What is the code of practise re: removing clothes???

This might just be me being a prude? Whenever I have had physio in the past (i have a problem with my pelvis & lower back pain) the physio,s have allowed me to wear shorts, they have always left the room whilst I get dressed & undressed and i feel comfortable.

I have recently changed therapist. The physio does not leave the room and has me in my underwear for the session. The physio will also pull my knickers right down when i am lay on my stomach to work on a muscle in my bottom. I find it really hard to relax.

Is this common practise?

Thanks.

Hi there,

It is common practice to expose the area you are working on. In certain situations I feel too uncomfortable as a male therapist to have woman be in the position you mention and I try to work through a pair of shorts... to be fair, it's not as effective and I am not providing the best treatment I can.

You must remember of course that you have the right to stop therapy at any time if you are uncomfortable. Your best bet is to very casually say your last therapist let you keep your shorts on and that you've asked around and you know that what your therapist is doing is normal practice but it makes you uncomfortable and you find it hard to relax and you believe that it is affecting the therapy because of that... Which I'm sure isn't true, if you are uncomfortable and tensing while they are doing piriformis release or something like that then their therapy will not be as effective as it should.

Any half decent physio will understand and will respect your wishes. Don't be surprised if the physio says they need to do it to give you the best treatement they can... but it's your body and it's still your call.

I can only speak for the rights of a patient in NZ, now I'm sure they are the same in the UK, but google rights of patients in the UK and I'm sure you'll find something that will give you the courage to speak up. :)

Good luck with your discussion,
Pudding.

I'd agree that it is perfectly normal to have you in a bra and underwear. However if you feel uncomfortable then bring a pair of shorts, or better lycra/legging type shorts, and just tell the therapist that you will feel more comfortable wearing them. The should really ask you if you'd like a place to change or if you'd like it if they left the room while you popped them on. That's just good form in my book but there's nothing unprofessional if they don't offer it. To be honest some times I have asked the clients if they'd put a few more clothes back on!

dear Betsy,

It so depends on the culture and the country.
In most Northern European countries, people just take their clothes off and this is never a problem.
In most Souther European countries the same.

More than once I would have patients that like taking all their clothes off and they will lie down naked... even if they are coming for a wrist problem!:)
I have worked in Holland, Germany and Spain and have never had a problem with people feeling embarrased.
I am female and that I realize that this can make a difference.

In Holland and Germany we normally work alone. We do not have the situation as in your country that someone comes in
to chaparone if for example a female patient is going to see a male physiotherapist. When I first experienced this I found this very "different".
In Spain, a whole family will come and watch the treatment...

Our profession makes that we need to look at you closely and the very best way to do this is with the patient in underwear.
We touch and palpate and need to feel the muscles and joints to decide what is best. Part of our treatment can only be realized with us touching you..
I realize that not everyone will be comfortable with this. What I often do, in the case of someone feeling very
uncomfortable is... tell the patient I need to see and feel (very important.. we are a hands-on profession) and that I
cover them up with towels during and after this. I also make sure no-one will just walk into the room.

I have seen that there are huge differences in the various countries... and we need to respect this as a health professional.
I must say I am glad I have never had to treat someone through their clothes as I realize that some of my colleagues do. This must
be very difficult.

Hope you feel a little better.

kind regards

Esther

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for the info! Feel much better!

Yikes - naked for a wrist injury! :-)

Thanks

Hi Badbackbetsy,
All the advice given so far is excellent. Just to lighten the discussion: there is a joke regarding psychiatrists where the psychiatrist asks the patient to take off all their clothes, fold them neatly and place them
on top of his clothes on the corner table.

We physio's are generally not like the fictitional therapist inthe joke!

Another version is set in a waiting room where two women are waiting in the reception area, both naked,as one says to the other, "I do not understand why the Doctor requests that we undress, I have only come here because of a head cold", to which the other patient replies,"How do you think I feel? I have only come to pay my account."

Sorry about that - my humour is sicker than most of my patients.
Cheers,
MrPhysio+

Ha ha, that has amused me!

I have to say I gave myself a good talking to and when I went to my next appointment march straight in and got undressed! The physio then said "oh your undressed, i was going to have a chat with you first"! Have gone from one extreme to another!!! :-)

Hi Badback betsy,
We therapists try to remain unpredictable to stop patient boredom. Glad you had a laugh - good medicine.
Hope you will feel better soon.
Cheers,
MrPhysio+

I have been told that my physiotherapy is to be done with my being totally naked. The work is to be done on my lower back for a problem that I was born with. One leg longer than the other. I expected to be told to strip to my underwear and for this I have a sports bra and lycia shorts type underwear. I am not comfortablewith their request but apparentlyi have no choice. Ive been made to feel thst im being awkward. Im not to have any covers or robe and the exercises are to be done naked. Is this correct. It is apparently because my clothing could csrry covid. I've never known this

I hope u are joking. Whatever country you are from there is probably a registratory body (the place where the Physio’s register to get their license). Call them and explain what has happened and ask their advice.
Where I’m from that person would loose their license for this but it’s not the same in the whole world. For now go to a different physio, or say u do not feel comfortable and just want to be given some exercises to try