Is this osteopath friendly or Pervy?

If you aren't comfortable then he is not right for you.
Years ago we took dc to an osteopath who seemed friendly enough but I was on edge with him and DH said he was too. He was later suspended for inappropriate treatment on women.

@welliesarefuntowear JFC that's awful!

You're not comfortable and I can see why, go elsewhere.

He should know better than talk like that to a patient
I would request a change of practitioner
Creepy

It might not be outrageously creepy, but that doesn’t matter. I think as an osteopath you are in such close contact with patients and often touching them in quite private places, so you have to be squeaky clean. There’s so much trust there and they really really have to make sure the patient is comfortable and that there isn’t a trace of inappropriateness. The ‘I bet you say that to all the boys’ comment alone feels very off in that context, even if it might not be a big deal in another setting.

And as others have said, it doesn’t matter what we all think. If you aren’t comfortable then don’t ignore that feeling. Speak up. Ask for a different osteopath and don’t let worries about hurting his feelings override your very useful and sensible instincts.

There was a good episode of the Guilty Feminist about Instinct, and she said that all the times in her life where something bad had happened to her, she felt like her instincts had been telling her something was off but she ignored them for fear of being rude/difficult/awkward. That isn’t to say it’s therefore women’s fault if something bad does happen, but those feelings are there for a reason and women have spent far too long pushing them down to keep other people happy!

I actually think a lot of sleazy men do this thing where they skirt the very fine line between appropriate and inappropriate chat so women are left guessing themselves and wonder if they are just being paranoid

I absolutely agree. Years ago I saw a GP who thought it appropriate to fondle my breasts when I'd gone to him as I was having a miscarriage. This left me feeling as though it was a necessary part of 5he examination. This shit still happens, my experience was about 20 years ago.

Why do you need to take your top off? I’ve used Osteopaths quite a bit over the years and never needed to disrobe.

Hit post too soon -

As a healthcare provider this man should err on the side of caution and make sure nothing he says could be misconstrued or taken out of context. I think OP should trust your instincts on this one and move on

I actually think a lot of sleazy men do this thing where they skirt the very fine line between appropriate and inappropriate chat so women are left guessing themselves and wonder if they are just being paranoid

The association between big breasts and back pain is a well-documented clinical issue and I would think most osteopaths, chiropractors etc would notice if their daughters were at risk of or currently suffered from this, and would advise them appropriately.

OP does not have big breasts @JonnyPocketRocket.
OP does not require treatment advice concerning the Osteo's daughter.
Osteo has deliberately shoehorned in an inecessary conversation about large breasts, bras, & for crying out loud Ann Summers knickers.

he sees breasts as such a clinical, non-sexual part of the body that he has no qualms about discussing them (or bras)
His qualms are irrelevant. What is relevant is his patient, & if he is having difficulty understanding this, he needs to get some training in asap regarding appropriate behaviour & bedside manner.

It could be a very clumsy attempt at humour, but if it offends and you aren’t comfortable, find someone else.

Maybe if you do change, drop him a friendly email explaining how you found his ‘banter’ a little bit off.

Yeah, because sleazy fuckers who enjoy making women feel vulnerable & uncomfortable, & who have worked out a routine that makes the woman feel just enough on edge to titillate him, but leaves her unsure of exactly how inappropriate he is being, will respond well to a friendly email ...
What would be the point of emailing him?
What do you think the outcome would be?

Any emailing should be to her GP, copying the Osteo & his practice manager if he has one, outlining his inappropriate & unprofessional conversational style.

Maybe ask if you could be referred to a female and say something like you don't feel comfortable in your underwear being treated by a man.

Or maybe - & I know how radical a thought process this is on MN - OP could JUST TELL THE TRUTH to her GP, that the Osteo made unprofessional & sleazy remarks, & she does not wish to be alone in a room with him & wishes for a new recommendation?

Take a chaperone.
You'll soon see if this is harmless banter.
If he reigns it in with a chaperone present then you'll have your answer.

I could ask for a chaperone, that would make me feel better but I know I won’t, becuase then he’ll know I’ve felt uncomfortable, which will make me more uncomfortable.

You're not helping yourself here OP.
You'd actually rather suffer the pain than take action? FFS!

Either get the chaperone - which will send a clear message to the Osteo, who is the ONLY person who needs to be feeling uncomfortable here ...
Or get back to your GP, tell her exactly what you have told us, & ask for a different Osteo.

I’ve seen a chiropractor and an osteopath. At the chiropractor they gave gowns to wear, at the osteopath it was keep you own clothes on. No top off at either.

I talk about mine hurting my back with my dad and he would bring it up in a conversation with my mum.

And does your dad then find arbitrary 'reasons' to talk about the size of your chest to women who have taken their tops off in his clinic, @woodn? Does he also shoehorn in mentions of bra fastenings & Ann Summers pants?

If he does, he's a sleazy fucker.
HTH

YABU

This reminds of the time I saw a private psychologist (older 60's) in when I was 19/20 (easily looked 5 years younger) and he repeatedly mentioned writing down my sexual thoughts. He'd use any way to get it into the conversation. I never ever initiated it. I was single and had no issue with it. There was absolutely no need to keep bringing up stuff like that. I had trouble with social anxiety, it was completely irrelevant. I stopped going after about a month.

It's inappropriate.

I reckon I know who you are talking about!

Are you in the north west?

I had a similar experience years ago - and the guy was a family friend. I never went back.

Years later heard a tale through a third party about a woman who imagined she was in a relationship with her osteopath, but she was actually just being used. It was no surprise to me when the gentleman’s name was mentioned!

Trust your instincts. This isn't OK. Ask for a chaperone if you feel you can go back. Don't worry about his feelings - he should know he's made you feel uncomfortable. Men who get to work with women when we're undressed must be sensitive and aware - protecting them from the consequences of making inappropriate comments means they never change. Asking also means that his workplace become aware that women don't want to be alone with him.
I'm not trying to shift any blame on you OP - he's the one with the problem behaviour. Just to point out that unless we all call out inappropriate pervy men, they carry on unchallenged. If you don't go back at least flag up the specific comments he made to your GP? A letter or email (paper trail) will be hard to ignore - there's a greater awareness of abusers in the medical system preying on women and likely to get you an alternative practitioner.

Yeah that would get my hackles up straight away. Anne summers reference alone would see me not going back

Sharing details of a previous client's underwear choice is a breach of confidentiality, surely?

Not unless the client is identifiable.

'The association between big breasts and back pain is a well-documented"

The op has made it clear this is not the problem here.