Is this normal for a physical therapist to do?

[nottatroll]

My daughter (16 years old) fell in basketball and hurt her back. On recommendation from our doctor she went to a phyiscal therapist.

She told me that he kept reaching up under her shirt to feel parts of her back and side all the way up to her you know undergarment. She had a rather tight shirt on so wouldnt he have been able to check her back over her shirt?

I'm concerned. Please help.

 

[Traveliz]

I would say that is typical but when my "other" daughter calls (family friend, like a daughter) who is one I will ask her. That is her back and that is what she hurt - had it been her foot she hurt I might be more concerned.

Liz

 

[katerkat]

I'm not sure how normal it is, but my son does his PT in just his diaper. It's easier for his PT to feel the muscles moving without the clothing in the way, I guess.

 

[ReadingBelle]

This doesn't sound out of line to me. Physical therapy is very hands-on, and sometimes it is easier for the therapist to evaluate what is going on if they can touch the skin directly. Did he do anything else that made your daughter feel uncomfortable?

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I am a physical therapist. I would have had her change into a gown, drape, or towel pinned around her. I always try to keep my patient modest but when palpating muscles feeling for tightness it is better with skin to skin contact. Also, many of the modalities and treatments would have to be directly on the skin. If you are concerned you could request to be in the room. When I worked in private practice, if my male boss had a female patient who needed to disrobe, he always had a female in there too.

 

[the kabuki]

why not go with her to the next appt. and see if he does it while you're there?

 

[iggbees]

uhh... usually when i go to the dr's office they check my breathing or problems under my shirt, because sometimes you can't tell things over top of a shirt. i remember being at the physical therapist when i had a knot of scar tissue in my ankle worked with, that there were people in there who had back problems and they closed the curtains to give them privacy when they were being treated. i don't see any means for concern unless he really groped her. it just sounds like he was doing his job. if you are concerned either you or have a nurse go into the room with her next time.

 

[froglady]

Many therapists will ask female patients wear a sports bra or tight TANK/CAMI, along with running-type, or lycra, shorts, or a bathing suit, if they're treating the back/shoulder/hip/buttock areas.

 

[PrincessCLM]

Another physical therapist here and yes that is not uncommon. If you are concerned, you can go into the treatment session with your DD or ask that a female therapist or receptionist (if available) go in. I'm sure the therapist would rather you be upfront with the way you feel and if your DD continues to be very uncomfortable you can request that she be switched to a female therapist. Most therapist do not take offense to that. I've had it go both ways. Male patients of mine that have asked to be switched to another male therapist and female patients that were switched to me from a male therapist.
Your DD's comfort is the main priority.

 

[kat3668]

I also hurt my back and had to go to physical therapy 3 times a week for 15 weeks.... sounds pretty routine to me ... He needs to check the affected muscles... if you are worried accompany her to the next visit...sometimes young girls and woman are a bit squemish.. I know I am!

 

[Twigs]

I am a physical therapist assistant and when I worked in a local hospital, all of our outpatient back patients were put into a private booth and asked to put on a gown to be treated. A few years back I myself had an upper back problem and went to a local physical therapists office, and they did not have private booths. So there, whatever therapist worked on me (male or female) did just as you described, reaching up under the shirt,whether is was ultrasound, massage or just to feel what was going on with my muscle spasms. I knew what they were doing, and why they were doing it so I didn't think twice about it. But being as you weren't there, and it is your daughter, I would go and see how she is being treated. It might also have been part of the initial evaluation, and they wouldn't do quite the same thing again until it is time for a re-eval.

 

[Kitty 34]

I've been to therapy several times for my lower back and he usually always touches my back under my shirt. Heck I get uncomfortable because I'm thinking he's thinking I have lots of flab!!!

 

[Traveliz]

I am a physical therapist. I would have had her change into a gown, drape, or towel pinned around her. I always try to keep my patient modest but when palpating muscles feeling for tightness it is better with skin to skin contact. Also, many of the modalities and treatments would have to be directly on the skin. If you are concerned you could request to be in the room. When I worked in private practice, if my male boss had a female patient who needed to disrobe, he always had a female in there too.

This is exactly what my friend said. She did say there didn't have to be another person in there but the mom would of course be welcome.

Liz