It’s really common for those visiting a physio, sports therapist or sports massage practitioner to be a bit apprehensive about what you should wear to your first appointment.

In order to do a thorough assessment ideally your physio will need to be able to clearly see the area where you are getting your pain and place their hands on it to identify any changes in the tissues around that area such as swelling, heat, stiffness and trigger points in the muscles, as well as to do some hands-on treatment.

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So what you need to wear will depend on where your pain is, here are few common examples:

• If you have a neck, upper back or shoulder problem you will usually be asked to remove your top so we can clearly see your posture, however for ladies it’s absolutely fine to wear a strappy top or vest if you feel more comfortable like this.
• Lower back problems can be linked to biomechanical issues with the lower limbs and your physio may need to check how your nerves in your legs are functioning so it’s a good idea to bring shorts, especially if you have pain radiating down the leg. You will usually be asked to remove or roll up your top so we can see your lower back too.
• For hip, knee and ankle problems again a pair of shorts is a good idea or alternatively a loose skirt is fine for ladies. Tights, shoes and socks will need to be removed.
• For elbow, wrist and hand problems a short sleeved top is usually fine.
• If your issue is linked with a sport like running it’s also a great idea to bring along your running trainers, your physio may well get you on our treadmill to help them identify factors that could be contributing to your pain.

Here at go physio we understand it can be a little daunting to get undressed in our clinic rooms so we aim to be totally professional and will preserve your modesty with towels when needed. You may prefer to arrive a few minutes early for your appointment and get changed into shorts or strappy tops beforehand. We always ensure we have your consent too.

If you have any cultural or religious reasons for not wanting to remove an item of clothing that’s fine, just let us know and we will do our best to work around it.

If you would prefer to be seen by a male or a female physiotherapist let our reception team know when you are booking your first appointment and we will accommodate this.