2019 Gift Guide for the Physical Therapist in Your Life

Guest post by: Ashlie Kipperman, PT, DPT, ACCI, C-LSVT, C-CPI

Please note that aside from our own Therapy Fix product, none of these are affiliate links. We just posted them because we thought PTs might like them.

1. A subscription to Therapy Fix

$25/month. $270/year

Therapy Fix is a monthly subscription box packed with resources for practicing clinicians. It includes handouts for patients/families/staff, intervention materials, and resources to help PTs save time and change lives.

2. Amusing necktie

$32

This one of a kind necktie captures the amusing nature of the physical therapist by referencing the “physical therapist voice” over and over again. The therapist with a strong sense of humor will love this gift to help lighten the mood in the clinic.

 

3. Personalized cartoon artwork

Artist is accepting waitlist requests

This customized print (offered in various sizes from keychain to 8/10) depicts the therapist's name and credentials in a cartoon clinic. What therapist wouldn’t want a personalized piece of art to reflect their passion for their job? It’s comical and cute and would look great on their desk or on their clinic’s wall.

4. Anatomical Art

$11+

These unique artistic prints depict the anatomical form in a beautiful rainbow fashion. Although they are not in anatomical position they highlight the therapist in your life will love the beautiful depiction of the musculo-skeletal system. They will be a beautiful addition to their home or office.

5. Anatomical pens

$11.99

PTs use pens all the time, but they can be pretty boring. These pens will serve as a conversation starter and an added bonus, because they are created to look like various large bones in the body, they are easily identified so co-workers are far less likely to steal.

6. Colored pens

$14.99

These pens are great for the organized and color-loving therapist in your life. They write well, and despite being gel, they do not smudge. They’re great for adding a little pop of color to daily notes. The pack comes with 14 beautiful colors.

7. Coloring books

$6.96 +

Being a physical therapist can be stressful. This anatomy coloring book is a great resource for studying or reviewing anatomy and for destressing. Therapists will love this book, because they won’t need to stare at it to cram for a test, but will enjoy the cathartic state of coloring. 

8. Vintage anatomy pages

$79

This unique pieces of artwork are anatomical illustrations over vintage anatomy text. Any therapist can display these pieces with pride. Any book loving therapist will love the details depicted in the anatomical image over the preserved text. This site offers various options including single joint options or as a set featuring the shoulder, hip/pelvis, knee joint along with a separate print illustrating the DPT credentials.

9. Amusing mug

$2.99

This comical cup is for the humorous and simplistic therapist. It features a plain white mug with “Before physical therapy, I was a pain in the butt” –piriformis. Any therapist would laugh, because I mean…pain in the butt… piriformis.

10. Personalized tumbler mug

$26.99

On a more serious coffee cup discussion, this 20oz tumbler mug, available on Amazon, features a physical therapist logo, available in nine colors, and comes personalized up to 20 characters. The mug is laser engraved and helps keep drinks warm or cold for hours. It is easy to hold and limits spills, making it great for in the clinic.

11. Peace, love, and physical therapy tote bag

$11.15

This simple, yet functional canvas tote bag is great for the physical therapist. It can hold all of their daily tools like goniometers, clipboards, measuring tape, papers, or even lunch. This bag is also great for the green therapist, who wants to reduce plastic bag use.

12. Kleen kanteen 32 oz insulated water bottle

$36.95

This 32 oz insulated thermos is a top pick among the water bottle connoisseurs. It ranks high in all categories from durability to usability. It features a clippable cap, small spout (but not too small to add ice) and four popular colors. It boasts a capacity to keep hot drinks hot for 24 hours and iced drinks cold for 90 hours. The physical therapist will also love that this tumbler is more durable than its competitors due to its Klean Coat TM powder coat finish making it chip-resistant and its double-wall vacuum insulation makes it less likely to dent.

 

13. The gift of a massage

Physical therapists will love the gift of a massage because they are often so busy helping others they forget about themselves. This kind gesture will remind them to stop and take care of themselves as well. When they are relaxed and free of pain, they will be even better therapists.

14. Essential oils and diffuser

Kit: $144
Diffuser: $18.99

This doTERRA family essentials kit of essential oils contains 10 oils and blends. doTERRA is a brand of oils that has rave reviews on quality and effect. This is an excellent gift for the PT in your life. Essential oils will provide the therapist the tools to improve their own quality of life. This kit is great for anyone looking to experiment in oils, but doesn’t know where to start.

This diffuser is great because it does not require water, has adjustable mist settings, and an automatic shut off which is great for the therapist's office. Some therapy offices have already begun incorporating essential oils into their clinic.

15. Personalized gait belt

$9.99 + cost of embroidery

This basic black 60-inch gait belt is perfect for the rehab therapist. PTs in rehab settings use gait belts all the time, but they are also known to frequently get lost. A personalized gait belt is the perfect gift because it is functional and solves the problem of the belt getting lost. Simply order the belt below and take it to any embroidery shop around you. You can style the therapist's name with tons of fonts and colors to add a pop of color and personalization.

