This 2-hour introductory course is designed to give an overview of the research and basis for cupping and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). This is a home-study course and therefore does not teach clinicians how to perform cupping and IASTM techniques but instead review the relevant physiology and most current evidence on the theories behind these modalities as well as the key fundamentals. Clinicians should always perform treatments within their clinical scope. At the end of the course, participants will take a 15-question quiz to ensure comprehension.
Athletic Trainers
- HawkGrips (P8834) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education for Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 2 hours of Category A CE. ATCs are responsible for claiming only those hours actually spent in educational programming.
Chiropractors
- HawkGrips is recognized by the PACE program of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards to offer continuing education for Chiropractors. This program is eligible for 2 CE Hours. Please visit the following link for a list of states that currently accept PACE courses: https://pacex.fclb.org/pages/BoardRequirements.php
Massage Therapists
- HawkGrips is approved by the NCBTMB as a provider for continuing education to offer 2 CEUs for this course. (#1055, exp. Mar 21, 2025).
Physical Therapists
- This course is offered for 1.5 CEUs for PTs/PTAs in the following states: https://www.redefinehealthed.com/ceuinfo
- This course is subcontracted to Redefine Health Education. RHE is a registered CE approval agency of the PT Board of California, a rule-approved CE provider of the PT Board of Florida (#50-32784), a licensed CE sponsor of physical therapy continuing education by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR #216.000360), an approved continuing competence provider by the APTA North Carolina (#22-0729-033), an approved CE provider of the PT Board of New Mexico, and an approved CE provider of the PT Board of Oklahoma (#BAP202310010) and recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved sponsor of PT/PTA continuing education. In addition to the aforementioned jurisdictions, courses approved by other state boards & APTA chapters will be accepted for licensure credit in all the jurisdictions listed on this webpage, pursuant to regulation: www.redefinehealthed.com/ceuinfo. If you have a specific question about CE credit for this course in your state, please direct your inquiry including the course title in which you are interested, to info@redefinehealthed.com. ***If you are a Florida licensee, this is the CE Broker approval# for this course is 20-900901.
Occupational Therapists:
- This course is currently not pre-approved for CEUs in any states. Some states do not require pre-approval. Licensees can check with their individual state boards on CEU eligibility requirements.
*This course is accepted by many professional credentialing organizations and state professional regulatory boards. Rules and regulations change frequently without notification, and apply differently to live and online courses. Please check with your state board to confirm course approval of contact hours. Certificate of Attendance will be issued to all participants upon completion of the course and may be used for CEU verification of credits. CE credits vary by state. Please check with your state board/certifying agency to confirm conversion of contact hours to CE.
This 2-hour introductory course is designed to give an overview of the research and basis for cupping and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). This is a home-study course and therefore does not teach clinicians how to perform cupping and IASTM techniques but instead review the relevant physiology and most current evidence on the theories behind these modalities as well as the key fundamentals. Clinicians should always perform treatments within their clinical scope. At the end of the course, participants will take a 15-question quiz to ensure comprehension.
- Introduction, History and Mechanisms of IASTM and Cupping
- Introduction and disclaimer
- History of IASTM
- Why IASTM?
- IASTM Proposed Mechanisms of Action
- IASTM Effects and Research
- History of Cupping
- Mechanisms of Cupping
- Cupping Research
- Precautions and Contraindications
- Introduction to Cupping Therapy
- Types of Cups
- Proper Cupping Application
- Therapeutic Cupping Categories
- Cupping Dosage
- Cupping Techniques
- Cupping Aftercare
- Documentation for Cupping
- Introduction to IASTM Therapy
- IASTM Instrument Selection: Shapes, Edges and Bevels
- IASTM Strokes
- IASTM Dosing
- Documentation for IASTM
- IASTM Treatment Overview
- Clinical Reasoning for IASTM and Cupping
- Treatment Principles of IASTM
- Combining Modalities: Demonstrations
- Combining IASTM and Cupping Therapy for:
- Quadriceps
- Neck region
- Lateral Elbow
- Practical Application
- Further Education Opportunities
- Combining IASTM and Cupping Therapy for:
- 15-Question Quiz
Video 1: Introduction, History and Mechanisms of IASTM and Cupping - 33 mins
Video 2: Introduction to Cupping Therapy - 26:24
Video 3: Introduction to IASTM Therapy - 23:03
Video 4: Combining Modalities: Demonstrations - 14:11
15-Question Quiz: approx. 30 min
TOTAL: approx. 2 hours 8 mins
- Define the 4 main theories on how IASTM works and name at least 2 IASTM strokes
- Describe the 4 main types of cupping techniques
- List at least 4 indications of cupping therapy
- Identify at least 4 precautions and contraindications to cupping
- Identify at least 4 precautions and contraindications to IASTM