Is this osteopath friendly or Pervy?

It doesn't matter what we think, if you are uncomfortable then find another osteopath. He can't do his job properly if you are tense anyway as you have to relax so he can adjust you.

I wouldn't automatically assume it was pervy. I see a lot of naked and semi-naked bodies in my job and as a result talk quite freely about all parts of the body.
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. Equally, if a previous client has had a bra that improved/exacerbated a clinical problem, I don't see the harm in recommending/advising against it to other clients.
It could be that he's perving over his daughter and clients but if he's like most of the medics and clinicians I know, the opposite is true and he sees breasts as such a clinical, non-sexual part of the body that he has no qualms about discussing them (or bras) as openly as he would discuss elbows or the pros/cons of different types of shoes wrt back pain.
Not to say that YABU to feel uncomfortable with this. Personally I don't think it's a reportable offence, but if you don't like it, find a different practitioner.

You feel uncomfortable and that is literally all that matters- don't minimise, don't reason with yourself, don't devalue you're sense of autonomy by continuing to do something with someone you don't like.

Get a new osteopath. If your daughter was the one writing the OP, what would you do? Do that.

Also, if I was chaperoning and heard what he'd said I would be blowing the whistle on him. This is especially anger inducing when you've made it clear in your post that your back pain has nothing to do with breasts or bras.

I think he's being utterly weird. Really not appropriate. This kind of behaviour is part of the reason why chaperones are offered. If you do end up going back to him, make sure someone else is in the room with you. It's not up to you to make him feel comfortable when your the one with your top off.

I wear a robe that opens at the back, which my middle aged male osteopath provides.
All the things he said would make me uncomfortable too. I'd find another one.

I think that if you are not big breasted, your pain is not associated with big breasts, he has not need to talk about big breasts and ladies bras... unless he LIKES talking about these topics, which I would consider inappropriate and unprofessional.

I see an osteopath regularly, a lovely young man in his 30s (youth is relative!). He's never asked me to take my top off, I get the impression he'd far rather I kept it on himself. I just wear a light shirt and shorts or leggings and he works through/around it. He might lift the top at the back but always asks if its OK first and he always asks/apologises if he needs to touch anything around my hips or groin.

Your man does seem odd to me, but maybe just older? I think mine has probably had training in protecting himself from allegations.

As you're uncomfortable with him, see a different osteopath.

His age is utterly irrelevant.

Talking about bras (and indeed weight of breasts) with reference to back pain is relevant.

Remarks about Anne Summers really aren't.

“ Pervy or not, if you are uncomfortable for any reason whatsoever, find a new osteopath.”

I don’t know whether it was harmless chitchat, or verging into Percy territory, but @landsparticuscleg sums it up. You feel uncomfortable with this practitioner, so find another one. Maybe if you do change, drop him a friendly email explaining how you found his ‘banter’ a little bit off. If he’s a genuine bloke, he’ll reign his chit chat in.

Tricky to say but conversation about bras is actually really relevant to low back pain as it can have a huge impact if you wear the wrong one. The talk of his daughter could just be trying to make you actually feel less embarrassed as he may be trying to suggest it’s a common problem. The Ann summers commment is not breaching confidentiality unless he is naming the patient or making her identifiable however I can see it may have been a bit cringe. Ultimately if you are uncomfortable and feel you would be more comfortable with an alternative practitioner swap but they will all and should ask you to take your top off for a proper examination unless you specifically request not to but then be aware that the assessment may not be as accurate.

I'm sorry I should have written Osteopath not chiropractor! I'm still half asleep!

He sounds creepy. In situations where I doubt myself if the person is being inappropriate, I ask myself “Would my dad say that?” or “would I be happy if DH said that to someone?” The answer is usually a resounding no!

Complain to the professional body - these people are regulated and behaviour like this is inappropriate and too common. Sadly people just change to a less pervy one so they keep on doing it. I appreciate you may not want to be bothered though.

Hi OP,

I would feel uncomfortable too. I don't see why you should suffer the pain though. Are there any other NHS chiropractors you could be referred to instead? I think you have every right to ask.
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. But you shouldn't really have to explain why.

Good luck, I hope you can get this sorted and are soon pain free.

Recommending patients wear a good supportive bra if they are presenting with thoracic spine pain is appropriate.

Mentioning Ann Summers and his wife's daughter's breasts has strayed immediately into inappropriate.

If you want to take this further then contact the General Osteopathic Council which is the registration body for osteopaths.

I would stay away. I had an experience with physio 10 years ago where I definitely didn't like the way I was touched, more than once. And the associated commentary (top of leg issue. Sure I don't need to say more). I berate myself for having not reported it.

Yeah he’s unprofessional and pushing at your boundaries. I don’t like it. I wouldn’t go back.

@woodn There's a bit of a difference between sharing details of your own body with your own parents and a professional sharing details of his underage daughter's body with a patient.

I have chronic back pain and have used osteopaths for over 30 years and only a necessary reference would ever be made towards bras. It's hard to judge whether he's inappropriate or not. The reference to saucy knickers is rather odd.
Most osteopaths are very careful about maintaining boundaries and always ask if they need to move a bra strap etc.
If he's a good osteopath and you need the treatment take someone with you.
Or you can wear a thin top and ask to leave it on although treatment may be less effective.

If you're really uncomfortable then you may need you're to get a different osteopath.

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

If you have no option but to see this chap, can you take a friend along to chaperone you? In almost any setting it’s standard to have a chaperone if you need to remove clothing whilst alone with an opposite sex practitioner.

I completely get what you are saying. Could be friendly but could be slightly creepy.

Your not in Scotland by any chance are you????? I’ve had a similar experience. Creepy if you ask me