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1. PAUL’S ‘80S ADVENTURES IN THE MIDWEST 2. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ARTHRITIS 3. IS YOUR INJURY SWOLLEN OR STIFF? EASY MARCH MADNESS CHILI 4. YOUR GUIDE TO PROPER CLOTHING FOR PT INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Wait ... You Can’t Wear That! The Do’s and Don’ts of Dressing for PT
A physical therapy appointment isn’t exactly a night at the prom, but the two do have something in common: the moment you find yourself in front of the mirror wondering, “What the heck should I wear?” If you’re nervous ahead of your first physical therapy appointment, let these do’s and don’ts guide your outfit choice. DO wear comfortable, flexible clothes. A pencil skirt may look great in the office, but it’s not the best outfit for physical therapy. You'll need to get physical at your appointment. If you don't have a good range of motion in your outfit — in other words, if you can’t toss a ball or do a lunge — it’s probably not PT-friendly. DON’T wear flip-flops or dress shoes. Closed-toed, high-traction sneakers and socks are better choices. There are
tripping hazards like mats and exercise balls in the clinic, and your PT would hate to see you get hurt when you’re there to get help! DO dress according to your injury. PTs generally ask that you wear a full outfit of loose-fitting clothing for treatment, but you need to pay particular attention to the area of your injury. A tight-fitting sweater will make it hard for your PT to access your rotator cuff, and if you have a knee injury, then tight leggings are a bad choice. Instead, look for pants you can roll up over your knee. DON’T come straight from the gym. Since activewear and close-toed shoes are recommended for PT, you might be tempted to book your appointment right after your gym visit or hospital shift. Don’t do it! Your clothes need to be clean, not sweaty or germ-covered.
DO layer up. Physical therapy often involves heating pads and cold compresses, which can make you sweat or shiver. To keep yourself comfortable, wear layers you can peel off or add on according to your treatment. DON’T lather on lotion. Some PTs recommend against using lotion before your appointment because “it can reduce the traction that the therapist needs for your treatment.” When in doubt, go without.
With these tips in your back pocket, you can start or return to PT with confidence.
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