
Download the 48-page pdf course guide for cupping therapy from the resources tab in the video player beside the video.
Explore the history and evolution of cupping therapy from ancient Egypt and traditional Chinese medicine to modern silicone, vacuum, and negative ion cups, popularized by athletes like Michael Phelps.
Cupping releases negative pressure to decompress soft tissues, easing tension and improving mobility. It enhances microcirculation and vasodilation, supporting tissue healing and immune response.
Cupping increases blood circulation and skin perfusion through negative pressure, delivering oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells to muscle for recovery. It relaxes muscle tension via neuromodulation and superficial heat.
Cupping stimulates the lymphatic system to boost drainage, circulation, and immune support. It moves lymph toward drainage sites like the clavicular space, armpits, and inguinal area while reducing edema.
Cupping in sports boosts muscle recovery, reduces inflammation, and enhances performance by increasing blood flow, lymphatic drainage, and oxygen delivery while improving flexibility and movement efficiency.
Identify trigger points, apply suction with cups, and use movement with the cup to ease sensitivity, boost circulation, and reduce referral pain, including brief flash cupping as needed.
Identify contraindications for cupping therapy, including skin lesions, open wounds, fractures, bleeding disorders, varicose veins, abscesses, severe anemia in children and the elderly; use light to medium suction silicone cups.
Identify cautionary cupping sites, including the temporal region, interior neck triangle, axillary area for lymphatic stimulation, cubital fossa, linea alba, femoral triangle, kidneys, and popliteal fossa, with strict duration guidelines.
Explore silicone cups for movement cupping and vacuum pump cups for stationary work, then compare the pros and cons of facial, glass, and negative ion cups, with starter kit guidance.
Learn how to apply cups with dry and movement cupping for myofascial release. Use oil on the body and cream on the feet to improve adhesion and glide.
Learn to apply and remove silicone and vacuum cups using lubricant, squeeze and place to create suction, move the cup over the area, and release the vacuum with a valve.
Master cupping pressure across light, medium, and strong suction using silicone cups and vacuum pumps for lymphatic drainage, acute inflammation, trigger points, and myofascial work in athletes.
Master flash cupping, a fast lift and release technique using two cups (silicone or vacuum) to hydrate tissue and lift sensitive areas. Pair with lymphatic drainage or treat acute pain.
Apply stationary cupping by placing a cup and leaving it in place for 2 to 4 minutes to dilate vessels, create negative pressure, and lift adhered tissue and deep myofascia.
Explore dynamic movement cupping with stationary and moving cups, active and passive tissue release, silicone cups, light suction, and oil or cream to enhance gliding for stimulating or relaxing effects.
Assess cupping marks for tissue stagnation by color and shape, from light pink healthy circulation to dark red or purple severe stagnation, noting silicone cups have a lower bruising risk.
Clean cupping cups with antibacterial dish soap, remove residual oil around the ridge with warm water, then dry thoroughly and inspect for damage to prolong life.
Watch as the instructor outlines a full body cupping massage sequence—prone, side lying, and supine on the spine—with seated chair techniques, then practice on a client or for self care.
Apply cupping to decompress the plantar aponeurosis and calf muscles, place cups on the heel and ball of the foot, then use movement cupping to improve circulation and flexibility.
Apply cupping on the hamstrings to decompress tissue and increase range of motion through side to side movements with vacuum and silicone cups, including passive and active range of motion.
Learn to decompress the sciatic nerve along the midline from the lower back to the foot using cups, promoting pain relief and improving range of motion.
Target the quadratus lumborum in low back pain using static and dynamic cupping, then side-lying stretches and rotations to improve tissue health and spinal mobility.
Apply effleurage to spread oil and assess back tissue, then use bilateral vacuum cups along the spine to decompress the erector spinae and reduce generalized back pain.
Employ static and dynamic cupping across the shoulder girdle, targeting supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor to relieve neck and shoulder tension and boost range of motion.
Treat the iliotibial band syndrome with silicone and vacuum cups, perform static and dynamic cupping, and guide targeted stretches to the tensor fasciae latae, hip, and outer knee for relief.
Apply effleurage on the inner and outer lower leg, then static cupping over the tibialis anterior to address shin splints and trigger points.
Apply effleurage to warm the knee, use static cupping to drain inflammation and edema, then employ flash and movement cupping to boost lymphatic drainage and restore range of motion.
Apply static cupping over the quadriceps with massage medium and effleurage to warm the tissue, then progress to dynamic movement cupping to deepen tissue release and improve circulation.
Explore abdominal cupping massage by warming the area with effleurage, placing cups around the colon and St 25 to support digestion, immune function, and diaphragmatic breathing that activates lymphatic flow.
Target frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis with static and dynamic movement cupping, plus soft tissue release around the rotator cuff and pectoral region to improve shoulder range of motion.
Learn to treat tennis elbow with cupping by decompressing the lateral forearm and extensor muscles, using silicone and vacuum cups, soft tissue release, and effleurage to reduce pain and inflammation.
