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 conditionsCourse 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 strainWho 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 .nat-ce{margin:50px 0;padding:36px 0 20px;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#222}.nat-ce h2{margin:0 0 10px;color:#c3283d;font-size:30px}.nat-ce p{margin:0 0 18px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;color:#545454}.nat-ce-info{margin-bottom:24px;padding:16px 18px;background:#fafafa;border-left:4px solid #c3283d}.nat-ce-cue{margin:0 0 16px;text-align:left;color:#222;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:.03em;text-transform:uppercase}.nat-ce-row{display:flex;gap:14px;overflow-x:auto;padding:4px 20px 20px 0;scroll-snap-type:x proximity}.nat-ce-card{scroll-snap-align:start;flex:0 0 min(245px,76vw);max-width:min(245px,76vw);border:1px solid #e5e5e5;background:#fff;box-sizing:border-box}.nat-ce-board{height:86px;padding:12px 14px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;background:#f7f7f7;color:#222;font-size:13px;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.35;display:flex;align-items:center;box-sizing:border-box}.nat-ce-hours{padding:12px 14px 14px;color:#545454;font-size:13px;line-height:1.5}.nat-ce-hours strong{display:block;margin-top:3px;color:#c3283d;font-size:26px;line-height:1}.nat-ce-note{margin:18px 0 0!important;font-size:13px!important;line-height:1.7!important;color:#666!important} .nat-ce{margin:50px 0;padding:36px 0 20px;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#222}.nat-ce h2{margin:0 0 10px;color:#c3283d;font-size:30px}.nat-ce p{margin:0 0 18px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;color:#545454}.nat-ce-info{margin-bottom:24px;padding:16px 18px;background:#fafafa;border-left:4px solid #c3283d}.nat-ce-cue{margin:0 0 16px;text-align:left;color:#222;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:.03em;text-transform:uppercase}.nat-ce-row{display:flex;gap:14px;overflow-x:auto;padding:4px 20px 20px 0;scroll-snap-type:x proximity}.nat-ce-card{scroll-snap-align:start;flex:0 0 min(245px,76vw);max-width:min(245px,76vw);border:1px solid #e5e5e5;background:#fff;box-sizing:border-box}.nat-ce-board{height:86px;padding:12px 14px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;background:#f7f7f7;color:#222;font-size:13px;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.35;display:flex;align-items:center;box-sizing:border-box}.nat-ce-hours{padding:12px 14px 14px;color:#545454;font-size:13px;line-height:1.5}.nat-ce-hours strong{display:block;margin-top:3px;color:#c3283d;font-size:26px;line-height:1}.nat-ce-note{margin:18px 0 0!important;font-size:13px!important;line-height:1.7!important;color:#666!important}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.
Course: Orthopedic Cupping - Lower ExtremitiesApprovals Listed: 65
CE Broker Provider: #20-938357 Scroll right to view all approvals in alphabetical order → Alabama Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 Alabama Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours
6 Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours
6 Alaska Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
6 Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours
6 Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 Arkansas Board of Massage Approved Hours
6 Association of Massage Therapists (AMT) Approved Hours
6 Australian Traditional Medicine Society Approved Hours
6 Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Approved Hours
6 Canadian Athletic Trainers Association (CATA) Approved Hours
2.4 Canadian Massage & Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association (CMMOTA) Approved Hours
5 Certified Registered Massage Therapist Assc (CRMTA) Approved Hours
4 - Secondary CEU/CPD Self-Cert Approved Hours
6 Chiropractic Board of Australia Approved Hours
6 College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia (CCHPBC) Approved Hours
6 College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB) Approved Hours
6 College of Massage Therapists of Newfoundland and Labrador (CMTNL) Approved Hours
3 College of Massage Therapists Ontario (CMTO) Approved Hours
6 College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC) Approved Hours
6 Connecticut Board of Chiropractors Approved Hours
6 Connecticut Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 Deleware Board of Massage and Bodywork Approved Hours
6 Distrcit of Columbia Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 Florida Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 (Hands On credits) Georgia Board of Massage Therapy *General* Approved Hours
6 Georgia Board of Nursing *General* Approved Hours
6 Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours
6 Indiana Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 Iowa Board of Chiropractic Approved Hours
6 Iowa Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
6 Kansas Chiropractic Association Approved Hours
6 Maine Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners Approved Hours
6 Massage Therapists' Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS) Approved Hours
6 Massage Therapy Assc of Manitoba (MTAM) Approved Hours
6 Massage Therapy Assc of Saskatchewan (MTAS) Approved Hours
6 Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy (MSBMT) Approved Hours
6 Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage Approved Hours
6 Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners Approved Hours
6 Montana Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Approved Hours
6 National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) Approved Hours
6 National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork - New York (NCBTMB-NY) Approved Hours
6 Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) Approved Hours
6 Nebraska Massage Licensure Board Approved Hours
6 Nevada Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
6 New Hampshire Advisory Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
6 New Jersey Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy Approved Hours
6 North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy Approved Hours
6 North Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 Ohio Chiropractic Board Approved Hours
6 Oklahoma Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners Approved Hours
6 Oregon Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
6 Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 Prince Edward Island Massage Therapy Association (PEIMTA) Approved Hours
6 Registered Massage Therapists' Association of Ontario (RMTAO) Approved Hours
6 South Carolina Massage/Bodywork Panel Approved Hours
6 South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
6 Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure Approved Hours
6 Virginia Department of Health Professions (Massage Therapy) Approved Hours
6 Washington Board of Massage Approved Hours
6 Washington Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours
6 West Virginia Massage Licensure Board Approved Hours
6
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.
