Will I be dressed in a physio appt

[notholt]

I think I have upper cross syndrome and posture issues. My neck and upper back ache etc and I want to see a physio about it.
Just wondering what they'll do in the appt. Im really body conscious and don't even go to spas for treatments etc. 🤦🏻‍♀️
Will I be dressed or asked to strip down. I feel like an idiot asking them this!

Just wear a low back vest top

And maybe a decent bra just in case.

I've always a been asked to strip to my bra

I had an appointment for similar and they wanted me dressed in shorts and tshirt, unfortunately I didn't know so I had to wear some of their spares which were huge! So I would advise taking some of your own with you!

You will be required to take your top off probably. Not bra. They need to see your body moving and how things align. They are NOT looking at your body in an aesthetic way- purely mechanical. And have seen literally thousands of people’s bodies.

I've had neck and shoulder physio and never had to remove my top, I just wear a vest top with a lowish back and that's always been fine.

I know. I know they've seen thousands of bodies but I am really really self conscious. My stomach, my legs just everything. Maybe if I can find a female physio that would help a little.

Not physio but been to chiropractor a few times and always had to strip to bra and knickers. I think I could sometimes keep my thick black tights on but perhaps not for the first assessment.

Sorry - it was osteopath actually. Not that it makes any difference!

I saw a physio for my knee and bum and wore gym leggings throughout. For neck & shoulder I'd say maybe a vest and sports bra, you might have to take the vest off?

I'm a massage therapist, so do require people to undress.

I've had physio treatments wearing a vest and leggings, and wearing a bra and trousers.

What I want to say is, they are not worried about what you look like. They really aren't. I've had very large clients, I have had tiny clients. I have had clients with scars from acne, self harm and operations. I've had clients with really problematic (but not contagious) skin conditions, stretch marks, varicose veins etc etc etc.

Honestly, I'm much more interested in the person, and making them feel better when they leave than when they arrived than in any of that (other than how it affects the treatment - eg avoiding working over varicose veins).

Often the most self concious clients are the ones who's issues are really not obvious, and are only a big deal to them because they are so focused on it being an issue.

Please don't let being self concious get in the way of much needed medical care.

I’ve been to a physio on the nhs and a chiropractor and they didn’t ask me to remove any clothing. I wore a vest top and sweat pants.

Perhaps it depends on what area your problem is. They could see the top of my spine and neck easily and saw the problem (whiplash).
Although I also had lower back pain a few years later and I still didn’t have to remove clothing! You’d think they’d want to get a proper look but perhaps my clothing was sufficiently think they could see my spine through it.

I had to go to the physio due to a bad should ( and may have to go again soon as it’s come back) just had to take my top off, if it’s winter if I go again I will be wearing a pretty vest this time under the top

I have to take my top off and he usually just undoes my bra if the straps are in the way. I'm lying on my stomach so he doesn't really see anything and if he did, I doubt its anything he hasn't seen before. I actually feel better about my stretch marks because he doesn't react to them at all. Most people have them and I suppose it normalises it for me.

I have worn shorts (get changed T the bedside), bra & a crop top bra thing over the top. Failing that, you could get a spaghetti strap vest, to go over the bra.

The will probably need to see you in the bra, and look at posture/spine from the front & behind.

I have always requested a female Physio & they have never questioned my request.

If you are asking your G.P for a referral and know which hospital it will be at, then you can ring the Physio Dept, speak to admin and request a female, they should put it on your notes.

If you self refer, by collecting and completing a form at the Physio Dept, then you can write 'female Therapist please' on the form yourself, although I don't think they will accept self referrals for neck & back.

I guess at the moment, due to restrictions that you may recieve a video call & talk to the Therapist that way.

You may have to wait around 6 weeks as well.

I hope you get it sorted.

P.S, some G.P surgeries have a Physio, if you didn't know & it should be on their website.

It may be a good idea to phone the department and ask this question. They may give you some advice, give you pointers of what to wear.

Why not just wear some high waist bottoms and a low back spaghetti strap vest. That way theres plenty of options if they need to remove clothes for you to keep plenty covered

But I cannot stress enough how disinterested a physiotherapist will be in your body other than from the medical side. Physiotherapists see many many bodies daily, fat bodies, thin bodies, old bodies, young bodies, scarred bodies, bodies with skin conditions etc. Realisitically physiotherapists often see bodies in their worst state - after surgery or when you are recovering in hospital, ill or frail etc. That is the whole point of a physiotherapist. Whatever it is making you self conscious the physiotherapist wont give a shiny shit, they will only care about your back problems

@Verite1

Not physio but been to chiropractor a few times and always had to strip to bra and knickers. I think I could sometimes keep my thick black tights on but perhaps not for the first assessment.

I’ve never had to strip down at a chiropractor or osteopath and I’ve seen several 😱