• Manual Lymph Activation: Level 4

Manual Lymph Activation: Level 4

  • Trainers
  • Heidi Watson |

The goal of this course is to teach practitioners to mobilize lymphatic fluid in clients with intact or damaged lymphatic systems.

We will review the anatomy and physiology of the vascular and lymphatic systems before going into detail on various disorders that impact the regulation of swelling in the body. Patient evaluation, adjunct treatments, and overall lymphedema management will reviewed in this course as well.

Prerequisites:

Participants must be registered health professionals in one of the following fields: Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Assistant, Massage Therapy, or MD. Or be able to provide proof of a basic science requirement of 192 hours of human anatomy, physiology, or pathology from an accredited college or university.

Course Information

Objectives required for certification in Combined Decongestive Therapy

1. Understand the anatomy of the circulatory system, lymphatic system, integumentary system, and the interstitium. (21 hours)

2. Understand the physiology of the bodies major and minor vasculature as well as how lymph is formed and transported. (12.5 hours)

3. Be able to identify and differentiate between the different lymph vascular disorders. (20 hours)

4. Be able to identify and differentiate other disorders that are associated with or lead to lymphatic disorders. (13 hours)

5. Be able to complete and understand relevant elements from a patient history including diagnostic testing (26.5 hours)

6. Understand and be able to implement the various techniques in Lymphedema Management (40 hours)

- Manual Lymphatic Drainage (hands on training)

- Compression Bandaging (hands on training)

- Compression Garments (hands on training)

- Decongestive Exercises (hands on training)

- Client Education

7. Recognize principles of adjunct treatments. (5 hours)

8. Adapt Treatments for complicated cases (6 hours)

9. Review best practice frameworks for the Treatment of Lymphedema

Detailed Course Overview

Anatomy topics will include:

- Circulatory System:

  • Venous System
  • Arterial System

- Lymphatic System

  • Embryology
  • Lymphangiogenesis
  • Prelymphatic Channels
  • Lymphatic Vessels
  • Lymph Nodes
  • Lympho-venous Anastomoses
  • Watersheds and Collateral Anastomoses
  • Superficial Drainage Pathways
  • Deep Drainage Pathways

- Integumentary System

- Interstitium

Physiology topics will include:

- Function of Major Vasculature

- Function of Micro Vasculature

  • Starlings hypothesis and equilibrium
  • Systemic functions that prevent edema in the body

- Lymph formation and transport

Lymph-Vascular Disorders that we will review:

- Primary and Secondary Lymphedema

  • Differentiate Etiology
  • Identify Pathophysiology
  • Classify and Stage Disorder
  • Recognize signs and symptoms

Review other Disorders related to Lymph-Vascular Disorders:

- Differentiate Etiology of the following:

  • Lipedema
  • Lipolymphedema
  • Phllebolymphedema
  • Chronic Venous Insufficiency
  • Myxedema

- Identify pathology and pathophysiology of the above-listed conditions

- Recognize signs and symptoms of the above-listed conditions

Patient Evaluation

- Identify relevant elements of the patient history

- Assess implications of patient history

- Recognize potential complications associated with lymphedema

- Conduct physical examination

- Comprehension of diagnostic tests

- Incorporate results of diagnostic tests in treatment planning

Lymphedema Management

- Complete Decongestive Therapy

  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage
    • Technique
    • Contraindications and Theory
  • Compression Bandaging
    • Technique
    • Contraindications and Theory
  • Compression Garments
    • Sizing Techniques
    • Contraindications and Garment Choice
  • Decongestive Exercises
    • Technique
    • Contraindications and Theory
  • Skin Care
  • Client Education

Recognize Principles of Adjunct Treatments

- Intermittent pneumatic compression

- Additional treatment options

Adapt Treatments for Complicated Cases

Improving Client Quality of Life

Best Practice Frameworks

- International Lymphedema Framework

- International Society of Lymphology

- National Lymphedema Network

- Canadian Lymphedema Framework

Methodology

Theoretical material will be available through this online portal. Please bring all you questions for discussion to the weekly hands-on treatment sessions. In face to face sessions, we will be learning the hands-on technical work while accumulating the required hours for the CDT designation.

Helpful Resources

Voices of Lymphedema: Stories, Advice, and Inspiration from Patients and Therapists

- Ann Ehrlich & Elizabeth McMahon

Foundations of Manual Lymph Drainage

- Michael Foldi & Roman Strossenruther

Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymph Drainage

- Dieter Wittlinger & Hildegard Wittlinger

Lymphedema Managment: The Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners

- Joachim Zuther & Steve Norton

Assessments

Course Participants will be asked to complete multiple choice assessments after each chapter to consolidate theoretical knowledge. Observation of hands on techniques will be monitored at weekly training sessions.

Formal Certification is available after you have completed this course through the Lymphedema Association of North America (LANA).

Coaches

Heidi Watson

Heidi Watson