Lymphatic Care Specialists, LLC
Carmen Thompson, B.S., LPTA, CMT, CLT
P.O. Box 1411
Christiansburg, VA 24068
Thank you for your interest in our IMLD/CDP certification program. We are happy to present our program as there is tremendous need for lymphatic drainage and lymphedema therapists in all areas of the country.
Courses are 8-5, Thurs, Fri, and Sat, and 8-2 on Sunday.
Certification includes all workbooks, hardback text, upper extremity and lower extremity bandaging kits, lab fees, certification exam and 140 ceu’s. Cost is $2495 for all four modules.
Advantages of our program: Our certification class is unique in that we offer perspectives on the varying treatment techniques and hand techniques taught by the different schools of thought in MLD. Another advantage is that our course is offered in sections and there is ample time between modules to practice techniques, study and to come to the next module prepared with applicable questions. If you take the course in Blacksburg, you also have the advantage of hands-on practice with actual in/outpatients in our clinics. There is no substitute for practice and feedback from actual clients! Lastly, we also study manual lymphatic drainage applications for many other indications than just lymphedema. We study lymphatic organ drainage and full body MLD to stimulate the immune system and bring relief to many suffering with auto-immune conditions such as lupus, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. We are recognized as an approved provider of MLD/CDP training programs by the National Lymphedema Network, www.lymphnet.org.
Basic MLD certification is available with modules I-III this will qualify practitioners to work extensively with conditions of the lymphatic system excluding disorders where there is a direct lymphatic pathology, i.e. cancer treatment of the lymph nodes, lymphnode removal, and types of edemas that require bandaging. This is ideal for those who work outside of a direct medical setting, i.e. massage therapists, and aestheticians.
Conditions that you would be able to safely treat with the certification include: Whole-body tissue detoxification, symptoms of lupus, arthritis, RA, osteoarthritis, Lime’s disease, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, aesthetics, cellulite, lymphatic facial detoxification, wrinkles, scarring, swelling due to surgical procedures and trauma and much more.
Complete MLD/CDP training is recommended if you want to treat more complex medical patients such as oncology patients, patients that have had lymph nodes removed or radiated, those with extensive vascular edema with skin deterioration/ulceration. Thi
We will be teaching the full MLD/CDP 140 hour certification program in two or four modules, depending on your area.
Modules II, III, and IV will all be live seminars.
The dates for all modules are as follows: More courses being added! Please email for details.
Module I: This will include an extensive background/instruction in lymphatic anatomy/physiology, and all of the basic manual techniques. This module is a home study that you may begin at any time.
Module II: This will be a live seminar that will move on from the general introduction of the lymphatic system and superficial treatment to lymphatic drainage of the deeper tissues. These techniques can give you profound results with your complex clients. Next date is October 15th weekend, 2011.
Module III: This will be a live seminar that will include specific treatment techniques of lymphatic disorders. We will also spend time on marketing your services, documentation and building your program.
CDP Module IV: This module will cover all of the basic compression bandaging principles as well as a certified garment fitter training program. Some complex bandaging techniques will be covered as well. This is especially helpful when limbs are not uniform shape and helps relate techniques to real-life applications.
This course will be specifically designed for those who want extensive training on compression bandaging techniques that have been proved to be so beneficial for swelling disorders. We will learn how to properly and safely wrap upper and lower extremities, as well as compression techniques for the trunk, genitalia and face. Each therapist will have the opportunity to complete a certification as a compression “fitter” for one of the major garment retailers at no extra cost.
We will also include a review of the previous three modules in preparation for the certification exam and discuss what the national LANA exam certification entails.
The cost of the MLD/CDP program is $2495 and includes three DVD’s, two texts a handbook for each module, MLD/CDP testing and certification, and the certified fitter program. A non-refundable $50 deposit is required to hold your spot in the course, along with the registration form. An additional $500 is due sixty days before the time of each module, with the balance of $945 due before the last module. Please see the registration form for more details.
*********
Lymphedema is just one of many disorders that you will be taught how to treat and manage in our program. It is an accumulation of lymph fluid between the tissue layers. This presents as swelling, or edema. Lymphedema can be present anywhere in the body.
