What to Wear to Physical Therapy
Getting ready to head to your physical therapy appointment? If so, there may be a ton of questions running through your mind like:
- What exercises am I going to do?
- Will it hurt?
- What should I wear to physical therapy?
It can be tough to know what to wear to physical therapy, especially if you’re not sure what the environment will be like. But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered.
What Should I Wear to Physical Therapy?
When you're heading to physical therapy treatment, it's important to dress comfortably and appropriately, keeping these six tips in mind.
- Wear clothing that gives you full range of motion
- Dress in clothes that allow access to your pain points
- Avoid clothes that could chafe or dig into you (no zippers)
- Bring a change of clothes for whatever you’re doing next
- Dress for the weather
- Bring plenty of water
1. Dress comfortably in clothes that allow for full range of motion.
If you are scheduled for physical therapy, it is important to dress comfortably in clothes that allow you to move around easily. You want to wear clothes that are not too tight fitting so that the therapist can see your range of motion and also so you are comfortable.
You also don't want to wear clothing that is too loose because it can get caught on equipment or come undone during your session. It is best to wear loose fitting clothing that is comfortable and allows you to move freely.
2. Wear clothing that allows access to your pain points.
When you go to physical therapy, you will be asked to perform a variety of exercises. In order to perform these exercises, you will need to be able to move freely. Therefore, you may want to consider layering with articles of clothing such as a sweatshirt or hoodie with a T-shirt underneath or sweatpants, joggers, or leggings with shorts underneath.
Your physical therapist will need to see your range of motion in order to determine the best exercises for you. And sometimes, clothing, such as pant legs may need to be rolled up in order for a therapist to manually access your pain point.
If your clothing is too tight or restrictive, it will limit your movement and make it difficult for your physical therapist to assess your condition. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing will allow you to get the most out of your physical therapy sessions.
3. Avoid wearing clothing with zippers or buttons.
While zippers and buttons may be on a lot of clothing you already own, you will want to avoid wearing them during your physical therapy appointment. Buttons and zippers can dig into your skin during your appointment and make you uncomfortable and unable to perform the exercises you will be asked to perform.
If you are sitting or laying down during your appointment, those buttons and zippers will continually dig in, resulting in your muscles tensing up. This makes it more difficult for your physical therapist to work your muscles and lessen your pain. Elastic in your clothing will be your best friend while attending physical therapy.
4. Consider bringing a change of clothes if you plan on going somewhere other than home after your therapy session.
Most physical therapy treatments involve some type of physical activity. As a result, it is not uncommon for patients to work up a sweat during their appointments. If you are planning on going somewhere other than home after your physical therapy session, it is important to bring a change of clothes. You don’t want to head back to work or to the grocery store with intense armpit stains or sticky clothing!
Depending on the intensity of your physical therapy treatment, you may want to bring a towel as well. Wiping down sweat can help you to feel more comfortable and prevent body odor.
5. Dress for the weather—bundle up in the winter, and dress cooly in the summer.
For any physical activity, keeping your body warm is incredibly important. This way, you won’t be stiff during your appointment. As temperatures drop, make sure you bundle up with a warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and whatever else you might need to stay toasty! Think in layers, and consider investing in a quality insulated coat if you don't already have one.
In hotter months, you don’t want to overheat. So dress cooly and comfortably so as to not retain too much heat.
6. Bring a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated and energized.
Bring a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated and energized
While this isn’t something you wear, a water bottle is essential during your physical therapy visit. A physical therapy session is not equivalent to working out an hour in the gym, but you will be performing difficult moves and working up a bit of a sweat.
Having a water bottle with you will ensure you stay hydrated, replenish any liquids you lose, and stay energized and motivated to keep performing exercises.
Our team at Hershey Orthopedic and Spine Rehabilitation is non-judgemental and here to help you feel your absolute best once more. Let us help guide you through the process — we always want you to feel as comfortable as possible!
Sign up for
your first appointment today to get started on the road to recovery. In the meantime, start thinking about what you’ll wear to your physical therapy sessions. Wear clothes that will make you feel comfortable and allow you to move around easily. We can’t wait to help you reach your goals and get back to doing the things you love!
