Current:Home > reviewsI got 14 medical tests done at this fancy resort. I didn't need most of them. -ProsperityStream Academy
I got 14 medical tests done at this fancy resort. I didn't need most of them.
Fastexy Exchange View
Date:2025-04-08 12:25:21
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! (98)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Here's what investors are saying about Biden dropping out — and what it means for your 401(k)
- Psst! Banana Republic’s Summer Sale Is Full of Cute Workwear up to 60% Off, Plus 20% off Select Styles
- Here's what investors are saying about Biden dropping out — and what it means for your 401(k)
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Donald Trump’s lawyers urge New York appeals court to overturn ‘egregious’ civil fraud verdict
- Gigi Hadid Gives Her Honest Review of Blake Lively’s Movie It Ends With Us
- Montana education board discusses trends, concerns in student achievement
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Cyber security startup Wiz reportedly rejects $23 billion acquisition proposal from Google
Ranking
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after Wall Street breaks losing streak
- Mark Carnevale, former PGA Tour winner and golf broadcaster, dies a week after working his last tournament
- Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in rollover wreck in Illinois, no injuries reported
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Who can challenge U.S. men's basketball at Paris Olympics? Power rankings for all 12 teams
- Watchdog who criticized NYPD’s handling of officer discipline resigns
- Psst! Banana Republic’s Summer Sale Is Full of Cute Workwear up to 60% Off, Plus 20% off Select Styles
Recommendation
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
Google reneges on plan to remove third-party cookies in Chrome
New Mexico village battered by wildfires in June now digging out from another round of flooding
July is Disability Pride Month. Here's what you should know.
The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
Russia says its fighter jets intercepted 2 U.S. strategic bombers in the Arctic
Love Island USA's Kendall Washington Addresses Leaked NSFW Video
2022 model Jeep and Ram vehicles under investigation by feds after multiple safety complaints