Comprehensive health care is an essential part of protecting your physical and mental health as you age. At Injury and Health Institute in San Antonio, Texas, board-certified family medicine specialist Melissa Kempf, MD, and the team deliver expert primary care to preserve your health and well-being. The team performs annual physicals, chronic disease management, immunizations, and other preventive treatments that help you feel your best. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about primary care. 

What is primary care?

Primary care is the most common type of medical care you’ll receive. Primary care specialists have broad training that enables them to diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions. This specialty also prioritizes preventive care to help you maintain optimal health as you age. 

As your first point of contact, the primary care providers at Injury and Health Institute work with you to ensure you receive comprehensive health care. The team performs thorough health screenings, treats acute illnesses and injuries, provides chronic disease management, and offers specialist referrals. 

What does primary care include?

Injury and Health Institute provides a broad range of primary care services, such as:

Well visits

A well visit is a comprehensive health screening. During these visits, the team performs a visual and cognitive assessment. They review your medical history, take your vitals (blood pressure, temperature, and respiration rate), and provide nutrition and lifestyle counseling. The team may also administer immunizations at these annual visits.

Annual physicals

An annual physical is more thorough than a well visit. These screenings include all the steps of a well visit as well as a head-to-toe physical exam. A physical involves looking inside your ears, nose, and throat, listening to your heart and lungs, palpating your abdomen, and testing your reflexes.

Sports physicals

Sports physicals help determine whether you’re healthy and fit enough to play certain sports. If you have a child involved in competitive sports or school-sponsored teams, they must pass a sports physical exam.

Chronic disease management

Chronic diseases, like diabetes, require long-term care to manage and prevent complications. If you have a chronic condition, the team may recommend more frequent visits, routine lab work, imaging scans, medication, and lifestyle modifications.

Sports injury treatments

From joint injections to physical therapy, the team can care for a wide range of sports injuries, including ankle sprains, tendon injuries, and herniated spinal discs.

Sick care

Sick care addresses acute illnesses, such as strep throat, the flu, and sinus infections. The team offers thorough testing to diagnose and treat your condition.

When should I see my primary care provider?

You should schedule an annual physical once every year or two, depending on your age and health history. The team also recommends scheduling a visit if you experience acute illness symptoms, such as:

• Fever
• Persistent cough
• Runny nose
• Lethargy
• Sore throat
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Runny nose
• Earache

Call Injury and Health Institute today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about primary care.