Orthopaedic Cupping Therapy (6 hrs)
Orthopedic Cupping for Manual Therapists
6 Hours CE/CPD | Online Course with Dr. Joi Edwards, DPT
Orthopedic cupping offers manual therapists a practical way to support soft tissue mobility, tissue comfort, recovery, and treatment planning for common musculoskeletal presentations.
Orthopedic Cupping for Manual Therapists introduces the principles, safety considerations, techniques, assessment strategies, and condition-specific applications of cupping therapy within an orthopedic and rehabilitation-focused context.
Presented by Dr. Joi Edwards, DPT, this course is designed for therapists of all experience levels, whether you are new to cupping or looking to refine and expand your existing skills.
Course Overview
Across this 6-hour CE/CPD course, participants will explore the history and evolution of cupping, safety considerations, physiological theories, treatment planning, cupping care, assessment principles, technique application, and specific injury protocols.
The course combines 3.5 hours of studio-filmed video tutorials with in-depth course texts and practical demonstrations to help practitioners understand not only how to apply cups, but also why, when, and how cupping may be used appropriately within manual therapy and rehabilitation practice.
Participants will learn to distinguish between cupping marks and bruises, understand contraindications and precautions, apply and remove cups correctly, compare static and dynamic cupping approaches, and recognize how tissue response may inform treatment decisions.
Supported by a fully illustrated course workbook, lesson quizzes, a 32-question online exam, NAT certification, lifetime access, subtitles in English, French, German, and Spanish, and an XTRM 6-piece professional-grade cupping set, this course provides a structured and practical learning experience for therapists using orthopedic cupping in professional practice.
What You Will Learn
| Topic | Focus |
|---|---|
| Cupping Foundations | Understanding the history, evolution, theories, and physiology of cupping therapy |
| Safety & Contraindications | Identifying precautions, contraindications, appropriate client care, and safe treatment decisions |
| Application & Removal | Demonstrating correct application and removal of cups, including methods to increase suction safely |
| Static & Dynamic Cupping | Understanding the differences between static and dynamic cupping and when each may be appropriate |
| Assessment & Tissue Response | Recognizing discoloration, differentiating marks from bruising, and considering effects on pathological tissue |
| Injury-Specific Application | Applying cupping protocols for common orthopedic and soft tissue conditions |
Course Content
The course combines cupping history, safety education, physiology, assessment skills, practical technique instruction, treatment care principles, and condition-specific orthopedic applications.
| Module | Focus |
|---|---|
| History & Evolution of Cupping | The development of cupping therapy and its relevance to modern manual therapy practice |
| Safety, Theory & Physiology | How cupping works, current theories, physiological effects, safety considerations, and precautions |
| Cupping Care & Assessment Lab | Client preparation, treatment care, assessment principles, and clinical decision-making |
| Cupping Techniques & Application | Practical application, removal, suction control, static cupping, dynamic cupping, and technique refinement |
| Lower Limb Injury Protocols | Applications for plantar fasciitis, ankle sprain, patella tendonitis, knee surgery, and knee ligament strain |
| Hip, Thigh & Tendon Applications | Applications for ITB syndrome, hip bursitis, peroneal tendonitis, piriformis syndrome, and hamstring strain |
Who This Course Is For
This course is suitable for massage therapists, manual therapists, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, athletic trainers, chiropractors, occupational therapists, rehabilitation professionals, sports therapists, bodyworkers, and other qualified practitioners working within their professional scope of practice.
It is especially valuable for therapists who want to add orthopedic cupping to their clinical toolkit, refine existing cupping skills, or apply cupping more confidently to common musculoskeletal and soft tissue conditions.
About Dr. Joi Edwards
Dr. Joi Edwards, DPT, is an experienced physical therapist and educator with expertise in orthopedic rehabilitation, manual therapy, and practical therapeutic applications for musculoskeletal care.
In this course, Dr. Edwards guides students through the safe and effective use of orthopedic cupping, combining clear instruction with practical demonstrations and condition-specific treatment protocols.
Her teaching is designed to help manual therapists understand the clinical reasoning behind cupping therapy and apply techniques with greater confidence, safety, and professional awareness.
Included With This Course
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Studio-Filmed Video Classes | 3.5 hours of video tutorials presented by Dr. Joi Edwards, DPT |
| Fully Illustrated Course Workbook | Supporting workbook covering cupping principles, safety, assessment, techniques, and specific injury applications |
| Lesson Quizzes | Knowledge checks designed to reinforce learning throughout the course |
| Online Exam | 32-question multiple choice exam included for course completion |
| NAT Certification | 6 Hours CE/CPD following successful completion |
| Professional Cupping Set | XTRM 6-piece professional-grade cupping set included with the course |
| Lifetime Access | Study at your own pace and revisit the material whenever required |
| Subtitles | English, French, German, and Spanish subtitles included |
CE Finder
This course has been approved for continuing education by numerous professional boards and associations worldwide. Scroll sideways to find your board or association.
Approvals Listed: 65
CE Broker Provider: #20-938357
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Approval requirements can change. Please confirm acceptance with your own board, association, employer, or regulatory authority before registration.
Orthopedic Cupping for Manual Therapists
Professional Reviews & Feedback
The reviews below represent feedback provided by students and practitioners through Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Judge.me.
“Dr. Joi Edwards explains orthopedic cupping in a way that feels practical, clinical, and easy to bring into treatment sessions.”
“The injury-specific applications were exactly what I needed. The plantar fasciitis and knee sections were especially useful.”
“I liked how the course moved beyond general cupping and focused on assessment, reasoning, and specific orthopedic conditions.”
“The safety guidance was clear and realistic. I came away with a much better sense of when and how to use cups appropriately.”
“The demonstrations were very helpful. Seeing the cup placement, movement, and pacing made the techniques much easier to understand.”
“A strong course for therapists who want to use cupping with more clinical purpose rather than as a generic add-on.”
“Dr. Edwards gives clear explanations and practical examples. The course helped me refine how I use cupping with athletes.”
“The assessment lab was one of the most useful parts for me. It helped connect cupping choices to what the client actually presents with.”
“The course gave me fresh ideas for working with hip bursitis, ITB irritation, and lower limb overuse patterns.”
“I appreciated the orthopedic focus. The content felt much more specific than other cupping courses I have taken.”
“The explanations around suction, tissue response, and client comfort were very well handled.”
“This course helped me think more carefully about how cupping can support recovery after ankle sprains and knee injuries.”
“The treatment examples were practical and easy to adapt. I especially valued the lower extremity protocols.”
“Dr. Edwards presents with confidence and clarity. The course has a very useful balance of theory and hands-on application.”
“I found the sections on tendinopathy and post-surgical knee considerations very helpful for clinical decision-making.”
“The course helped me use cupping with more intention, especially when working around pain, restriction, and soft tissue sensitivity.”
“Clear instruction, useful protocols, and a sensible approach to contraindications. This was a very worthwhile training.”
“I liked the way the course connected cupping technique to common conditions like hamstring strain and piriformis-related pain.”
“The clinical examples helped me understand how to adjust suction, duration, and movement for different clients.”
“A practical, well-organised course that made orthopedic cupping feel much more precise and clinically useful.”
