Choosing the Ideal Outfit for Your Physical Therapy Sessions
If you’re new to the world of physical therapy, you may have some inquiries regarding what to anticipate throughout your treatment. Should you be experiencing challenges with your regular mobility due to surgery, injury, or illness, engaging with a physical therapist during your recovery is beneficial. If your physician has referred you to physical therapy (PT), it’s natural to have numerous queries about what lies ahead and how to prepare. One of the most common concerns among patients is what attire is suitable for physical therapy appointments, which is crucial because the right clothing choice can facilitate your physical therapist in thoroughly assessing and addressing your injury. In a hospital setting, if a physical therapist visits you during your recovery, you can wear the hospital gown you’re already in, and they will ensure appropriate coverage during your therapy sessions.
However, when it comes to outpatient therapy, things differ. Often, exercises are performed, or various modalities like heat, cold, or electrical stimulation are applied. Let’s explore the attire you should choose for your outpatient physical therapy sessions, allowing for movement and other therapeutic interventions.
Proper Footwear
Comfort and proper support are both essential considerations for your physical therapy sessions. We strongly recommend wearing socks and athletic sneakers, such as tennis shoes, to your appointment unless you have a valid reason not to. These supportive athletic sneakers are the ideal choice to provide the necessary stability during your exercises. It’s crucial to steer clear of footwear like sandals, heels, or slip-on shoes unless they are required.
Using non-skid shoes is of utmost importance during physical therapy because you’ll likely engage in various exercises that involve standing on unfamiliar surfaces. Slip-on shoes, open-toed footwear, or shoes lacking non-skid soles can increase the risk of injury. By prioritizing appropriate footwear, you not only minimize the chances of injury but also contribute to the shared goal of facilitating your healing process. Therefore, we strongly advise you always to wear the proper footwear to every physical therapy appointment.
Clothing
When considering what to wear for your physical therapy sessions, it’s crucial to keep three key factors in mind:
- Assess the range of motion your clothing allows. Make sure you can move around easily and comfortably in your chosen attire.
- Think about whether your doctor or physical therapist can easily access or see the affected areas that require attention.
- Consider your overall comfort in the selected clothing, as you may need to perform exercises and move around without restriction.
Avoid tight-fitting and restrictive clothing, as these can hinder your mobility during therapy. Suitable attire for physical therapy typically includes loose-fitting tank tops, t-shirts, athletic shorts, workout pants or training pants with a loose or elastic waistband, proper footwear (to be discussed shortly), and appropriate undergarments like sports bras. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you’d wear the outfit to a gym, as you wouldn’t choose business casual clothes or jeans for a workout session. If you have longer hair, it’s also wise to bring something to pull it back to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your exercises and therapy.
Established by Dr. Eung Kwon Kim, Kim Chiropractic & Rehab and First Imaging Center is the most enduring chiropractic practice in the Washington metropolitan vicinity. With offices situated in Rockville, MD, Columbia, MD, and Centreville, VA, Dr. Kim’s clinics have been serving the community for over 22 years. His initial clinic in Rockville, MD, opened more than two decades ago, driven by the aspiration to ensure the well-being and pain-free lives of his local community members.
