PT Holiday Gift Guide

Have someone on your list that’s hard to shop for? An athlete, weekend warrior, or fitness junky? Or maybe just a family member struggling with chronic injuries or pain? You just never know what to get them? How about something that helps them stay healthy and happy? Physical therapists are constantly getting requests to recommend items for maintaining health, fitness, and pain relief at home. So we compiled a list of the most recommended self-care gadgets that are perfect for gifting!

Hot/Cold Therapy

While we feel every house should have general hot and cold therapy available for use, there are specialty application gadgets that are great for everything from post-workout soreness to arthritic hands. Check out the variety below, and see who we recommend it for:

• Cryoball – Cryoball-type devices are perfect for targeted cold therapy in smaller areas. Think golfers elbow, ankle sprains, shoulder tendonitis…. https://a.co/d/btbTckT
• Microwave hand mitts – If you know someone with arthritic hands, this is the relief they’ll need to get through cold months or reduce pain after a hard day’s work in the yard. Just microwave for the instructed time and slide your hands in the mitts to start feeling better. https://a.co/d/aPlSi03
• Heating pads (shawl and low back wrap types) –  These are a no-brainer for someone looking for gentle heating for a large area. The shawl-type heating pads are designed to provide targeted heating to the neck shoulders and upper back to relieve stress and tension. The low back wraps provide heating to the entire low back area and of course, can be moved up or down depending on the area involved. https://a.co/d/eUheqoL https://a.co/d/eiJeSHD
• Colpac reusable gel cold packs – These are hands down a clinic staple and the best cold pack for your dollar. They come in 5 different sizes and stay cold for much longer than a traditional gel pack. Not to mention they are durable enough that we use them all day in the clinic.  https://a.co/d/bjtfG8Z

Self Massage Tools

Everyone loves a good massage. Whether to boost post-workout recovery, reduce chronic aches and pains or help with stress relief and relaxation, these tools can do the job.

• Massage guns – probably the most popular tool on the list, massage guns offer portable muscle therapy with variable settings. Wide availability online at multiple price points makes this a great gift option for those who enjoy the ability to massage their muscles at home. https://a.co/d/ctpsLCF

• Trigger point Cane – This is the gadget to have if you enjoy trigger point style muscle pain and tension relief. The shape of the tool allows it to be easily used on nearly any part of the body to provide targeted relief of muscle tension in a short amount of time. https://a.co/d/5e1g0Kp 

• MELT hand & foot therapy ball set – Designed by the creator of the MELT Method, this kit contains 8 balls and one bunion bar to help you get relief all over the body. The MELT Method is widely used by clinicians, personal trainers and others to get relief from muscle pain and soreness. You can find instructional videos on this technique on YouTube and the MELT website.  https://a.co/d/eQ4sUMi 

Stretching and Posture Relief

Modern lifestyles can cause a variety of aches and pain from our heads to our toes. Finding easy ways to stretch your joints and muscles can help you reduce pain and improve your posture.

• Stretch-out strap – This strap and the accompanying booklet are a one-stop shop in terms of usefulness for stretching out the entire body.  The loops on the strap make it easy to stabilize and pull to stretch muscles you didn’t even know were tight! Lightweight and extremely portable this is a great item to throw in a gym bag and take with you. https://a.co/d/2bIWpIT 
• Chirp Wheel (all sizes) – These wheels come in a variety of sizes depending on whether you want to target the back or neck and are perfect for providing decompression and stretching to the spine to counteract the effects of sitting and driving. If you know someone who works at a desk all day or drives a lot, this is the gift they didn’t know they needed. https://a.co/d/23fLCdW 
• Lumbar roll – This is a therapeutic stand-by. Using a lumbar roll at your desk or in your car supports healthy posture, reducing pain. PTs prescribe items such as this on the regular to keep patient’s backs and necks pain-free when sitting.  https://a.co/d/0NEM81C 
• Calf Stretching Board – Having flexible calf muscles makes a world of difference in your ability to walk and stand comfortably. Flexible calves reduce knee pain and can increase endurance with walking and running. Using one of these giftable devices can make stretching more effective for better long-term flexibility gains. https://a.co/d/anVAOjL