Best Clinical Tools for Travel PTs: Goniometers, Reflex Hammers & More

Travel PTs need to own their own clinical assessment tools — facilities provide treatment equipment but not personal instruments. This guide covers the essential clinical tools every travel PT should have in their bag, with top-rated Amazon options and honest comparisons. The core kit: a quality goniometer, a reflex hammer (preferably a Taylor or Tomahawk), a stethoscope, a portable BP cuff, and a tape measure.

Beyond the basics, consider: a pulse oximeter (essential for acute care and home health), a penlight for basic cranial nerve screening, and a grip dynamometer for hand therapy settings. Keep your kit compact — you'll be carrying it through airports and into small clinic spaces.