Hands-On IASTM Education Is Becoming Essential in Rehab Programs
Across physical therapy, athletic training, and occupational therapy education, there’s growing demand for more clinical learning before students enter rotations and practice. Programs are actively working to bridge classroom learning with real-world application, especially for skills like Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM).
Enter the HawkGrips Integrated University Program.
Over the past several years, HawkGrips has partnered with universities nationwide to integrate evidence-informed IASTM education into PT/PTA, ATC, and OT/OTA curricula. In recent semesters, this expansion has accelerated, with dozens of new programs added since Fall 2025.
The goal is simple: help students graduate with stronger clinical reasoning, confidence, and experience using professional-grade IASTM tools found in real clinical settings.
From labs to hybrid workshops to full curriculum integration, students are learning by doing… not just observing.
From Classroom to Clinic
Clinical education must translate classroom concepts into confident application. Reading about tissue assessment and movement dysfunction is important, but hands-on experience is what helps those skills stick.
Through the HawkGrips University Program, students gain direct experience applying evidence-informed IASTM techniques in lab settings. Students actively practice scanning, treatment flow, movement integration, and clinical reasoning with guidance from instructors and faculty.
This practical learning approach helps students:
- Develop confidence before clinical rotations
- Improve understanding of tissue feedback and assessment
- Learn how to integrate movement with manual therapy techniques
- Build familiarity with real-world treatment workflows
Students also train with the same HawkGrips instruments used in clinics, sports medicine facilities, and athletic training rooms nationwide.
The focus is not just learning a technique — it’s understanding how and when to apply it effectively in patient care.
How the HawkGrips University Program Works
The HawkGrips Integrated University Program is designed to provide structured clinical exposure that integrates easily into existing curricula.
The program includes 11 total instructional hours, consisting of:
- Pre-course learning
- Live instruction and lab participation
- A post-course certification exam
Upon completion, students graduate as HawkGrips Certified practitioners.
Courses emphasize guided practice, collaboration, and real-time feedback rather than passive observation. Students spend time actively practicing assessment, treatment flow, movement integration, and clinical reasoning alongside instructors and classmates.
Delivery is flexible—offered in-person, virtual, or hybrid—depending on scheduling, lab structure, and curriculum needs.
Flexible Tool Options for Every Program
Because every program is different, HawkGrips offers multiple tool implementation options:
Borrow Tools
Programs can borrow HawkGrips instruments for temporary educational use at no additional cost.
Purchase Tools
Universities can purchase HawkGrips sets at discounted educational pricing for ongoing classroom and lab integration.
Hybrid Model
Some programs combine owned and borrowed sets, allowing greater flexibility while expanding student access during labs and workshops.
This flexibility allows educators to customize implementation based on class size, budget, curriculum goals, and scheduling needs, while still giving students valuable hands-on experience with professional-grade IASTM instruments.
Universities Across the Country
In recent semesters, HawkGrips University Programs have continued expanding across universities nationwide, bringing evidence-informed IASTM education directly into clinical training programs.
Across athletic training, physical therapy, and occupational therapy programs, universities are continuing to prioritize practical clinical skill development and hands-on learning experiences for students preparing to enter the healthcare field.
Since Fall 2025, HawkGrips has partnered with programs across the country, including:
-
Messiah University
- Oklahoma City University
- Xavier University
- University of Alabama
- Oklahoma State University
- Kansas State University
- North Dakota State University
- Dakota Wesleyan University
- Northern Michigan University
- Pacific University
- Augustana University
- Abilene Christian University
- University of West Florida
- University of Mary
- University of La Verne
- Northern Kentucky University
- Grand View University
- University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
- University of Montana
- University of South Florida
- Clarke University
- University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Culver-Stockton College
Each program has a unique structure, but the goal is consistent: building confidence and practical IASTM skills before clinical practice.
What Students Gain Beyond Certification
While earning a HawkGrips certification is a valuable credential, the impact of the University Program extends far beyond completing a course.
Students gain early exposure to clinical workflows, hands-on treatment application, and real-world decision-making before entering full-time clinical practice. Through guided labs and supervised practice, they develop confidence using IASTM as part of a broader rehabilitation approach rather than viewing it as a standalone technique.
Students develop stronger understanding of:
- Tissue assessment and tactile feedback
- Movement integration and treatment flow
- Clinical reasoning during manual therapy application
- Appropriate use of IASTM within rehab and performance settings
Students also gain experience using the same professional-grade HawkGrips instruments found in rehab clinics, sports medicine facilities, and athletic training rooms nationwide. For many, this carries directly into clinical rotations and early practice.
Spotlight: University of South Florida
One standout example is the University of South Florida, where students participating in the HawkGrips University Program receive their own HGPro instrument as part of the experience.
By graduating HawkGrips Certified with their own professional-grade instrument, students can continue practicing and building confidence beyond the classroom and into clinical rotations.
We encourage university partners to consider this model, incorporating new HGPro instruments directly into their student training experience to further enhance hands-on learning and skill development.
For students who wish to build their own toolkit, HawkGrips also offers exclusive student pricing — including 50% off HGPro instruments — making it more accessible to own the tools used throughout their training.
Building the Next Generation of Rehab Professionals
Rehab education continues shifting toward more practical, clinically focused learning experiences — and students increasingly want opportunities to build confidence and gain certifications before entering practice.
The HawkGrips Integrated University Program helps universities work evidence-informed IASTM education directly into existing curricula while giving students meaningful hands-on experience with clinical tools and techniques.
The result is more than a certification course. Students graduate with stronger clinical exposure, greater assurance applying manual therapy techniques, and a better understanding of how IASTM fits into modern rehabilitation and performance care.
As partnerships continue expanding, HawkGrips remains committed to supporting educators and students through flexible formats, practical education, and industry-leading tools.
Interested in bringing HawkGrips to your program? Learn more about the HawkGrips Integrated University Program or submit an interest form to connect with our team for upcoming semesters.