Is this normal behaviour from a male practitioner?

[thebeachismyhappyplace2]

So in the past whenever I have been for a massage, treatment or any kind of medical that’s required me to just strip down to my underwear the practitioner has always left the room whilst I get undressed and told me to cover myself with a towel before they return to the room to commence the treatment.

I’ve recently had a couple of acupuncture sessions with a male practitioner and he’s asked me to get undressed whilst he is still in the room. It just made me feel a bit uncomfortable tbh as I had to walk from one end of the room to the treatment bed in my underwear. Is this normal behaviour?

No! I've had loads of acupuncture and the like and never had that. Are you otherwise comfortable with him?

No, I don’t think that’s normal behaviour (but even if it were, if it makes you feel uncomfortable you don’t have to put up with it). I’ve always been alone in the room or behind a curtain. I would feel uncomfortable undressing in a room with him in there. Does he raise other red flags for you?

Not normal, no

It would make me uncomfortable, certainly and I'd have to reconsider any future appointments.

I've been quite a few physios and massage practioners both male and female and I don't think any have done this! I'd take trousers off with shorts on underneath while they were there, or t-shirt down to sports bra if that's the area that's going to be exposed anyway but no one has ever expected me to walk across the room in my undies!

I know very strange right!

Absolutely not, really unprofessional.

I strip off at my acupuncturist without a screen. At first I was a bit nervous but now I’m used to it. There is a screen folded up in the corner but we are both female so I think that helped and she didn’t drag it out and I didn’t ask.

I don’t know what she does for male patients. Or perhaps guys don’t bother about this stuff as they all use urinals and communal changing rooms etc and are used to others being around.

I don’t particularly like my body but let’s face it they’d see as much if I was in a bikini on the beach! I suppose you could wear a bikini if it makes you feel more confident.

But I do feel they should have the offer of a screen or leave the room for a mo til you get on the table under the towel/cover. You could look up the website of the professional body and see if it offers advice? Don’t suppose it will though.

He is very good at what he does and is very reputable. I feel so much better (I had been in a lot of pain prior to appointments) but my instinct is telling me something isn’t quite right and I can’t really explain why. The only other red flag is that whilst I laid down covered in needles he was sat on a chair near my feet and although I was covered in a towel at that point I kept wondering if he was looking through the towel as my legs were slightly open due to the needles that were in my feet (but that’s probably me just being paranoid)

Re getting feet done, mine stuffs the towel that’s over me down the gap between my legs between my knees so nobody could see up to my pants and her hand is obv nowhere near my hoo ha when she does it as it’s lowish down my legs.

Wear cycling shorts for a bit more coverage? I don’t like to think he’s being a perv. That’s horrible for you. I’d hate that too. If you don’t feel comfortable try another therapist but if he’s good at treating the pain and it’s working for you it’s up to you.

Is he foreign? It is pretty much unheard of for practitioners here to behave like this but it is totally normal elsewhere. I had one massage in Austria where the bloke ordered me to undress right down to my pants while he stood and stared at me. The same in reverse when he had finished. And I have had many other massages abroad where they don't leave the room while you change.

Spodge - no he’s English

I'd listen to your instinct. It's there for a reason.

If ask him to leave the room while you undress. I've never had a therapist/massage person/chiropractor do this.

I'd ask, not if ask! Sorry.

Why do you have to get undressed if the treatment is on your feet? Surely you just need bare feet and the lower leg?

I had a bad experience with a doctor giving me acupuncture some years ago. I wish I had reported him but it's too late now and I don't even remember his name. I never went back.

Trust your instincts.

Rambling - treatment isn’t on feet, it’s in arm but sometimes with acupuncture they put needles in you all over your body

I wild say that I had weekly acupuncture for 2 years and I never actually had to take my clothes off down to my underwear. As long as I could roll my trousers up to mid thigh (or wear a dress) and sleeves above the elbow she did just fine. Had some on my back but they were in and out points and were done sat up with my top tucked under my bra strap.

All this entirely down to your underwear for legs and arms feels odd

What are you being treated for?

Sadie - a frozen shoulder

For those who don’t know about acupuncture, they can put needles in anywhere, doesn’t have to be near the place that’s sore. I’ve had needles in my feet, legs, tummy, back chest (not breast obv) hands, arms, ears, and head.

I don’t understand why we have to strip either. If the therapist knows where the needles are going to be after chatting with me about my symptoms before removal of clothing she could say ‘just remove your top this time’ or ‘roll your trousers up only’ so I can only conclude that they must start treating you and if it’s not as effective as they thought they will put extra needles in somewhere else. I know the points run in lines round the body. So it’s a precautionary measure?

I could understand that. Especially if the place is big, like the Chinese medical centre I went to which had five tiny rooms and the therapist had me undress and on the table first as he went from one to another and back to twiddle my needles then off to the next room then back to move my needles again etc. It could be hard to remember what bits could need uncovered in advance so everything off makes it easier? And I suppose if they tell you to undress and havent yet discussed symptoms they wouldn’t know what places need needles so everything off makes it easier?

Ps if anyone’s interested the silver coloured needles (stainless steel?) are the dearest and copper are cheapest. So you can tell how much the therapist spends in their ‘tools of the trade’!

I had acupuncture for repetitive strain/tendonitis in my arm and I only had to bare my arm.

Yeah I probably won’t go back. It’s a shame as I was starting to feel better despite the weird undressing situation!

I have had a very reputable practitioner stay in the room but turn his back/ busy himself with emails and not look.

Jingling - see that situation wouldn’t bother me but he literally stood there and carried on talking to me whilst I undressed, just a bit weird