There are a lot of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) tools for physical therapists to choose from. This makes sense because as this modality becomes more popular, the market is going to be flooded with products to meet the needs of physical therapists. So how does a PT decide which tool to choose, when there are so many on the market? The reasons a therapist chooses a tool varies from clinician to clinician, but to me the choice was obvious. Fortunately, I was able to experiment with a variety of tools while I was in PT school, and when it came time to order a set for my own clinic, Hawk Grips was an obvious choice for me.
Patient and clinician comfort
Every manual therapist knows that protecting their own body is essential to having a long career. So Hawk Grips created a tool designed to maximize patient comfort and promote quality clinician body mechanics. Hawk Grips tools differ from other tools on the market because they are made from a strong stainless steel and have a hash grip. The tools are weighted properly to make gripping and transitioning to different strokes quite easy and effective.
Affordability
I found that the Hawk Grips tools are relatively affordable, compared to other top of the line IASTM tools. Hawk Grips offers a wide range of tools, including 4 different packages, depending on what type of uses you anticipate using the tool for most. Packages range anywhere from introductory all the way up to platinum. I started with the introductory set, because the tools provided in this package would allow a single provider clinic like mine to accomplish everything I needed, based on patient demographics and clinic volume. As I grow my practice, I can either add more tools on an individual basis, or upgrade to a more comprehensive package.
Courses
Even though I had some experience using IASTM tools and performing the various strokes between PT school and my clinical rotations, I knew I could improve my skills. Hawk Grips provides an incredible value by offering continuing education courses throughout the country to hone my skills. Courses range from Intro to Core Principles, to Advanced Techniques. CEUs for physical therapists also range from 3-14 CEUs, depending on your location and the course(s) you choose. As an added bonus, and to show how the company itself is committed to continuing education, Hawk Grips even sent out a complimentary introductory DVD when I purchased my tools, to help me refresh my memory on the best practices for using their tools. Courses fill quickly though, so don’t hesitate if you are planning to sign up for a course near your town.
If you are looking for an affordable, high quality IASTM tool to enhance your manual therapy practice Hawk Grips make a lot of sense. This line may not be the most well-known by clinicians throughout the country, but it is quickly leapfrogging its peers.
