Choosing the correct clothing for a physiotherapy appointment can have a significant impact on how effective your session is and how comfortable you feel. Deciding what to wear can be confusing especially if it is your first visit to a physiotherapist. Within this blog post we will take a look at what happens at your appointment, and provide you with practical tips on the most appropriate clothing to wear to ensure you get the results you want from your physiotherapy in Leeds.
What You Can Expect at your First Physiotherapy Appointment
During your first appointment there will be quite a lot of talking as your physiotherapist will use this to get to know your medical history, the cause of the injury, what areas of your body are affected and how it is impacting on your day to day life. It is important that you give your physio as much information as possible as this will help them when devising a treatment plan.
Next they will carry out a full physical examination of the injury to diagnose the problem as well as assessing your mobility, strength and the limitations your injury is placing on you. Once they have completed this your physio will be able to develop a treatment plan tailored to your exact needs.
The final part of your initial appointment will typically involve some treatment on the affected area. This could be massage, some routine stretching, ultrasound or taping. You should be aware that during this part of the appointment your physio will need to use their hands on your skin. When you arrive for your appointment you should be prepared for examination and treatment so it is better to wear clothing that you can remove and put back on quickly.
What is the Most Appropriate Type of Clothing to Wear for your Physiotherapy Appointment
Comfortable athletic wear is the perfect choice for anyone visiting a physiotherapist. Loose fitting clothes will allow you to move easily and do any of the exercises your physio may prescribe. Track suits, joggers, shorts and hoodies are good examples of the type of clothing that are perfect for any visit to a physio. We recommend that you do not wear tight fitting garments as this could impede you when carrying out your exercises.
Wearing the correct footwear is equally as important and our advice would be to choose closed toe athletic shoes such as trainers or running shoes. The reason for this is that they will not only provide stability during exercises but are generally comfortable and easy to remove if necessary. The same goes if you are taking your child to children’s physiotherapy sessions, loose, comfortable clothes are the way to go!
Now, we are well aware that you don’t always come to physio appointments from home. For example if you have to come straight from work, we suggest that you ensure you are prepared by taking the appropriate clothing with you and changing before attending your appointment.
Try to avoid wearing any jewellery or accessories or at least put them in your bag during your physiotherapy appointment. Items of jewellery such as bracelets, necklaces or large earrings can be a safety hazard if you are engaged in certain exercises.
Dress for your Injury
While you may not know what your injury is, you will be aware which part of the body it is affecting. So, you should try to wear clothes that allow easy access to that part of the body. For example, if you have a problem with your knee then it is advisable to wear shorts or loose pants that can be easily rolled up. Doing this will make examination and treatment much easier and quicker.
To Summarise
Making sure you wear the right type of clothing can help make your visit to the Physio much easier and more beneficial. While you may have to prepare for a number of eventualities at your initial appointment, you should be well aware of what is needed for subsequent visits. By being prepared for your appointment and wearing the correct clothing you can ensure that you get the treatment needed to get you on the road to recovery.
If you are suffering from any type of injury that is impacting on your life contact the team here at Physio Action. Our team of fully qualified physiotherapists will assess your injury and provide you with a tailored treatment plan designed to get you back to full fitness as soon as possible.