What to Wear to Physical Therapy: Complete Clothing Guide for Your Sessions
One common question patients ask before their first physical therapy appointment is: “What should I wear?” While it might seem like a simple consideration, the right outfit can significantly impact your physical therapy session’s effectiveness and comfort level. Proper clothing choices enable your licensed physical therapist to conduct thorough evaluations, provide hands-on treatments, and ensure you can perform various exercises safely.
Your clothing selection directly affects your therapist’s ability to access the treatment area, observe your movement patterns, and deliver optimal care. Whether you’re dealing with a foot or ankle injury, lower spine issues, or upper body concerns, wearing appropriate attire enhances both the quality of your treatment and your overall experience during each pt session.
Essential PT Clothing Guidelines
When preparing for your physical therapy appointment, prioritize loose fitting clothing made from breathable materials. Cotton, polyester blends, and moisture-wicking fabrics provide the flexibility and comfort needed for physical therapy sessions while allowing proper airflow during exercises.
Key guidelines for physical therapy attire:
Choose garments that allow full range of motion without restriction
Ensure easy access to your injured area for evaluation and treatment
Opt for elastic waistband bottoms over rigid waistbands
Select stretchy materials that move with your body
Avoid restrictive clothing like tight jeans or formal wear
Your physical therapist needs direct access to the affected area to perform manual techniques, apply therapeutic modalities, and observe your movement patterns. Loose fitting shirt options and flexible pants enable proper assessment and treatment while maintaining your comfort throughout the session.
Clothing for Upper Body Physical Therapy
Upper body injuries and conditions require specific clothing considerations to ensure your therapist can properly evaluate and treat your neck, shoulders, arms, or spine. The key is providing access while maintaining modesty and comfort.
Recommended upper body attire:
Tank tops or sleeveless shirts for shoulder, arm, and upper back access
Sports bra for women receiving shoulder or thoracic spine treatment
V-neck or scoop neck shirts for neck and cervical spine evaluations
Short-sleeve tops for elbow, wrist, and hand injury treatments
Loose t shirt options that can be easily lifted for back assessments
For those with long hair, bring a hair tie to secure your hair away from the treatment area. This prevents interference during manual therapy and ensures your therapist can properly access your neck and shoulder regions.
If you’re receiving treatment for lower spine conditions, consider wearing a two-piece outfit rather than a dress, as this allows your therapist to examine your back while keeping your lower body covered.
Lower Body Physical Therapy Attire
Lower body injury treatment requires clothing that provides your therapist with visual and physical access to your hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Comfort and modesty remain important considerations when selecting appropriate attire.
Optimal lower body clothing choices:
Athletic shorts with 5-7 inch inseam for knee and leg injuries
Loose pants or joggers with elastic waistband for hip conditions
Yoga pants or leggings that can be easily rolled up (avoid compression styles)
Sweatpants that allow movement without restriction
Bike shorts under loose shorts for additional modesty during hip exercises
Avoid wearing jeans, khakis, dress pants, or any bottoms with rigid waistbands, as these significantly limit your range of motion and make it difficult for your therapist to observe proper movement mechanics. For ankle injury treatment, choose pants that can be easily rolled up or removed to allow full assessment of your foot and ankle.
Proper Footwear for Physical Therapy
Footwear plays a crucial role in your safety and treatment effectiveness during physical therapy sessions. The right shoes provide stability, support, and grip while allowing your therapist to assess your gait and movement patterns.
Recommended footwear options:
Athletic shoes or sneakers with good arch support and cushioning
Cross-training shoes for versatile movement exercises
Running shoes for gait analysis and walking assessments
Clean athletic socks in white or light colors
Flat shoes with non-slip soles for balance exercises
Avoid these footwear choices:
Open toe shoes, sandals, or flip flops
High heels or dress shoes
Boots or heavy footwear
Worn-out shoes with poor tread
Going barefoot (unless specifically requested)
If you’re receiving treatment for a foot or ankle injury, bring your regular shoes so your therapist can evaluate how they affect your gait and recommend modifications if needed. Wearing sneakers provides the stability and protection necessary for safe exercise performance.
What NOT to Wear to Physical Therapy
Certain clothing items can interfere with your treatment, create safety hazards, or prevent your therapist from providing optimal care. Understanding what to avoid helps ensure productive and safe physical therapy sessions.
Items to avoid wearing:
Clothing restrictions:
Turtlenecks or high-collared shirts
Button-up dress shirts or blouses
Tight jeans or restrictive pants
Dresses or skirts
Clothing with zippers, studs, or metal hardware near the treatment area
Accessories to leave at home:
Dangling earrings or large jewelry
Necklaces or charm bracelets
Watches (remove if treating wrist/arm)
Heavy belts with metal buckles
Other considerations:
Heavy perfumes or strong fragrances
Excessive lotions or oils on skin
Clothing with rough seams or embellishments
These items can interfere with manual therapy techniques, pose safety risks during exercises, or trigger sensitivities in other patients. Your therapist may ask you to remove jewelry or accessories that could interfere with treatment.
Additional Comfort Considerations
Creating a comfortable environment for your physical therapy session involves more than just clothing selection. Consider these factors to enhance your overall experience and treatment effectiveness.
Temperature and layering strategies:
Wear layers (t-shirt under zip-up hoodie) for easy temperature adjustment
Clinics can feel chilly initially, but you’ll warm up during exercises
Bring a light jacket or sweater that’s easy to remove
Consider the season and clinic’s typical temperature
Practical preparation tips:
Arrive 10-15 minutes early if you need to change clothes at the clinic
Bring a change of clothes if coming directly from work
Pack a small bag with essentials like hair ties and socks
Communication and comfort:
Discuss any emotional comfort concerns about exposure or physical touch with your therapist
Most important thing is that you feel comfortable during treatment
Don’t feel uncomfortable asking questions about appropriate attire
Your therapist wants to ensure you feel at ease throughout your session
Remember that your comfort level affects your ability to relax and participate fully in treatment. Open communication with your therapist about any concerns helps create the best environment for healing.
Special Situations and Modalities
Different physical therapy treatments and modalities may require specific clothing considerations. Understanding these requirements helps you prepare appropriately for specialized sessions.
Electrical stimulation treatments:
Avoid metal buttons, zippers, or underwire bras near the treatment area
Wear clothing that allows electrode placement
Choose soft fabrics without rough textures
Heat and ice therapy applications:
Wear clothing that allows easy removal for modality application
Choose garments that won’t be damaged by moisture
Ensure easy access to the specific body area being treated
Manual therapy and massage:
Select soft fabrics without rough seams or embellishments
Avoid clothing with heavy decorations or hardware
Choose garments that can be easily adjusted for treatment access
Your physical therapist will inform you of any specific requirements for specialized treatments during your initial evaluation or when scheduling these sessions.
Conclusion
Choosing appropriate clothing for your physical therapy sessions is an essential component of successful treatment. By wearing loose fitting clothing, proper footwear, and avoiding restrictive items, you enable your therapist to provide the most effective care while ensuring your comfort and safety.
Remember that the most important thing is clear communication with your licensed physical therapist about your clothing concerns and comfort level. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about appropriate attire for your specific condition or upcoming treatments. When you choose clothing that supports your therapy goals, you’re taking an active step toward faster recovery and better outcomes.
Proper preparation, including thoughtful clothing selection, demonstrates your commitment to the healing process and helps maximize the benefits of each physical therapy session. Your therapist appreciates patients who come prepared, and you’ll feel more confident and comfortable throughout your treatment journey.