I’m a big fan of HawkGrips IASTM tools. If you are too, then be sure to use my promo code “OTP” to score a 10% discount on your entire order! That’s a savings of around $360 for an item like the platinum set—or $59 for the multi-tool.
Copy and paste this HawkGrips Promo Code:
OTP
Read on for my review of this awesome product, and why I asked to be an affiliate of this company.
I am a generalist OT (NOT a hand therapist!). I’ve worked in a wide variety of settings, from the ICU to a residential mental health facility. And while I’ve never specialized in hands, the reality is that occupational therapists get a lot of hand-related questions—not just from patients, but also friends and family.
So, when I saw that our hand therapy lead here at OT Potential mentioned her use of HawkGrips on both our tennis elbow and carpal tunnel clinical decision support pages, I was intrigued.
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has solid evidence behind it (see references below). While hand therapists can pursue advanced certifications in the nuances of IASTM, the reality is that it is a safe and cost-effective intervention for someone like me to try on low-level, early stage injuries.
So, after doing my research, I reached out to HawkGrips to see if I could become an affiliate.
I also purchased my own multi-tool, and here’s what I like about it:
- Most importantly: You can actually see the increased blood flow happening. This is the key selling point for me. Our nerves and tendons need good blood flow around them to stimulate healing, and when it is actually VISIBLE, it’s super satisfying for me and the patient.
- HawkGrips provides plenty of support videos for generalists like me!
- This tool is built to last. Like, someday my kids will inherit it.
All of that is to say, I can definitely appreciate why:
- These are the go-to tools for hand therapists (and a major nice-to-have for generalist OTs like myself), and
- It’s worthwhile for athletes or people with regular soft tissue injuries to purchase their own!
If you decide to grab some of these tools for yourself, use our promo code “OTP” today!
Reminder: OT Potential is an affiliate of HawkGrips, and we use our cut of each sale to create more educational resources for occupational therapy professionals.
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments!
References
I mentioned the solid evidence behind IASTM, and I wanted to share this reference list from the HawkGrips course “Level I: IASTM Fundamentals“ to give you a sense of the evidence base.
1. Aggarwal A, Saxena K, Palekar TJ, Rathi M. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization in adhesive capsulitis: A randomized clinical trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. Apr 2021;26:435-442. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.12.039
2. Alonso-Calvete A, Lorenzo-Martínez M, Pérez-Ferreirós A, et al. Why Percussive Massage Therapy Does Not Improve Recovery after a Water Rescue? A Preliminary Study with Lifeguards. Healthcare (Basel). 2022;10(4):693. Published 2022 Apr 7.
doi:10.3390/healthcare10040693
3. Aksan Sadikoglu B, Analay Akbaba Y, Taskiran H. Effects of ischemic compression and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization techniques in trigger point therapy in patients with rotator cuff pathology: Randomized controlled study. Somatosens Mot Res. Mar 2022;39(1):70-80. doi:10.1080/08990220.2021.2005015
4. Amshel CE, Caruso DM. Vietnamese “coining”: a burn case report and literature review. The Journal of burn care & rehabilitation. 2000;21(2):112-114.Odhav A, Patel D, Stanford CW, et al. Report of a case of Gua Sha and an awareness of folk remedies. Int J Dermatol. 2013;52(7):892-893.
5. Angelopoulos P, Mylonas K, Tsepis E, et al. The effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, tissue flossing, and kinesiology taping on shoulder functional capacities in amateur athletes. J Sport Rehabil. Apr 9 2021;30(7):1028-1037. doi:10.1123/jsr.2020-0200
6. Aspegren D, Hyde T, Miller M. Conservative treatment of a female collegiate volleyball player with costochondritis. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2007;30:321-5.
7. Buntinx-Krieg T, Greenwald J. Softball petechiae: A novel cutaneous finding in a patient participating in post-exercise massage. Cureus. Sep 12 2016;8(9):e777. doi:10.7759/cureus.777 8. Aprile A, Pomara C, Turillazzi E. Gua Sha a traditional Chinese healing technique that could mimick physical abuse: a potential issue with forensic implications. A case study. Forensic Sci Int. 2015;249:e19-20.
9. Bachman LJ, Fong G, Andersson G, et al. Substance P is a mechanoresponsive, autocrine regulator of human tenocyte proliferation. PLoSOne. 2011;6(11)e27209.
10. Bayliss AJ, Klene FJ, Gundeck EL, Loghmani MT. Treatment of a patient with post-natal chronic calf pain utilizing instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization: a case study. J Manual Manipulative Ther. 2011;19(3):127-34.
11. Benjamin M. The fascia of the limbs and back – a review. J Anat. 2009;214:1-18.
12. Bertozzi, L., Valdes, K., Vanti, C., Negrini, S., Pillastrini, P., & Villafane, J. H. (2015). Investigation of the effect of conservative interventions in thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis. Disability and rehabilitation, 37(22), 2025-2043.
13. Brunnekreef J, Thijssen D, et al. Bilateral changes in forearm oxygen consumption at rest and after exercise in patients with unilateral repetitive strain injury: A case-control study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2012;42(4):371-8. Brunnekreef J, Oosterhof J, et al. Forearm blood flow and oxygen consumption in patients with bilateral repetitive strain injury measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2006;26(3):178-84.
14. Burke J, Buchberger D, Carey-Loghmani M, et al. A pilot study comparing two manual therapy interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome. J Manipulative and Physiol Ther. 2007 Jan;30(1):50-61. 15. Buntinx-Krieg T, Greenwald J. Softball Petechiae: A Novel Cutaneous Finding in a Patient Participating in Post-Exercise Massage. Cureus. 2016;8(9):e777.
