of our major organ systems. Establishing this health baseline is the first step in making a commitment to wellness as a lifelong journey.