Further information

Conversely, jeans, skirts, or stiff clothing can be restrictive during assessment and treatment.

Undressing is rarely necessary unless specific observations are required, such as assessing spinal posture, rib cage alignment, or spinal movement.

Your osteopath may also need to observe skin changes, redness, lesions, mole abnormalities, limb swelling, muscle wasting, asymmetries, or muscle twitching—potential indicators of underlying health conditions.

Like a dentist or optician, your osteopath serves as an objective observer, identifying early signs of health changes that may require further specialist investigation. This is particularly important during your initial consultation to rule out any underlying causes of your pain, even if it appears to be ‘just a pulled muscle.’

If you need to dress down for an assessment, your osteopath will step out to ensure your privacy. In most cases, you can re-dress as soon as key observations are completed.

Patients should wear suitable attire, such as sports shorts, leggings, or running/cycling tights, along with an appropriate top. Gowns and sports shorts are available on request and may be recommended when necessary.