16. Bush HM, Stanek JM, Wooldridge JD, Stephens SL, Barrack JS. Comparison of the graston technique® with instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for increasing dorsiflexion range of motion. J Sport Rehabil. Nov 25 2020;30(4):587-594. doi:10.1123/jsr.2019-0397
17. Change CW, Change K, Chen Y, et al. Electrophysiologic evidence of spinal access neuropathy in patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2011 June;(92):935-40.
18. Cheatham SW, Baker R, Kreiswirth E. Instrument assisted soft-tissue mobilization: A commentary on clinical practice guidelines for rehabilitation professionals. Int J Sports Phys Ther. Jul 2019;14(4):670-682.
19. Cheatham SW, Baker RT, Larkins LW, Baker JG, Casanova MP. Clinical practice patterns among health care professionals for instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. J Athl Train. Oct 1 2021;56(10):1100-1111. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-047-20
20. Cheatham SW, Baker RT, Behm DG, Stull K, Kolber MJ. Mechanical Percussion Devices: A Survey of Practice Patterns Among Healthcare Professionals. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021;16(3):766-777. Published 2021 Jun 2. doi:10.26603/001c.23530
21. Cheatham SW, Kolber MJ, Mokha M, Hanney WJ. Concurrent validity of pain scales in individuals with myofascial pain and fibromyalgia. J Bodyw Mov Ther. Apr 2018;22(2):355-360. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.04.009
22. Cheatham SW, Kreiswirth E, Baker R. Does a light pressure instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization technique modulate tactile discrimination and perceived pain in healthy individuals with doms? J Can Chiropr Assoc. Apr 2019;63(1):18-25.
23. Cheatham SW, Lee M, Cain M, Baker R. The efficacy of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization: A systematic review. J Can Chiropr Assoc. Sep 2016;60(3):200-211.
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28. Davidson CJ, Gannion LR, Ghlsen GM, et al. Rat tendon morphologic and functional changes resulting from soft tissue mobilization. Med SciSports Exerc. 1997;29(3):313-19.
29. Doeringer JR, Ramirez R, Colas M. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization increased hamstring mobility. J Sport Rehabil. Feb 1 2023;32(2):165-169. doi:10.1123/jsr.2022-0015
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31. Duffy S, Martonick N, Reeves A, et al. Clinician reliability of one-handed instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization forces during a simulated treatment. J Sport Rehabil. May 1 2022;31(4):505-510. doi:10.1123/jsr.2021-0216
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33. Erickson, M., Lawrence, M., Stegink Jansen, C., Coker, D., Amadio, P., & Cleary, C. (2019). Carpal tunnel syndrome: A summary of clinical practice guideline recommendations-using the evidence to guide physical therapist practice. J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther, 49, 359-360.
34. Loghmani, M. T., & Bane, S. (2016). Instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation: evidence for its emerging efficacy. J Nov Physiother S, 3(2).
34. Fong G, Backman LJ, Danielson P, et al. Substance P enhances collagen remodeling and MMP-3 expression by human tenocytes. J Orthop Res. 2013;(1):91-8.
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36. García-Sillero M, Jurado-Castro JM, Benítez-Porres J, Vargas-Molina S. Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment on Movement Velocity during Resistance Training. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(15):7726. Published 2021 Jul 21. doi:10.3390/ijerph18157726
37. Gehlsen GM, Ganion LR, Helfst R. Fibroblast responses to variations in soft tissue mobilization pressure. Med Sci Sports Exerc.1999;28(5):375-80.
38. Gutierrez Espinoza, H., Araya-Quintanilla, F., Olguín-Huerta, C., Valenzuela-Fuenzalida, J., Jorquera-Aguilera, R., Gutiérrez-Monclus, R., & Retamal-Pérez, P. (2021). Effectiveness of manual therapy in patients with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta- analysi. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 1-10.
39. Hammer WI, Pfefer MT. Treatment of subacute lumbar compartment syndrome using the Graston Technique. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2005;28:199-204.
40. Hammer WI. The effect of mechanical load on degenerated soft tissue. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2008;12(3);246-56.
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44. Kahn KM, Scott A. Mechanotherapy: how therapists’ prescription of exercise promotes tissue repair. Br J Sports Med. 2009;43:247-51.
45. Kim YK, Cho SY, Lee KH. Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization combined treatment on chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2021;34(5):895-902. doi:10.3233/bmr-200369
46. Koumantakis GA, Roussou E, Angoules GA, et al. The immediate effect of iastm vs. Vibration vs. Light hand massage on knee angle repositioning accuracy and hamstrings flexibility: A pilot study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. Jul 2020;24(3):96-104. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.02.007
47. Kouzaki M, Shinohara M et al. Local blood circulation among knee extensor synergists in relation to alternate muscle activity. J ApplPhysiolo 2003;95:49-56.
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52. Lehr ME, Fink ML, Ulrich E, Butler RJ. Comparison of manual therapy techniques on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and dynamic single leg balance in collegiate athletes. J Bodyw Mov Ther. Jan 2022;29:206-214. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.11.004
53. Lewit K, Olsanska S. Clinical importance of active scars: abnormal scars as a cause of myofascial pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 Jul-Aug;27(6):399-402.
54. Li L, Ge H, et al. Nociceptive and non-nociceptive hypersensitivity at latent myofascial trigger points. Clin J Pain. 2009 Feb;25(2):132-7.
55. Loghmani MT, Warden SJ. Instrument-assisted cross-fiber massage accelerates knee ligament healing. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009;39(7):506-14.
56. Looney B, Srokose T, Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Cleland J. Graston instrument soft tissue mobilization and home stretching for the management of plantar heel pain: a case series. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011;34:138-142.
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