19 Embarrassing PT Stories

Welcome to the Real Physical Therapist of the World. Enjoy these true funny stories and quotes from real physios! 

1. When you want to ask a patient if they are able to adjust the height of their desk at work, but it comes out, "Have you experimented with different positions?"

2. A doctor asked me, "How did he do?" and I didn't quite hear it that way so I said, "Howdy-doo to you, too!" 

3. I asked a patient to squeeze their glutes together and she used her own hands to squeeze them.

4. "Grab the little black guy" - referring to a kettlebell.

5. "Don't let me pull out."

6. "I want to try this position with you. Please lay on your back."

7. Classmate said, "I'm going to measure your nips," to a patient during first clinical.

8. Classmate said, "Okay, so today I'm going to show you how to move in bed."

9. At school I said, "Can I put my hand in your pants?" in front of everyone.

10. Palpating a glute clam I asked, "Is it okay if I stick a finger in your bum to check if we're getting the correct activity?" She replied, "Cheek, yes. Hole, no."

11. "Don't hump your back," said to a boys hockey team.

12. Went to complete a lower quarter screen and my pants ripped. Cool air down there right away.

13. "Don't worry your ankle sprain isn't too bad, we won't chop it off," - said to an amputee.

14. Patient: "I forgot my rubber" (referring to Theraband). Me: No problem, I have plenty."

15. Patient was doing  sit to stand and I said, "Squeeze your butt," and she yelled, "NO, YOU SQUEEZE MY BUTT."

16. "Is it stiff first thing in the morning?"

17. I asked a patient to repeat the instructions... the patient was deaf.

18. "This isn't the position I typically do it in."

19. While palpating the femoral artery on a male classmate (I'm female), I yelled, "OH. I TOUCHED SOMETHING!!!"

Thank you to everyone for sharing these hilarious stories! Tag and share this with your PT friends.