★★★★★ 4.8 average rating across reviews collected via 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.”
Vivienne M., LMT“The injury-specific applications were exactly what I needed. The plantar fasciitis and knee sections were especially useful.”
Ronan R., Sports Therapist“I liked how the course moved beyond general cupping and focused on assessment, reasoning, and specific orthopedic conditions.”
Asha V., RMT“The safety guidance was clear and realistic. I came away with a much better sense of when and how to use cups appropriately.”
Felix J., PT“The demonstrations were very helpful. Seeing the cup placement, movement, and pacing made the techniques much easier to understand.”
Noor K., Massage Therapist“A strong course for therapists who want to use cupping with more clinical purpose rather than as a generic add-on.”
Matias E., Manual Therapist“Dr. Edwards gives clear explanations and practical examples. The course helped me refine how I use cupping with athletes.”
Ksenia P., LMT“The assessment lab was one of the most useful parts for me. It helped connect cupping choices to what the client actually presents with.”
Emre S., ATC“The course gave me fresh ideas for working with hip bursitis, ITB irritation, and lower limb overuse patterns.”
Beata T., RMT“I appreciated the orthopedic focus. The content felt much more specific than other cupping courses I have taken.”
Theo C., DC“The explanations around suction, tissue response, and client comfort were very well handled.”
Dina L., Massage Therapist“This course helped me think more carefully about how cupping can support recovery after ankle sprains and knee injuries.”
Santiago H., PTA“The treatment examples were practical and easy to adapt. I especially valued the lower extremity protocols.”
Maja B., LMT“Dr. Edwards presents with confidence and clarity. The course has a very useful balance of theory and hands-on application.”
Ibrahim F., Sports Therapist“I found the sections on tendinopathy and post-surgical knee considerations very helpful for clinical decision-making.”
Elisa D., RMT“The course helped me use cupping with more intention, especially when working around pain, restriction, and soft tissue sensitivity.”
Oren W., OT“Clear instruction, useful protocols, and a sensible approach to contraindications. This was a very worthwhile training.”
Camille A., Manual Therapist“I liked the way the course connected cupping technique to common conditions like hamstring strain and piriformis-related pain.”
Rika Q., LMT“The clinical examples helped me understand how to adjust suction, duration, and movement for different clients.”
Anton G., PT, DPT“A practical, well-organised course that made orthopedic cupping feel much more precise and clinically useful.”
Salma Y., Massage Therapist .nat-student-reviews { margin: 50px 0; padding: 42px 0; border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; background: #ffffff; } .nat-section-heading { max-width: 1100px; margin: 0 auto 30px auto; text-align: left; padding: 0 20px; } .nat-section-heading h3 { margin: 0 0 8px; color: #545454; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.4; letter-spacing: 0.02em; text-transform: uppercase; } .nat-section-heading h2 { margin: 0 0 12px; color: #c3283d; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.3; } .nat-section-heading p { margin: 0 0 14px 0; max-width: 900px; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7; } .nat-review-summary { display: inline-block; margin-top: 6px; padding: 8px 14px; border: 1px solid #e4e4e4; background: #fafafa; color: #545454; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.5; } .nat-review-scroll { display: flex; gap: 20px; overflow-x: auto; scroll-snap-type: x mandatory; padding: 20px; } .nat-review-card { flex: 0 0 340px; scroll-snap-align: start; background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #e4e4e4; border-left: 4px solid #c3283d; padding: 24px; } .nat-review-card p { margin: 0 0 18px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.7; font-style: italic; } .nat-review-author { color: #545454; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; border-top: 1px solid #e6e6e6; padding-top: 12px; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar { height: 8px; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background: #f0f0f0; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: #c3283d; } @media (max-width: 768px) { .nat-section-heading h2 { font-size: 26px; } .nat-review-card { flex: 0 0 290px; } .nat-review-summary { font-size: 13px; } }
