To feel shamed by this question?

[HappyHen17]

Please be gentle as this has really left me feeling like crap and I’d like to know if there’s any real reason for the question that I was asked. I’ve had hip issues for ages and finally decided to use my birthday money to go to a private physio as I’d waited so long on the NHS. During my examination she asked several questions about my stretch marks and how I’d got them-I had some big weight gain and loss in my early 20s relating to difficult circumstances, plus pregnancy. I left feeling really uncertain about why I was asked and really self conscious about how I must look to professionals. I’ve always enjoyed massages and as the hip issues are still not resolved, one would be useful but I feel so insecure. Does anyone know if there’s a medical reason for the question as that may help me to feel better about it.

I’d assume she was asking because they can be from weight gain which I guess could affect your hips. Although from a healthcare professional I would think they could just ask about weight gain as it’s a legitimate question.

I would have thought weight issues and hip issues could be linked?

She wanted to know about your weight gain op

and very very sensibly

Stretchmarks can be a sign of a connective tissue disorder. DH is slim and has stretch marks due to such a disorder.
Edit: Just to add that it was a physio that realised he had the disorder, he was sent after years of problems with his knees.

Stretch marks can be a sign of Ehlers Danlos syndrome

If you had been several stone heavier for a number of years, that would definitely have affected the stresses on your hip joints. I was asked if I had had any major weight changes when I saw a consultant about a back problem.

Anything which can affect the joints needs to be ruled out or in

When I was younger I put up with a lot of remarks and intrusive questions from medical professionals which upset me greatly.
Now i'm older I would challenge things that I don't understand. So in your case I would have directly said " why are you asking? " or " what bearing does that have on my situation ".
I would hope that the reasons for the questions are as pp have explained but honestly please ask. It's your health. Your body. Totally your business.

Lots of NHS physio is online. My sister resolved her sciatica by using it. Good luck, don’t feel crap 💐

You want a medical view
and you view their enquiries as intrusive

bloody hell I wouldn’t be a hcp

Bloody hell, we really are at the point of being offended by everything, aren't we? A medical professional asking questions to help them to understand your issue and you take umbrage. Maybe use your words and ask them to explain the connection instead of getting huffy and posting on here.

I'm sorry I dont understand your point.

Op has been asked questions about her stretch marks and she doesn't understand the relevance of these questions to her current medical condition.
.L All i'm saying is it's her body and her medical problem so if she doesn't understand why they are asking she should question them as to the relevance and significance

She is a human being, she has a right to know why.
In the past I've been treated as an unfeeling, inanimate object by medical professionals but I won't accept that now.
So.please explain your point as you seem to be saying she has no right to understand her medical treatment.

Wondering if you might have EDS or hypermobility syndrome which can manifest (including myself) in having an unusual amount of stretchmarks.
Very relevant for them to ask imo.

Yes it is relevant to know whether someone has gained & lost a lot of weight (including pregnancies). When you are overweight/pregnant, you cause more wear and tear on your joints, especially the hip, knee, and ankle. It can also affect your feet- causing pronation which in turn can cause issues with knees and hips.

I know it’s a sensitive issue for you. Please be reassured it’s part of your medical history.

Some of us don’t think of questions until after we have left the appointment 😅
Asking on here isn’t evidence that the physiotherapist refused to give op information.

I totally agree with you.

I just think generally think people should adjust their mindset going into a medical appointment so that if you don't understand - what or why you they are asking something - or anything at all in fact to do with your medical condition or possible outcomes , treatment etc then ask.

Yes I agree if it is mindset instead of brain fog or forgetfulness 🙃

My physio has never seen my stretch marks because they’ve never seen me when I’ve not been fully clothed! Is this normal??

I think it's strange that your physio didn't explain why they were asking, which might have made you feel less uncomfortable. There is nothing wrong with asking for clarification if you don't understand.

My physio is fantastic but she's ex-Royal Navy and scary as fuck. Sometimes you have to be a bit assertive with them, you are paying after all.

I was specifically referring to your post
not the OP’s

The OP has hip problems. A physio would need to see that part of the anatomy, and see how it moves, without it being completely covered with clothing.

I think it’s fine. I understand that it feels like a sensitive topic but they need to establish your medical history to help solve the problem. Things like pregnancy can have massive effects on hips, lower back, core muscles. Similarly weight loss or gain can cause issues too. I think it’s just part of the diagnosis and treatment programme.

I dont know what that emoji means because I communicate in words not pictures. But I'm assuming you're are trying to be sarcastic?
Yes of course I understand brain fog and forgetfulness. But if I had a medical appointment about a specific issue - in OP's case an issue about her hip - and the medical professionals started asking questions about something she totally hadn't any particular concerns about at that time - in this case stretch marks -then brain fog or forgetfulness doesn't even enter into the equation.
It's about people's reticence to advocate for themselves.

Well yes . I understand you were referring to my post.
But I still don't understand what you are trying to say other than we are supposed to sit there and accept what people say to us in medical situations without us having an understanding of what is going on.

You said any times you felt that the questions you’d been asked had been very “intrusive”

You went to said HCP for a health issue
They were asking “intrusive” question to get to the bottom of said health issue