The items below are ones we recommend very frequently to our clients (and everyone else!).
Setting up your living, work or workout space with the right tools helps extend the benefits of physical therapy, massage and other wellness practices beyond the confines of an appointment slot and into your every day life.
Some links may be affiliate links.
Vegans, vegetarians, and those who generally don't eat much meat: you should monitor and most likely supplement with protein when recovering from an injury.
The good news? There are many excellent and (relatively) tasty options out there now. Wellilo staff mix this powder with ice and water in a blender and are content.
Standing just 1-3 more hours per day (does not have to be all day!) improves bone health, cardiovascular capacity, mental focus, and can decrease hip, low back and neck discomfort.
When shopping for a sit to stand desk, we recommend looking for:
- Electric desk that goes up / down with the push of a button
- Capacity for pre-set heights, so you can easily transition between sitting + standing
When massage guns first became trendy, two brands defined the market, and each cost hundreds of dollars.
Now there are hundreds of manufacturers of very reasonably priced massage guns. Although not a substitute for physical therapy or actual massage, these devices are a powerful way to practice self care when your body is in a pinch (or simply as a recovery tool).
Here's the one we recommend:
Until the last few generations, most humans did not have toilets.
To poop, our ancestors simply squatted low.
The deep squat position helps empty the bowels completely, relax the pelvic floor, the diaphragm and the muscles of the hip and low back.
One of the simplest, healthiest daily lifestyle shifts we recommend is pooping in a squat position (Feet elevated).
Close Your Mouth is a book about breathing through your nose.
Sound boring?
You may reconsider when you see the links between nose breathing and allergy reduction, positive changes to facial and sinus structure, and improved ability to exercise and to clear bacteria and viruses more effectively.
This is an excellent book from the author of bestseller, "Born to Run", with warm up and corrective exercises, nutrition tips, and general insider info on how the endurance runners do what they do.
Urban dwellers, hikers, walkers: you need a bag that fits you.
Osprey makes a huge variety of backpacks, many of which come in at least 4 sizes. REI sells Osprey bags and has salespeople who will help you find the best fit for you.
But if you can't make it to an REI, the link below leads to our favorite every day / day pack model.