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Lymphatic Massage Therapist Training

Lymphatic massage uses slow and gentle strokes to assist the movement of lymphatic fluid. Lymphatic massage comes in two main types: manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and lymph drainage therapy (LDT). Lymphatic massage therapist training is available through the Dr. Vodder School International for MLD and the Upledger Institute or Chikily Health Institute for LDT. Plus, many massage schools incorporate some lymphatic massage training into their curriculums or offer continuing education courses in lymphatic massage.

  1. About Lymphatic Massage

    • In lymphatic massage training, massage therapists (and other health professionals) learn to use their hands in a very gentle and anatomically specific way to assist the fluid movement in the connective tissue (interstitial fluid) and the movement of lymphatic fluid. The benefit of stimulating this movement of fluid is to help relieve fluid accumulation (swelling) in the body.

    Benefits

    • Lymphatic massage is often used for lymphedema, impaired flow of blood through the veins, ulceration, skin conditions, problems with circulation, repetitive stress injuries, sprains, strains, sports injuries, burns and before and after plastic surgery. Lymphatic massage may also boost the immune system by improving lymphatic flow, which moves pathogens quicker to the lymph nodes where they can be removed from the body.

    Manual Lymph Drainage

    • Danish doctor Hans Vodder developed the original MLD technique, taught at the Dr. Vodder School International. Vodder training is in 40-hour segments ranging from basic training to advanced courses. To be Vodder-certified therapists, students must complete 160 hours of training and pass a certification exam.

    Lymph Drainage Therapy

    • Bruno Chikly, MD, DO, developed the type of lymphatic massage known as LDT based on the work of Vodder. According to the Upledger Institute, although MLD and LDT are similar, LDT brings another level of specificity and efficiency to the process. Also, Dr. Chikly is the first known practitioner to identify and teach how to manually feel the specific rhythm, quality, direction and depth of the lymph flow. The Chikily Health Institute offers two levels of certification in MLD. The level 1 certification is 140 hours of training, and the level 2 certification is an additional 170 hours of training.

    Expert Insight

    • According to the Dr. Vodder School International, correctly applied lymphatic massage has a profound yet subtle effect on the body. To achieve this result, a therapist has to be correctly trained, fully focused and attentive to the precision of the technique and to the needs of the patient.

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