Healing Through Hands
Discover the possibilities this treatment can offer for your health.
What Is Lymphatic Drainage?
MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE is a Manual Treatment that requires specific techniques that were developed, researched and are used by Certified Lymphatic Therapist to create movement of fluid throughout the body, with a purpose. This gentle touch is specifically prescribed to stimulate the lymphatic system.
When successfully applied, fluid can be redirected from a congested area to a free flow area. The feeling of relaxation that affects the central nervous system, allows the flow of water to efficiently deliver all nutrients that tissues need, taking away all the waste material produced. Taking away all the “trash”, dead cells, cancerous cells, pathogens, debris, bacteria, virus, waste from cellular metabolism, large fat molecules, excess tissue proteins. Therefore, your body is more effective in maintaining homeostasis throughout.
What is a Certified therapist
The growth of lymphedema awareness has resulted in a
proliferation of treatment approaches throughout the health
care continuum (1-4). As lymphedema therapy techniques
have been established in the United States, variation among
the treatment approaches and training methods have
evolved. There are continuing broad scale efforts to oversee
and address optimal treatment approaches and training
methods (5-8).
In order to have an adequate knowledge base in the
pathophysiology of lymphatic function and disorders, and
sufficient training in manual techniques and compression
bandaging principles, along with other components of
Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), it is the position of
the National Lymphedema Network that the minimum
requirements for specialist training in lymphedema
management are as follows:
• Practitioners treating patients with lymphedema will
successfully have completed a minimum of 135 hours of
Complete Decongestive Therapy coursework. The CDT
entry level curriculum should be presented in no more
than four integrated courses from a single training
program. Unrelated review, advanced or supplemental
courses do not satisfy the entry level requirement of
intentional course linkage.
• It is required that one-third (1/3) of training hours,
minimum of 45 hours, should be theoretical instruction.
Two-thirds (2/3) of training hours, minimum of 90
hours, should be practical, hands-on, face-to-face
laboratory instruction. Course work should include
ongoing measures of competency such as exams after
completion of independent study unit and evaluation of
skills competency.
Didactic instruction can be delivered in the classroom or
by distributed education, which is defined as the
teacher and the student being separated by time and or
space. Typically, distributed education involves
technology such as the internet, interactive television,
or videotape. Review time (independent study) and
homework are not recognized as interactive instruction
and will not be counted as contact hours.
• Proof of satisfactory completion of 12 credit hours of
college level human anatomy, physiology, and/or
pathophysiology from an accredited college or
university.
• Have current unrestricted licensure in a related medical
field (PT, PTA, OT, COTA, MT, SLP, RN, MD, DO, DC, PA,
ATC).
These criteria are consistent with the Lymphology Association
of North
America (LANA) standards that have been put forth in an
effort to establish basic minimum standards to certify
adequate competency in the treatment of lymphedema.
Advanced education in Complete Decongestive Therapy is
necessary to achieve these basic criteria. Patients and health
care providers are advocating for advanced training to
adequately meet the needs of this specialized population
(9,10).
It is the position of the NLN that therapists treating
patients with lymphedema meet the above criteria as a basic
minimum standard to ensure that an appropriate level of care
is being provided to this population.
Ref.: NLN.com – National Lymphedema Network – Position Statements – Training of Lymphedema Therapists
Conditions Treated
Here are some applications for MLD but not all. If you don’t find your condition listed here give us a call. I might be able to help or I will refer you to someone that can.