Cupping for the Modern Practitioner (3.5 hrs)
Cupping for the Modern Practitioner
3.5 Hours CE/CPD | Online Course with Vicki Ramsdell, LMT
Cupping therapy can be a valuable addition to massage, manual therapy, rehabilitation, and integrative bodywork practice when applied with clear understanding, appropriate pressure, and careful clinical reasoning.
Cupping for the Modern Practitioner is a practical online course designed for therapists with or without previous cupping experience, introducing the primary mechanisms, therapeutic benefits, pressure considerations, contraindications, and hands-on applications of modern cupping therapy.
Presented by Vicki Ramsdell, LMT, this course combines Eastern cupping knowledge, Thai Medical Massage principles, Traditional Chinese Medicine influences, and modern cupping techniques into a structured approach for professional practice.
Course Overview
Across this 3.5-hour CE/CPD course, participants will explore the foundational principles and practical applications of cupping therapy, including how cupping works, when it may be appropriate, how pressure is managed, and how safety considerations guide treatment.
The course includes more than 2.5 hours of HD video tutorials presented by Vicki Ramsdell, demonstrating step-by-step cupping techniques for common conditions and treatment goals.
Participants will study cupping applications for asthma, frozen shoulder syndrome, sciatica and sciatic pain, ITB syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and trigger points, while also learning how to adapt treatment based on client response, comfort, and professional scope.
Supported by course notes, an illustrated cupping guide, a companion learning course, lesson quizzes, online exam, certificate of completion, and lifetime access, this course provides a structured and practical introduction to cupping for modern therapeutic practice.
What You Will Learn
| Topic | Focus |
|---|---|
| Cupping Foundations | Understanding the primary mechanisms, therapeutic benefits, and clinical role of cupping therapy |
| Pressure & Safety | Learning how to manage cupping pressure, client comfort, contraindications, and treatment response |
| Modern Cupping Techniques | Applying practical cupping methods informed by Thai, TCM, and modern cupping approaches |
| Condition-Specific Applications | Using cupping protocols for asthma, frozen shoulder syndrome, sciatica, ITB syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and trigger points |
| Client-Centred Treatment | Adapting cupping applications based on client presentation, goals, comfort, and tissue response |
Course Content
The course combines cupping theory, treatment safety, therapeutic reasoning, condition-specific applications, practical video demonstrations, course notes, and companion learning support.
| Module | Focus |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Modern Cupping | Primary mechanisms, therapeutic benefits, and the role of cupping in bodywork practice |
| Safety, Pressure & Contraindications | Cupping pressure, precautions, contraindications, treatment planning, and client comfort |
| Technique Development | Step-by-step cupping techniques and professional application strategies |
| Condition-Specific Cupping Applications | Applications for asthma, frozen shoulder syndrome, sciatica, ITB syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and trigger points |
| Professional Integration | Using cupping within massage, manual therapy, rehabilitation, and integrative bodywork settings |
Who This Course Is For
This course is suitable for rehabilitation professionals, massage therapists, manual therapists, chiropractors, nurses, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, athletic trainers, and other qualified hands-on practitioners.
It is especially valuable for professionals who want to add cupping to their practice, strengthen existing cupping skills, or apply cupping techniques more confidently for common musculoskeletal and soft tissue presentations.
About Vicki Ramsdell
Vicki Ramsdell, LMT, is an educator and practitioner with extensive experience in Thai Medical Massage and cupping therapy.
She has served as an adjunct professor of Thai Medical Massage and Cupping at the New York Institute of Massage in Buffalo and the Onondaga School of Massage in Rochester and Syracuse, and is a core teacher for the L.M.T Success Group.
Combining cupping knowledge learned in the East with training through the International Cupping Therapy Association, Vicki has developed a unique cupping system that blends Thai, TCM, and modern cupping techniques.
Included With This Course
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| HD Video Classes | 17 HD video classes presented by Vicki Ramsdell, LMT |
| Course Texts | Cupping for the Modern Practitioner course notes and illustrated cupping guide |
| Companion Course | Structured companion learning designed to reinforce and deepen course understanding |
| Lesson Quizzes | Knowledge checks designed to reinforce learning throughout the course |
| Online Exam | Multiple-choice exam with save-and-return functionality |
| Certificate | 3.5 Hours CE/CPD following successful completion |
| Lifetime Access | Study at your own pace and revisit the material whenever required |
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: 64
CE Broker Provider: #20-860248
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Approval requirements can change. Please confirm acceptance with your own board, association, employer, or regulatory authority before registration.
Cupping for the Modern Practitioner
Professional Reviews & Feedback
The reviews below represent feedback provided by students and practitioners through Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Judge.me.
“Vicki Ramsdell presents cupping in a clear, practical way that feels immediately useful in the treatment room.”
“The course gave me a better understanding of how to adapt cupping for different clients and treatment goals.”
“I appreciated the mix of traditional concepts and modern clinical application. The course felt very well balanced.”
“The demonstrations were easy to follow and helped me refine my cup placement, movement, and pacing.”
“A very practical cupping course. It gave me more confidence using cups as part of a structured treatment plan.”
“Vicki explains pressure, client comfort, and treatment flow in a way that is easy to apply.”
“The course helped me understand cupping beyond just placing cups on tight tissue.”
“The clinical examples were helpful, especially for common conditions like plantar fasciitis and shoulder restriction.”
“I liked the careful attention to contraindications, skin response, and client communication.”
“The course felt complete without being overwhelming. The techniques were presented in a very usable way.”
“Vicki’s teaching style is straightforward and grounded in real practice. I found the course very worthwhile.”
“The treatment sections helped me think more clearly about when to use static cups and when to use movement.”
“This course gave me a much more professional framework for adding cupping to my sessions.”
“I found the discussion of suction levels and tissue response especially useful.”
“The practical demonstrations made the techniques feel accessible and easy to integrate.”
“A strong course for therapists who want cupping to be purposeful rather than simply decorative.”
“The content helped me approach cupping with more confidence, better communication, and clearer treatment goals.”
“I appreciated the blend of Thai, TCM, and modern cupping influences. It made the course feel broad but still practical.”
“The course was clear, well paced, and very relevant to everyday massage practice.”
“Vicki Ramsdell gives therapists a sensible way to use cupping safely, effectively, and with clinical purpose.”
