What to Wear to Physical Therapy
Over the years, you have picked out many outfits for school, work, weddings, or your basic everyday attire. However, you probably never considered picking out an outfit for a physical therapy appointment.
You may even wonder, “Should what I wear to physical therapy really require any forethought?” You may be surprised to know that it does!
Our highly trained physical therapists at Paspa Physical Therapy are dedicated to rendering high-quality care to our patients, and the clothing you wear can have an impact on that. If you are seeking relief after an injury or trying to regain your range of motion after an operation, our physical therapists can help!
Schedule an appointment at our Manhattan, NY office today!
What to Wear to Your Physical Therapy Appointment
While at your physical therapy appointment, your physical therapist will direct you to move, stretch, bend, and possibly even exercise, so it is important to wear comfortable clothing that is functional. Doing so will ensure your physical therapist can render treatment in the proper manner.
You will also want to take the fabric of your clothing into consideration. For example, if your clothing is too stiff, it can limit or restrict your range of motion. During these sessions, you will need to be able to move freely in order to maximize the benefits.
The following should be worn during a physical therapy session:
- Loose-fitting clothes, including t-shirts and tank tops
- Pants with a loose or elastic waistband, such as yoga pants, sweatpants, or athletic shorts
- Appropriate footwear (supportive athletic shoes, sneakers) to prevent injury
Why Does What I Wear Matter at a Physical Therapy Session?
What you wear to your physical therapy appointments matters because your choice of clothing can have a negative effect on your physical therapist’s ability to render treatment.
Your therapist will need to manually access specific areas of your body, including your pain points. Your clothing can hinder that process. If they are not able to perform a thorough evaluation and provide treatment on your first visit, your progress may be delayed.
Additionally, wearing comfortable and appropriate clothing can help you feel as relaxed as possible and help you get the most out of your sessions.
What Should I Avoid Wearing?
While attending physical therapy appointments, you will want to avoid wearing:
- Tight-fitting, restrictive clothing
- Dress or work clothes (such as suits, dresses, or skirts)
- Slip-on shoes, dress shoes, heels, boots, or any shoes with smooth, polished undersides and no grip.
- Open-toed shoes or flip-flops, unless necessary
- Excessive jewelry (such as bracelets, necklaces, and dangling earrings)
- Jeans
- Heavy fabrics, such as corduroy
- Clothing with buttons or zippers
How Your Type of Injury Affects What You Wear to Physical Therapy
The type of injury you have sustained can affect what you should wear to your physical therapy session. Below you will find a list of some common injuries and suggestions for appropriate attire to wear to your appointment.
Upper Body Injury
- If you have neck pain, you will want to wear clothing that allows your physical therapist to see and touch your neck. This includes not wearing turtlenecks and opting for non-restrictive clothing like a T-shirt or tank top.
- If you have a shoulder injury, you will have to remove your shirt so your therapist can examine your shoulders, shoulder blades, arms, and upper back. Wearing a sports bra is recommended for women. If you are uncomfortable removing your shirt, your therapist may allow you to wear a T-shirt that leaves your shoulders exposed.
- If you have an arm, wrist, or hand injury, be sure to wear a loose-fitting shirt with your arms exposed so a thorough examination can be performed. A tight-fitting long sleeve T-shirt can restrict your movement and limit your therapist’s view of the injured area.
- If you have a back injury, you should consider wearing a T-shirt, sports bra, and shorts or pants that have an elastic waistband.
Additionally, if you have an upper-body injury and have longer hair, wearing a hair tie is recommended so that your physical therapist’s range of vision is not hindered.
Lower Body Injury
- If you have hip pain, wearing shorts, especially shorts with an elastic waistband, would be preferable. This will allow your physical therapist to be able to see and move your spine and both hips with ease.
- If you have a knee condition, wearing shorts or wide-legged athletic pants that roll up easily is recommended. It will ensure that your therapist can see and palpate your knees, thighs, and lower legs. Tight clothing, when rolled up, can restrict blood flow and interfere with the positive results of your therapy sessions.
- If you have a foot or ankle injury, be sure to wear socks and sneakers to your sessions.
Why Does What I Wear Matter at a Physical Therapy Session?
What you wear to your physical therapy appointments matters because your choice of clothing can have a negative effect on your physical therapist’s ability to render treatment.
Your therapist will need to manually access specific areas of your body, including your pain points. Your clothing can hinder that process. If they are not able to perform a thorough evaluation and provide treatment on your first visit, your progress may be delayed.
Additionally, wearing comfortable and appropriate clothing can help you feel as relaxed as possible and help you get the most out of your sessions.
What Should I Avoid Wearing?
While attending physical therapy appointments, you will want to avoid wearing:
- Tight-fitting, restrictive clothing
- Dress or work clothes (such as suits, dresses, or skirts)
- Slip-on shoes, dress shoes, heels, boots, or any shoes with smooth, polished undersides and no grip.
- Open-toed shoes or flip-flops, unless necessary
- Excessive jewelry (such as bracelets, necklaces, and dangling earrings)
- Jeans
- Heavy fabrics, such as corduroy
- Clothing with buttons or zippers
Additional Factors to Consider When Preparing What to Wear to Physical Therapy
When preparing for a physical therapy appointment, you may also want to:
- Bring water to stay hydrated.
- Be conscious of how much lotion you use. Too much can make manual traction difficult for your therapist.
- Bring a change of clothes because you may sweat during your session.
- Wear clothing in layers. Many have found layering clothing to be helpful. During your session, you will have times when you are moving around. If you get hot, you can remove a layer. You will also have times when you sit and talk to your therapist, and you may start feeling cool. If you do, you can just put a layer on.
- Test your clothes before your appointment to ensure they are suitable and non-restrictive.
Physical therapy may be a new experience for you, and you will want to be as relaxed as possible. Worrying about your attire should not be your primary focus during your physical therapy session. With a little planning of your attire before your visit, your physical therapy treatment can be successful and aid you on your road to recovery!
If you have additional questions about what to wear to physical therapy or the physical therapy services we offer at Paspa Physical Therapy, schedule an appointment at our facility today! Our physical therapists in Manhattan, NY look forward to giving you the help you are looking for.