The Best Products for Physical Therapy at Home
Professional grade tools for therapy on your own
As a Physical Therapist, I know how important it is that your home exercise routines are as simple and easy as possible. These are my absolute favorite products for home use, to help you achieve peak results or just to make your life a little easier while you recover.
This page contains affiliate links, and I may receive a small portion of each sale.
Content on this site is not medical advice.
Please consult with your physical therapist or physician if you have any concerns about using these products.
Your home physical therapy just got so much easier
Gaiam Restore Multi-Grip Stretch Strap
Anyone who has had knee surgery, from ACL reconstruction to total knee replacement, is familiar with the “heel slide” exercise. It helps gain knee flexion, or the bend, after surgery.
Physical Therapists often tell patients to use a towel or dog leash to help perform this at home. Well, this strap is going to make your exercise a lot easier…and if it's easier and more comfortable, you are more likely to do it!
The strap has a great place to set your foot so you aren't worried about it slipping off, and the loops are so comfortable on your hands. With this strap, you can relax your leg and just use your arms to do the work. You’ll also love this as a stretching strap for hamstrings and quads, or even to nail that king pigeon yoga pose.
I bet you'll find that you use this more often than you think! See some examples in this short video.
Resistance is a good thing
Set of 5 Resistance Bands by TechStone
You may have been given a band from your physical therapist to use at home, but you have to tie it in a knot and its always too loose or too tight, or no strong enough, plus let’s be honest: you put it in a drawer and then forgot where you put it.
Never again, with this set of 5 resistance bands - with a handy carrying case. Whether you’re strengthening your hips or recovering from knee surgery, these bands are the perfect tool for your home PT.
The full variety of resistances from extra light to extra heavy ensure you can continue to challenge yourself as you get stronger. And the full set means you’re never limited to just one!
Perfect for shoulder rehab
londys Resistance Bands
For the times you actually need a long single band and not a loop, you can’t beat these bands from londy.
These also come in extra light to extra heavy, rated 5-25 lbs, perfect for getting your rotator cuff from surgery to swinging a racquet in no time.
londy single bands are non-latex so perfect for those with allergies or sensitivities, and they don't have that powder on them like some other bands. Super easy to use and versatile for upper and lower body strengthening.
Luxurious fabric that still packs a punch
Fabric Resistance Bands
If you are frustrated by elastic bands that can roll up or pinch, these are for you.
The wider fabric is more comfortable on your skin and they won't roll up when you are doing your sidesteps or squats. They come in light, regular and heavy resistance.
Tip: If you are a sweater and worried the fabric might eventually smell, simply air dry these bands outside of your gym bag after a session, and occasionally hand wash with mild soap.
Simple yet effective
RangeMaster BlueRanger Shoulder Pulley
Rotator cuff surgery? Frozen Shoulder? Then you're familiar with the shoulder pulley.
This model from RangeMaster is easy to use and the pulley pivots so it moves as you stretch from different angles. Plus the little foam pad on the hanger won't scratch up your door when you set it up.
No more leaky plastic bags
Reusable Gel Ice Pack
This is a game changer: Reusable Gel Ice Pack by Chattanooga ColPac.
Yeah, you can make a slushy ice pack with water and rubbing alcohol. But you're always going to be worried the bag will leak (and it always will), plus it's never going to be big enough to cover the area you need. This one is a great weight, plus it's pliable and large enough to cover your lower back, wrap around your knee or simply lay across your shoulder.
And trust me, if you have children, you'll going to need this more than you know! See more in this quick video.
An extra set of hands
Crutch Accessories Bag
Anyone who has been on crutches or non-weight bearing knows how awful it is not to be able to carry anything. Stuffing wallet and keys in your pockets, your phone in your bra, tucking a water bottle in your waistband. It is maddening!
Enter the crutch accessories bag from Vive.
I worked for 20 years before I knew about this product and now I tell everyone about it. This is so easy to set up onto your crutches. It fits your TopoChico, your phone, your keys and pens. It gives you so much freedom to walk around the house. No more slinging a backpack or a purse around your shoulders.
Trust me, if you're going to be on crutches for any length of time, you'll be glad you have this.
A staple for home physical therapy
High-Density Round Foam Roller
Don't bother with the short one or the cheaper one. This foam roller from Amazon Basics will do everything you need.
The cheaper ones are softer and will warp quickly. If you get a shorter one, you're only going to buy a larger one also.
It's obviously great for foam rolling those leg aches and pains but also to lie on and stretch out at the end of the day.
Treat yourself and your body
SierraComfort Basic Portable Massage Table
This is a great luxury for being able to do your exercises at home.
You don't really need that much space, maybe 7 ft by 4 ft. It's firm enough that you don't sink in and it saves you from having to get down onto the floor. Plus It can fold up and be stored out of the way.
It does weigh a little over 31lbs, but I find that I can carry it easily. If you are going to be doing therapy for a while this is a really nice addition to your home equipment.