PT Handbook: Top 5 Travel PT Essentials for Staying Pain-Free on the Go

Welcome! The PT Handbook is a physical therapy newsletter discussing all things physical therapy/sports medicine. This newsletter is an extension of our philosophy at Art of PT Sports Physical Therapy LLC where our patient population includes exercise lovers and active individuals. We are a PT private practice that prides itself on providing true one on one service. Not like the big corporate physical therapy companies.

This handbook will provide practical PT tips and dive into hot topics surrounding the sports rehab world. If you have questions about the field of physical therapy or need to schedule an appointment (virtual/in person), contact us with the link below!

Dr. Gerry Robles PT, DPT

Founder, Art of PT Sports Physical Therapy LLC- Athlete-level care for every active body

Dr. Gerry Robles PT, DPT

https://www.artofpt.com/contact-us

PT Handbook Conversation: The Ultimate Travel Physical Therapy Kit

Traveling can disrupt your normal physical therapy routine and lead to stiffness, muscle aches, and discomfort. To avoid travel related pain and maintain mobility, packing a travel physical therapy kit with essential tools is crucial. Whether you’re going on a business trip, vacation, or weekend getaway, these PT approved items help you stay active, prevent injury, and recover faster while traveling.

Top 5 must-have travel exercise tools for pain relief and mobility:

• Mini resistance bands for travel workouts: Lightweight and compact, perfect for strength and mobility exercises anywhere. Bust them out in the airport, I even recommend push ups or air squats in the airport to offset the long sitting on a plan

• Lacrosse or massage ball for self-myofascial or muscle release: Helps relieve muscle knots and tightness in your back, hips, and shoulders during travel. Again, this isn’t magic but it does help relax the tighter areas. Focus on your breath, find a tight spot and roll or put some pressure on it. Don’t do it aggressively, harder isn’t better there’s no science saying it is. Just do it to your comfort and breathe and relax as you do this.

• Travel-size foam roller for muscle recovery: Loosen tight muscles after long flights or car rides to reduce soreness. Essentially the same concepts as the lacrosse or massage ball 🙃 

• Movement reminder tools: Use a small mirror or phone timer app to check posture and remind yourself to move regularly. Moving every once in a while is crucial to decrease tightness and pain. Motion is lotion and you need circulation of blood in all areas. Circulation and lubrication decreases pain and stiffness.

• Hydration bottle: Staying hydrated supports muscle function and speeds up recovery during travel. Get a big bottle, who cares, be obnoxious with it 😆 

Even just a few minutes of targeted exercises with your travel PT kit can reduce travel pain, improve mobility, and keep your body feeling its best on the road. In the airport, bust these out. Also, while on a long plane ride, use the lacrosse ball and make sure to move or get up every 30 mins to an hour. Trust me, you’ll feel better.

If you need more specifics on how to use these, ask!

👉Make sense? If not, reply to this email to ask a question, or book a virtual/in person FREE INJURY CONSULTATION. YEA THATS RIGHT, FREE. I'd love to hear from you!

Also, check out my latest podcast with combat sports coach Ramy Daoud. We get deep on plenty of personal stuff. Watch it if you enjoy these talks.

Enjoying The PT Handbook? We’d love to hear what you think! Hit reply and let us know 😄 Did this newsletter help, inspire, or surprise you? I read every message and appreciate your feedback. Yes I really read everything lol.

See you soon,

Dr. Gerry Robles PT, DPT

Founder, Art of PT Sports Physical Therapy LLC

www.artofpt.com