Lymph fluid is rich in protein making the edematous area very thick and heavy feeling.
Treatment is necessary to not only move the fluid out of the area, but also the protein. If it is not treated, over time, the lymphatic vessels will stretch out permanently and external compression and treatment will be necessary for a lifetime to maintain proper pressure in the valves to move fluid more normally.
Secondly, when the vessels are full of this protein-rich fluid, there is less oxygen in the vessels, decreasing the rate at which wounds, surgery sites and skin ulcerations heal. This also puts the patient at risk of cellulitis, or infection of the bloodstream.
Many people report the first signs and symptoms of lymphedema as a feeling of tightness, or heavy feeling, decreased flexibility in the joints, and clothing or jewelry fitting tightly. Some patients only report strange sensations such as tingling or a crawling feeling on the skin.
What causes it?
There are two primary types of lymphedema. The first is primary lymphedema, or from birth. This is a congenital form of lymphedema caused by a malformation of thelymph vessels or nodes. It may present itself at birth, or later in life. Often it occurs when there are other cognitive impairments at birth as well, i.e. Down’s syndrome.
Secondary lymphedema is caused secondary to lymph vessel destruction, or lymphnode removal secondary to a disease process or a surgery. Oncology care including radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, tumors, infection, compromise of the vascular and immune systems, burns, liposuction and general trauma can all be contributing factors of lymphedema.
Lymphedema does not necessarily develop right after surgery. It can develop decades later!
Lipidema is a condition that is often confused with lymphedema. The patient presents with symmetrical excess size and fat from the hips to the ankles. The patient often looks disproportionately thin on the top half of the body and at the ankles. The lymphatic present in a corkscrew pattern in a lipidema patient trapping fat molecules, resulting in larger appearance and tenderness to touch. Often there are also large lobules of fat on the inside of the knee.
What does the lymphatic system do?
The lymph system is responsible for creating a homeostasis of fluid between the tissues and the general circulation of the body. The system also has very important immune functions, acting to filter toxins from the body by removing bacteria, viruses, foreign objects, and mutant cells.
How is lymphedema treated?
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 nationally recognized standard of care for lymphedema consists of manual lymphatic drainage, or MLD, compression therapy including a multilayered bandage and/or compression garments, and a self-care program consisting of skin care, self-massage and lymphedema exercises.
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.
Summary: There is basically an untapped market in lymphatic therapy which is extremely beneficial and completely uninvasive for the patient while financially lucrative for rehabilitation facilities. Swelling disorders of all types can be helped with MLD/CDP therapy as long as the patient does not have any of the contraindicated pathologies.
Practical Applications of Manual Lymphatic Therapy
A cost effective way to increase patient outcomes
¨ Clinical applications of Manual Lymphatic Therapy-How does it work?
¨ Understand the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and how it impacts a variety of diagnoses
¨ Learn the proper manual lymphatic techniques to increase and influence thelymph flow in the body
¨ How to assess and document for optimum reimbursement and identify proper audiences for marketing
If you’ve been a therapist for sometime, you have probably experienced “burnout” from time to time. You see the same diagnoses and do the same type of treatment, day after day, with often moderate outcomes. Have you ever had a patient whose pain level did not respond no matter what you did? What about the total knee patient who’s swelling doesn’t leave the joint no matter how much E-stim, ice, and retrograde massage you do? Do you see patients that are limited in gait or exercise due to swollen limbs? Are there patients with wounds that won’t heal? Are you often referred patients with Chronic Fatigues Syndrome, or Fibromyalgia that can not tolerate traditional therapies?
Therapy specifically targeting the lymphatic system is cutting edge. Only recently has lymphatic therapy been addressed in this country in conjunction with rehabilitation. The results from this kind of work are so successful because they are significant, measurable, and very often, quickly achieved. You will look at your patients with a new set of glasses upon your return to the clinic.
Course Content:
I. What is Manual Lymphatic Therapy?
A. How does it work?
B. Indications for MLT
C. Contra-indications for MLT
D. History of lymphatic therapy
II. Overview of lymphatic anatomy
Superf
A. Deep lymphatic system
B. Plane barriers
C. Microcirculation
III. Pathologies of the lymphatic system
A. Primary lymphatic conditions
i. Congenital Malformations
B. Secondary lymphatic conditions
ii. Post breast cancer
iii. Venous edema
iv. Post prostate and other oncology care
v. Post-trauma including orthopedic surgeries and conditions
vi. Oral/Dental and Aesthetic applications including popular lypo-lymph drainage.
