MYOFASCIAL CUPPING TECHNIQUE™ (MCT) - FOUNDATION COURSE
Taught around the world since 2002
Locations: Saskatoon & Edmonton
Instructor: Monty Churchman
Register: www.comphs.com.au
INTRODUCTION
The Myofascial Cupping Technique™ (MCT) was first developed in 2002 by David Sheehan in Australia and can provide profound benefits for your clients, particularly with assisting the body in maintaining Range Of Motion, eliminating Myofascial Trigger Points and reducing restrictive and sometimes-painful fascial adhesions commonly found from repetitive movement originating from sports and the workplace. By reducing fascial adhesions, while encouraging optimal hydration levels of soft tissue, MCT can assist in reducing the incidence of injury and maintaining functional soft tissue.
MCT is a fabulous addition to the toolbox for Massage Therapists. It is a modified version of the ancient Eastern-style cupping with major differences that include targeting the musculoskeletal and fascial systems rather than meridian systems used by traditional Chinese practitioners and using the cups in a moving sequence, rather than stationery.
FOUNDER - DAVID SHEEHAN (AUSTRALIA)
David Sheehan is an experienced clinician, educator, and international presenter specialising in myofascial cupping therapy. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement), a Diploma of Health Science (Remedial Massage), and a Diploma of Education.
With a background as a lead sports trainer working with football clubs, David has extensive experience using vacuum cupping for both injury prevention and rehabilitation. In 2002, before cupping was widely recognised within allied health professions, David was a key driver in adapting traditional cupping methods for modern clinical application to the musculoskeletal system, and more recently, the fascial system of the body.
Since 2002, he has refined these approaches into the Myofascial Cupping Technique™ (MCT), an energy-efficient and highly effective method designed for practical, evidence-informed clinical use. MCT applies the controlled gliding of negatively pressurised cups across soft tissue, assisted by massage creams and, when indicated, joint mobilisation. David teaches this technique to manual therapists including physiotherapists, osteopaths, podiatrists, chiropractors, remedial and myotherapists across Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA, integrating hands-on skills with clinical reasoning and safety principles.
LEAD INSTRUCTOR - MONTY CHURCHMAN
Monty Churchman RMT, CSMTA Sport Fellow (SF), HPC (he/him)
Monty has been a Registered Massage Therapist since 1996, CSMTA (SF) since 2018, a High- Performance Practitioner with Sport Scientist Canada (HPC) and is the CSMTA Liaison for the High-Performance Advisory Council and Own the Podium. He is proud to be a member of both the MTAS (Massage Therapists Association of Saskatchewan) and the CSMTA (Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association). Currently he practices in Saskatoon SK.
Monty has served on the Education and Exam committees, as well as being a current Provincial Board examiner with MTAS. He has also served as the CSMTA National Secretary from 2011-2015, as Vice President, Ethics and Mentorship Chair from 2016-2022 and currently advises on the Membership committee.
He is an Instructor of the CSMTA Advanced Sport Massage Course since 2018, the “Self Massage and the Athlete” workshops on behalf of the Sport Medicine and Science Council of Saskatchewan, and the Myofascial Cupping Technique. Monty helps support all levels of athletes and over the years has had the privilege to work with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders (1999-2002) as well as organizing and implementing massage therapy at Rider training camps (2013-2018), the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Volleyball team (2006-2008), the U of S Women’s Basketball team (2009-2022), and U of S Women’s Hockey 2024.
He is a member of the Integrated Support Team (IST) for the Canadian National Paralympic Swim Team (2015-2022). This has seen him work many performance preparation camps and World Championships across North America, Europe, and the U.K. 2022 saw him selected to the Core Medical Team for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, the 2023 Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile, and the FISU Summer Games in Rhine-Ruhr Germany. He has worked the Grand Slam of Curling Championships in 2019, the 2021 Olympic Curling Trials, and the 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games.
Monty regularly incorporates, IASTM, Myofascial Cupping, Neuromuscular therapy, sport massage, Active Isolated Stretching and PNF stretching in his practice.
How does it work?
By creating a Negative Pressure (tensional) above the surface of the tissues, we decrease the atmospheric pressure allowing the tissue to be lifted and thus causing changes in pressure beneath the skin including the muscle and surrounding fascia. Importantly, our gliding technique creates a traditional MFR technique (push/compression effect) using the leading rim of the cup, which is then followed by a ‘lifting’ negative pressure over the same area (pull effect). As the cup leaves the area we once again create a push/compression effect.
Who uses MCT?
:: Massage & Remedial therapists
:: Myotherapists
:: Podiatrists
:: Physiotherapists
:: Chiropractors
:: Osteopaths
:: Occupational Therapists
:: Sport medicine professionals
Why you should attend this workshop?
:: Learn to lift and separate soft tissue, rather than compression techniques which can be painful and ineffective.
:: Change from the "thumb busting" day in day out approach to your day in the clinic.
:: Treat conditions all more effectively incorporating Negative Pressure which you cannot achieve using traditional Myofascial Release techniques.
:: Create change both on a musculoskeletal and neural level
:: Produce painless results similar to deep tissue work.
:: Offer your clients an alternative to standard massage treatments.
What’s covered?
:: Current evidence-based research supporting the benefits associated with MCT.
:: Use of equipment, infection control and contra-indications.
:: Anatomy of the fascia and its inter-relationship with the musculo-skeletal system.
:: After thorough demonstrations and discussion, students will practice exact area specific sequences including correct direction and amount of negative pressure to be applied.
:: Specific clinical applications including the treatment for Scar Tissue, Myofascial Trigger Points, Plantar Fasciitis and various shoulder conditions will be explored.
WHEN, WHERE & TIMES
SASKATOON
Date: Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 May 2026
Venue: Axiom Career College
Times: 9:30am – 5:00pm each day
EDMONTON
Date: Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 June 2026
Venue: Vicars School of Massage Therapy
Times: 9:30am – 5:00pm each day
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
14.75 Primary Credits apply to members of CMMOTA
16 Primary Credits apply to members of MTAA
14 Primary Credits apply to members of NHPC
14 Primary Credits apply to members of MTAS
20 Primary Credits apply to members of CRMTA