In mid-February, the HawkGrips team headed to the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim — one of the largest annual gatherings for physical therapy professionals. This year, more than 15,000 attendees came together for several days of learning and connection.
The energy was incredible from the start — packed with curious students, passionate clinicians, and educators shaping the future of the profession. Coming from the Northeast, it didn’t hurt trading our winter layers for palm trees and some California sunshine while connecting with the PT community in person.
Connecting with the Physical Therapy Community
One of the best parts of CSM each year is connecting with the people who make this profession so special.
At our booth, we had the chance to meet a wide mix of the rehab community — from physical therapy students discovering IASTM for the first time to seasoned clinicians refining their manual therapy approach. We also connected with professors and educators who are shaping the next generation of providers, which is always inspiring for us.
One of our favorite moments each year is finally meeting clinicians we’ve only known through video calls. We also loved seeing past course participants stop by to share how they’re using HawkGrips in practice– and even running into students who we met at previous CSMs coming back to say hello.
And nothing beats when someone swings by the booth just to say, “LOVE you guys and your tools!” We appreciate those quick moments of support so much.
Conversations from the Booth
Throughout the weekend, we had meaningful conversations around tools, techniques, and real-world clinical integration. Some of the most common topics included:
- IASTM tools and technique questions
- Differences between tool designs and treatment approaches
- Silicone cupping and hybrid manual therapy strategies (our squeeze-on, suction-based cups are very easy to use)
- Clean-ingredient topical products and why both clinicians and patients care about what goes on the skin
- Blood flow restriction (BFR) safety and applications, especially the convenience and portability of manual cuffs
- Continuing education pathways, from our University Program to virtual and in-person courses, and free CEU webinars
We were also lucky to have one of our instructors, Dr. Scott Cheatham, spend time at the booth. He ran live demos, answered questions, and shared techniques clinicians could immediately apply in practice.
One question we heard again and again throughout the conference:
“What makes your IASTM tools different from other brands?”
Our short answer: thoughtful design and long-term value. Our tools are surgical-grade stainless steel, made in the USA, and backed by a lifetime warranty. Clinicians can choose from a wide range of shapes and sets, or buy tools individually, depending on their needs. Features like our patented cross-hatch grip help prevent slipping (unlike many smooth tools), and there are no annual fees or required certifications. We also support clinicians with extensive education options, but ownership is never tied to coursework.
It was clear from this conference that clinicians are looking for practical, evidence-informed tools they can apply immediately in practice.
Celebrating Our Giveaway Winner
We also hosted a booth giveaway during the conference, and it was fun to see so many students and clinicians join in.
A big congratulations to Breanna from Nevada, this year’s winner! 🎉
This year’s giveaway included a full HGPro Bundle Set featuring:
- HGPro Multi-Tool
- Silicone Cupping Set with an on-demand CEU course
- Emollient Jar + Single-Use Emollient Packets
- Therapeutic Massage Lotion and Professional Massage Cream
- HawkHydro Water-Based Emollient
We love doing giveaways because supporting students and early-career clinicians is something that really matters to us.
Education at the Center of What We Do
Beyond products, CSM is always a reminder that education sits at the core of the HawkGrips mission.
Throughout the conference, we connected with clinicians at all stages of their careers who were eager to keep learning. Many stopped by to ask about our virtual continuing education courses, in-person training experiences, and growing university partnership program.
We also had several clinicians stop by who had recently taken our courses and shared how they’re already applying what they learned in practice.
It’s incredibly encouraging to see the continued demand for hands-on, evidence-informed learning across the rehab community.
Why Events Like CSM Matter
For our team, CSM is an opportunity to listen to the needs of clinicians in real time, learn how practice is evolving across settings, and strengthen relationships across the rehab community. These moments help shape how we think about education, innovation, and how we continue showing up for the people who use our tools every day.
At the end of the day, it’s all about relationships. We truly value staying connected, supporting our partners, and building win-win connections across the profession.
We’re so grateful to everyone who stopped by the booth, shared their experiences, and spent time with our team!
Looking Ahead
We’re looking forward to continuing the conversations that started in Anaheim — through courses, partnerships, and future events.
If you didn’t get a chance to connect with us at CSM, we hope to see you soon at an upcoming course or conference. In the meantime, you can explore our education offerings, follow along on social (Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn), or stay connected with everything we have coming next.