Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

A guide for primary care providers

In office physical therapy or musculoskeletal exam suggestions

• Be attentive to the survivor’s sense of safety throughout the treatment. ³⁷
• Pay attention to and respond accordingly to the patient’s body language. Some survivors may
  have a difficult time expressing their discomfort verbally, but that their body language may
  be clear about their desires. ³⁷
• Tell the patient, “If you’re not comfortable with me, there are other options… or if you’re
  uncomfortable with anything that I do, please raise that issue” ³⁷
• It is important to be able to respond if the patient has experienced a trigger. ³⁷
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