Current:Home > FinanceI got 14 medical tests done at this fancy resort. I didn't need most of them. -Profound Wealth Insights
I got 14 medical tests done at this fancy resort. I didn't need most of them.
View
Date:2025-04-18 22:57:17
TUCSON, Ariz. – You know the drill. You go to the doctor's office for your annual physical. Everything looks OK, but they recommend some routine bloodwork to check a couple of things to be safe.
Imagine doing that – plus more than a dozen other tests – and you'll understand what I experienced at Canyon Ranch, a wellness resort offering a new longevity program called "Longevity8" with eight health pillars: integrative medicine, mental and emotional health, strength and endurance, sleep, flexibility and fitness, spiritual wellness, nutrition and outdoor experiences. It will cost a pricey $20,000 for single people and $36,000 for couples.
Here's a look at all the tests I had done as part of the program – and what outside medical professionals actually thought was worth it.
- Extensive bloodwork (beyond what a doctor would typically prescribe)
- Galleri cancer screening
- EKG
- Carotid doppler
- Pulmonary function test
- Diet intake and consultation
- Continuous glucose monitoring
- Therapy session
- Spirituality session
- Joint assessment
- DEXA body composition and bone density analysis
- Genetic testing
- VO2 max assessment
- Sleep study
What is the average life expectancy?And how to improve your longevity.
What medical tests does the average person need? Not many.
Overall, outside medical experts I spoke to thought most of the testing I had done was highly specialized and unnecessary for the average person. Multiple doctors recommended people check out the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for guidance on any kind of preventive care.
Looking at the Canyon Ranch protocol specifically: The most reasonable tests were the bloodwork and diet intake and consultation, according to Dr. Douglas E. Vaughan, professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the director of the Potocsnak Longevity Institute. Specific patient populations might benefit from specialized tests, like the DEXA body composition (i.e. women after menopause who typically lose bone density). Certain symptoms might prompt some of these assessments as well. Asthmatic patients, for example, might want a pulmonary function test after chatting with their doctor.
The VO2 max assessment is "usually performed for athletes or individuals interested in cardiovascular fitness," says Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, associate professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. "Not standard for routine screening." Ditto for the continuous glucose monitoring: It's "primarily used for individuals with diabetes or prediabetes to manage and monitor glucose levels."
The short answer: No need to break the bank, and if you want to do some additional testing, blood work is probably your best bet. Still, if you'd like to take it a step further, you can easily find specialty facilities and doctors who will be happy to take your check.
The reporter on this story received access to these services from Canyon Ranch. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
veryGood! (13586)
Related
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- A Shopper Says This Liquid Lipstick Lasted Through a Root Canal: Get 6 for $8.49 on Amazon Prime Day
- Officials work to protect IV supplies in Florida after disruptions at North Carolina plant
- Brown rejects calls to divest from companies in connection with pro-Palestinian protests on campus
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Delta’s Q3 profit fell below $1 billion after global tech outage led to thousands of cancellations
- This Garment Steamer Is Like a Magic Wand for Your Wardrobe and It’s Only $24 During Amazon Prime Day
- This Garment Steamer Is Like a Magic Wand for Your Wardrobe and It’s Only $24 During Amazon Prime Day
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Kate Middleton Makes First Public Engagement With Prince William Since Finishing Chemotherapy
Ranking
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- New evidence emerges in Marilyn Manson case, Los Angeles DA says
- 16-year-old bicyclist struck, driven 4 miles while trapped on car's roof: Police
- Phaedra Parks Slams “Ding-a-Ling” Gene Simmons Over Dancing With the Stars Low Score
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- Ali Wong Tries to Set Up Hoda Kotb and Eric André on Date
- When will Nick Chubb return? Latest injury updates on Browns RB
- 'God's got my back': Some Floridians defy evacuation orders as Hurricane Milton nears
Recommendation
Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
This Historic Ship Runs on Coal. Can It Find a New Way Forward?
Big Ten clash between Ohio State and Oregon leads college football Week 7 predictions for Top 25 games
'We will not be able to come': Hurricane Milton forces first responders to hunker down
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock reunite to talk surviving 'Speed,' 30 years later
Shop Flannel Deals Under $35 and Save Up to 58% Before Prime Day Ends!
Professional Climber Michael Gardner Dead at 32 in Nepal