Anxiety about physio visits: AIBU?

[PhysioNerves]

I have been going to a physio for a hip problem for a few months. I am a very anxious person and these things are really bothering me to the point I might stop going, even though it is really helpful.

Can anyone help with being honest about the following worries?

1. Am I supposed to be chatty or quiet during treatment. I think I’m too chatty. But the quiet periods feel awkward. What is normal?

1. It is a private physio in quite a posh area. I’ve noticed the other customers are very sporty, slim etc. I am not. I’m not huge but I could do with losing a stone. My hip issue is related to a car crash whereas everyone else seems sporty. I’m really self conscious that the physio will be disgusted by my body and probably dreads me coming. He obviously has to poke and prod my back and hip and bum areas so sees all my flabby bits. Obviously he is utterly professional but I feel awful. Do physios dread certain patients for this?

It feels like I’m going to be doing this for several months. What makes a good physio therapy patient.? I don’t want to be the one he dreads seeing but it is eating me up that this is the case.

I'm in related field. If you don't want to chat, then don't. We hear enough throughout the day to appreciate a bit of quiet. Also, there is such thing as "therapeutic silence" and we are trained to leave long pauses in conversations.
To a clinician, your body is just a collection of skin, muscle and bones. We couldn't care less about it's size or shape. To suggest that your physio is "dreading you coming" and, by implication, suggest that he is looking forward to touching and prodding sporty clients is actually a very very problematic thought. Please have some respect for your clinician. We don't go into practice to touch pretty people.

The only patients I dread are those that are aggressive or very rude. Or those that stink, I don't just mean coming straight from work to your appt. I mean the ones that haven't washed in days and stink of dog & fags. Everyone else is fine. I'm sure you're fine.

Thanks for replying. I don’t believe that was my implication at all. It certainly is not what I think. I think saying I don’t have respect is a stretch.
The point about silence and being a collection of skin, muscle and bones is helpful thank you.

Thank you, this is helpful. I do shower before each time.

Im not a physio but work with 'patients' in a hands on role and I promise you you don't need to worry. I really feel for you, you sound so anxious. Physios will have worked with people of all shapes and sizes - sporty people come in all shapes and sizes too! Its ok to not talk lots, as long as you are polite and im sure you are from your post. They are a professional doing their job and they will want to help you. Please try not to worry.

Blimey, that's a bit harsh from someone working in the field! I'm sure that she wasn't implying physios are creeps.

OP, you really sound like you lack confidence. Why is your self esteem so poor?
What could you do to boost that?
Physios, even the posh private ones, have all trained in the NHS. They have all taken people to the toilet and wiped 90 year old arses, they are used to seeing leg ulcers and crusty feet.
They see bigger people all the time and are sensitive to the causes of obesity.
They won't be judging you (or anyone else) at all.

Physios I know go into the field to help people who are injured. You are injured. I don’t think your comparison is helpful and I’m betting he sees those of all shapes and sizes-and he treats their injuries, because that’s what he is there for.
Some I know like quiet, others are chatty-some I have loads in common with so lots to chat about, others not so much. Maybe if you see him regularly, find out more about him so you get to chat-but only if you want to. I think most are led by the client. If you feel awkward or anxious, ask what he would prefer (pretty sure, as with most people, some days he will be chatty and happy and some days he will have a headache, or had a row with the practice manager and be quieter. It’s not just you in there……)

Thank you. This is a helpful perspective.

This is also helpful. I guess do know a tiny bit about him I guess (superficial, obviously) and obviously we’ve done the “are your Christmas decorations up” type stuff. Thinking about it, it isn’t dissimilar to the hairdresser!

Health care workers don't look at people's bodies in that way, there is never any disgust. We look as what needs fixing, and do our best to do that. You have absolutely nothing to worry about.