Certification Program
Lymphatic Care Specialists, LLC teaches courses that meet the requirements for a variety of professions for CEU credits. As a student, you must ensure that the course is currently approved by your appropriate licensing or certification board. Our training program was recognized by the National Lymphedema Network in 2010.
Lymphedema is treated by one or more of the following: Manual therapy, often called Manual Lymph Drainage, compression bandaging, compression garments, a specific self-massage protocol and impeccable skin care. Treatment for lymphedema should be given only by a certified lymphatic therapist who has graduated from a 135 hour certification program.
The massage is extremely light in pressure, engaging the skin layer only to stretch the skin and cause a contraction of the lymphangion to move fluid and protein through the one-way valve system of the lymphatics.
The bandaging component to care is designed to get a good amount of volume reduction in a relatively short period of time. A bandage is worn 24 hours a day and changed daily, or every other day depending on patient proximity to the clinic. The patient’s day-to-day motions will not be restricted with the garment.
An intermittent pneumatic pump is not recognized as the standard of care for lymphedema, but is occasionally used when a patient does not respond to MLD and bandaging therapy. The pump works to gradually move fluid from the limb in segments. The downside of the pump is that is moves only the fluid component, not the protein component. This sometimes creates a cyclical dependency on the pump for daily maintenance.
After volume reduction has been met in the limb, the results will need to be maintained by use of self-massage, compression garments, exercise or a combination of these.
Phone consultations are available to guide you in finding the appropriate help for your specific situation.
For More Information
Please visit our blog www.lymphaticcare.blogspot.com for up to date course and registration info. If you still have questions, please contact Carmen Thompson at 540-357-2084, or email me by using the contact form.