16. Fun PT tshirts

This iconic wheelchair heart symbol is featured on this t-shirt and represents the trademarked international symbol of acceptance. Physical therapists love this shirt because it promotes positivity and acceptance to different abilities. The motto of 3E LOVE is Embrace. Educate. Empower. Love Life.

Classic “Friends” logo is always a popular choice. The PT in your life will love this shirt if they are a fan of the show.

This evolution of PT t-shirt comes in 10 colors and depicts the variation in physical mobility from wheelchair to running. PTs love this shirt because it depicts the progression and rehabilitation process and can even be worn in the office.

17. Fun socks

Fun socks are growing in popularity among men these days but these first two fun sock options are all about PT. Fun and vibrant socks are also great for the pediatric PT, to add a little color and joy into the clinic. Here are a few options.

18. Nike Zoom Air Pulse- Shoes for healthcare workers

Nike recently released that they partnered with OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital located in Portland, Oregon to design and develop a shoe specifically for health care workers. This shoe is easy to get on and off, easy to clean, and has excellent traction and cushioning to support the health care working during their shift. This shoe is especially perfect for the acute care physical therapist however is fashionable to function in all areas of physical therapy. To add to the awesomeness six patients helped design these shoes and all profits will be donated back to the hospital.

19. Athleisure wear

Women in PT sometimes struggle with what to wear we need our clothing to be flexible, comfortable, and professional. All the female therapists I know are asking for athleisure wear for the holidays. They describe wanting tanks, sweaters, and leggings. This example is a perfect blend of comfort and professionalism. Athleta (a Gap brand) is known for perfecting this genre of dress.

20. Joke of the day calendar

$11.50

This laugh out loud (LOL) funny calendar is the perfect gift for any physical therapist. PTs love to laugh and jokes are a great way to break the ice with patients.

21. Naked bee skin care set

This gift set includes lip balm, soap, hand salve, hand & body cream in a sweet orange blossom honey scent. The Naked Bee name is known for natural products that will help the PT stay moisturized. PTs often find their hands dry and cracked from all the sanitizer and washing they do; this product will help rejuvenate their healing hands.

22. Various books

 Best Ever Physical Therapist Joke Book

Just like the calendar mentioned earlier, this book is great for the PT who likes to joke around or needs some help in the humor category. The jokes may be corny but they often help the day go by with a smile; plus patients love them.

My Stroke of Insight

This book is written by a neuroscientist who suffered a stroke. It describes her journey not only through the stroke but also through her rehabilitation. The therapist will love this gift because it is an easy read and will help them remember to take a step back and think about the patient’s experience. It is also a great gift for patients and families.

After a Stroke: 500 Tips for Living Well

This book is considered an essential resource for stroke survivors and their families. However, it is also a great gift for the physical therapist. It offers a survivors perspective and strategies not even a physical therapist may be aware of.

Run, Don't Walk: The Curious and Courageous Life Inside Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Written by Adele Levine a PT at Walter Reed Medical Center, this book is described as M*A*S*H meets Scrubs in a sharply observant, darkly funny, and totally unique debut memoir. Therapists will love this book as it is entertaining and inspiring and provides a look into an unfamiliar area, to many, of PT.

How Far Can You Go? My 25-Year Quest to Walk Again

This inspirational memoir by John Maclean who became an elite wheelchair athlete following a spinal cord injury who then walked 25 years after his injury. This story is motivational and inspiring and is a great read for those in the field of rehabilitation.

23. Ergonomic keyboard

$41.99

Physical therapists do a lot of documentation. This wireless and ergonomic keyboard is a great option to gift the therapist in your life. It has a long battery life and can be packed up and transported easily to allow for documentation anywhere the therapist needs.

24. Cute custom post-it notes

$8.90

These cute floral post-it notes are perfect for any PT in your life. And no, they do not have to be floral, that is just one of the many designs that zazzle.com offers. Therapists use post-it notes and stationary all the time and would love to have a set personalized just for them.

25. Practical clipboard

Physical therapists rely on clipboards commonly for note taking, evaluations, and keeping organized in the clinic. This clipboard with anatomy reference is a super helpful for any therapist to recall information like range of motion values, SCI function scales, dermatomes, cranial nerves and so much more. It makes life easier in the clinic and no matter how smart we are, we use the info whenever it’s available.

If anatomy references are not your therapists style consider a clipboard folio like this one from Vera Bradley. It’s cute, HIPAA compliant and easy to use and comes in many different designs and colors.

26. Anatomical heart locket necklace

$28+

This anatomical heart shaped locket is great for any physical therapist who is an anatomy geek. It is beautiful, sentimental, and anatomically correct. It comes in gold, silver, and rose gold and offers different chain styles.  

27. Move Your Body! Fun Deck cards

$20.05

Super duper publications’ “Move your body” cards are perfect for a physical therapist that works with kids in any capacity. They are fun and functional and will increase the therapists tool box.

 

28. Weighted blanket

Weighted blankets have been in a therapist’s toolbox for a long time, however, we rarely use them ourselves. This weighted blanket is the perfect thing to snuggle up to on the couch after a long day of work. Therapists love the sensory effect of the weight and everyone loves the soft cover. This option is great because it has a removable and washable cover.