Feel-Good Gifts that Support Winter Wellness
As holiday shopping picks up across the South Shore, many of us are looking for gifts that feel both meaningful and useful. Local physical therapists from Elliott Physical Therapy say that wellness tools can be a thoughtful way to support loved ones heading into the new year, especially when the options are simple and practical enough to slip into a stocking.
Pelvic floor specialist Samantha Ostrowsky, PT, DPT keeps her go-to list compact and effective. For her, a few versatile items rise above the rest.
“I recommend a lacrosse ball for self massage, resistance band for upper body/core exercises, and a mini foam roller,” she said. The mix allows for quick strength-building, mobility work and muscle release at home or on the go.
Small tools like these can fit into daily routines without requiring major time or space. A lacrosse ball tucked inside a work bag can help ease tight shoulders after a long commute, while a theraband can turn a few minutes in the evening into a quick strengthening session.
When it comes to prioritizing his own self-care, Hanover physical therapist Kevin Paulin, PT, DPT echoed Ostrowsky’s recommendations and added one more item that keeps him moving consistently.
“You can’t go wrong with a good pair of running shoes,” he said.
These items support a wide range of routines, from gentle mobility exercises to outdoor runs. The combination also highlights how accessible wellness tools can be, even for people easing into new movement habits.
Here are a few other items that will be perfect wrapped or in a stocking:
Lightweight yoga mats for stretching, core work or quiet morning routines
Water bottles with time markers to encourage regular hydration
Balance pods or small stability trainers for simple at-home stability practice
Massage sticks that can be used before or after a walk or workout
Health-focused gifts feel especially appropriate in a season that often brings added stress and reduced downtime. These simple tools can be powerful reminders to slow down, stay active and care for the body in manageable ways.
Whether it's a lacrosse ball tucked into a stocking or a foam roller under the tree, these wellness-minded gifts offer all of us a way to start the new year feeling more grounded and supported in our movement. And if all else fails, the movement experts at Elliott Physical Therapy have your back (literally). Prioritize yourself and give them a call; you won't regret it!
About Elliott Physical Therapy
Family-owned and operated by Darryl and Patti Elliott since 2014, Elliott Physical Therapy is an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy company with nine locations in Massachusetts, including Hanover and Hingham. Focused on discovering and treating the underlying causes of injury and pain, expert clinicians at Elliott Physical Therapy use proven hands-on therapy and personalized home exercise programs to relieve your pain and improve your function. Learn more about Elliott Physical Therapy here. Appointments can be scheduled online here.