Apply cupping therapy to decompress the carpal and cubital tunnels, improve circulation, and reduce numbness by using static cups, nerve decompression, and range of motion work.
Apply static and dynamic cupping around the rib cage to ease breathing and loosen intercostal muscles. Target the diaphragm and back for breathwork and lymphatic drainage to support lung function.
Practice along with me to master full body cupping therapy, pause to apply on both sides, and seek feedback from a model or colleague, building confidence to practice.
Learn a simple facial cupping sequence that stimulates lymphatic drainage, reduces facial tension, and enhances sinus and TMJ relief through guided cups, effleurage, and breathwork in a 15-minute treatment.
Practice facial cupping on yourself and a willing model with a video demonstration, then gather feedback to refine the facial cupping sequence with massage and build confidence to add it.
Learn Cupping Therapy & Cupping Massage Techniques for Massage Therapists, Myofascial Release & Bodywork
Learn practical Cupping Therapy and Cupping Massage techniques with Manual Osteopath and Registered Massage Therapist Michael Eric Everson.
This comprehensive online course introduces you to modern cupping therapy and shows you how to incorporate cupping techniques into a professional massage and bodywork practice.
Cupping Therapy involves placing cups on the skin and creating suction. Depending on the method, cups may be used statically or moved across the skin as part of a broader massage treatment.
You'll learn how to select appropriate techniques, apply and remove cups, adjust suction and pressure, and incorporate cupping into a full-body massage session.
What You'll Learn
Practical Cupping Therapy techniques for massage and bodywork
Different types of cupping cups and equipment
Static cupping and moving/gliding cupping techniques
How to apply, adjust and safely remove cups
Appropriate suction, pressure and treatment duration
Cupping techniques for different regions of the body
How to combine cupping massage with hands-on massage techniques
Myofascial and soft-tissue applications of cupping
Treatment sequencing and technique selection
Contraindications, precautions and client-safety considerations
How to incorporate cupping into your existing massage practice
Understanding Cupping Therapy
Cupping is a traditional bodywork practice with a long history of use in different cultures.
Modern cupping therapy uses suction created by cups placed on the skin. The course explores the traditional background of cupping while focusing primarily on practical techniques for modern massage therapy and bodywork.
You'll learn the reasoning behind different cupping approaches and how to select techniques based on the area you're working with, the client's presentation and the goals of the session.
Cupping Massage Techniques
A major focus of the course is learning how to use cupping as part of a broader massage therapy treatment rather than treating it as an isolated technique.
You'll explore techniques including:
Static cupping
Moving cupping
Gliding cupping
Targeted cupping
Myofascial cupping
Soft-tissue applications
Combining cupping with hands-on massage
You'll also learn how to vary pressure, suction, movement and treatment time to create a more controlled and individualized approach.
Full-Body Cupping Techniques
The course demonstrates cupping techniques for multiple regions of the body, allowing you to develop a practical full-body approach.
You'll learn how to work with areas including:
Back
Neck and shoulders
Arms
Legs
Hips
Glutes
Other commonly treated areas
The emphasis is on therapist positioning, cup placement, movement, pressure and client comfort.
Cupping Therapy Safety
Safe application is an important part of learning cupping therapy.
You'll explore contraindications, precautions, appropriate client screening and general safety considerations, as well as what to expect from normal skin responses to cupping.
Cupping can leave temporary marks, discoloration or tenderness, depending on the individual and the technique used. Understanding these responses and communicating appropriately with your client is an important part of professional practice.
Cupping & Myofascial Bodywork
You'll also learn how cupping can be incorporated into myofascial release, soft-tissue work and therapeutic massage.
Rather than relying on excessive suction, you'll develop a more controlled approach to using cups alongside other manual techniques.
This gives you another practical tool that can be incorporated into an existing massage therapy or bodywork session.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is designed for:
Massage Therapists
Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs)
Manual Therapists
Manual Osteopaths
Bodyworkers
Sports Massage Therapists
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation professionals
Spa and Wellness Professionals
Massage Therapy Students
Practitioners interested in learning Cupping Therapy
Whether you're new to cupping or already have experience with massage therapy, this course provides a practical foundation for incorporating Cupping Massage and Cupping Therapy techniques into your professional practice.
Study Online
Complete the course from the comfort of your own home and learn at your own pace.
Individual course purchases include lifetime access to the course, allowing you to return to the videos whenever you want to review cupping techniques, treatment sequences or safety considerations.
Please note: lifetime access described above applies to individual course purchases. Access through a subscription or Personal Plan is subject to the terms of that subscription.
Continuing Education
This course is taught by an approved Continuing Education Provider with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB).
Enroll today and learn practical Cupping Therapy and Cupping Massage techniques that you can incorporate into your massage and bodywork practice.
This course is provided for educational purposes and does not replace medical diagnosis, treatment or professional medical advice. Practitioners should work within their professional scope of practice, obtain appropriate client consent, follow contraindications and precautions, and comply with applicable laws and professional requirements in their jurisdiction.