IV. How is lymphedema diagnosed?
Lymphs
Symptomatic diagnoses
V. Clinical Applications in special populations
A. V
B.
VII. Manual Lymphatic Therapy-Strokes and techniques
A. What strokes to use and when?
B. Treatment sequences per diagnosis
VIII. Alternate forms of treatments for edema
A. Bandaging
B. Compression garments,
C. Circ aid, Reid Sleeve
D. Lymphedema pumps
E. Exercises with edema,
F. Self massage
IX. Marketing
X. Identifying when it is not lymphedema
A. Lipidema
B. Chronic venous insufficiency
C. Menstrual edema
D. Ascites
E. Arterial insufficiency
XI. Documentation for optimum reimbursement
XII. Garment Problem Solving
XIII. In-depth compression bandaging protocol.
Case Studies-Real Patient MLD/CDP observation/clinicals. Our setting affords us the luxury of having you observe real patients in a clinical setting.
What you will learn
¨ An in depth knowledge of the anatomy of the lymphatic system
¨ Who will benefit from MLT/and or/CDP therapy
¨ Flow chart for deciding the plan of care
¨ How to treat certain types of lymphatic conditions and contraindications
¨ How to affect patient outcomes in general rehabilitation by adding MLT
¨ How to document for maximum reimbursement
¨ How to market to target audiences
Who May Attend:
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants
Registered Nurses
Massage Therapists
Aestheticians
Physicians
Physician Assistants
Nurse Practitioners
Nursing Home Administrators
Course Director
Carmen Thompson, BS, LPTA, CMT, CLT, is a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant and Certified Massage Therapist with a specialty certification in Lymphatic Therapy. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Management. She has worked in a variety of health care settings over the last 14 years both clinically and in rehabilitation administration. She has specialized in program development in long term care settings. Currently, she teaches Lymphatic Pathology at the Blue Ridge School of Massage in Blacksburg, Virginia and works exclusively as a lymphatic therapist providing in and outpatient therapy to clients with a large varieties of diagnoses. She has conducted local and state presentations on the necessity of education of breast cancer survivors and their health care workers in the prevention of lymphedema.
FAQ’s for the Course
FAQ's For Module II
Where: Place/Days Inn Blacksburg, VA 24 Conference Rate of $69 http://www.daysinn.com/
There are a couple of people from the massage school willing to host students for low cost. You would be driving about 20 mins in. Please contact me for details.
We have people coming from Ohio, NC, TN, VA, FL, PA, and GA. Please let me know if you are interested in a ride/share. I will try to assist as able.
Airport: The closest airport is Roanoke Regional. You may take the SmartBus from Roanoke to Blacksburg. Please check the schedule at http://www.smartwaybus.com/
Meals: Breakfast is provided if you stay at the hotel. We break for lunch for one hour. There are many reasonable lunch places close by.
What to bring: A massage table, or yoga/exercise mat, blankets, pillows, lab clothes (sports bra), shorts, washable marker, masking tape, and a 3 ring binder.
What you should have completed when you come to Module II:
A good foundation/knowledge of the “Foundations of Manual LymphDrainage” book. We will review thursday morning, then be ready to start with new material after lunch.
A good knowledge of the concepts from the “Foundations” questions/homework from Module I.
A good knowledge of the general hand strokes based on the “Manual LymphDrainage for Body and Face” DVD.
You should have a START of recording your 10 manual practice sessions. These do not have to be checked off on until the last module. (Forms will follow with Module I registration).
You should have in your possession and bring:
Practical Applications of Manual Lymphatic Drainage Workbook
Zuther, Hardback text
Manual Lymph Drainage DVD
National Lymphedema Network, info packet (white envelope)
“Foundations of Manual Lymph Drainage”, book and questions
Lymph
Please let me know if you do not have any of these items.
Snow Policy: If I81/I77 are closed the night before class begins, the coursewill be cancelled and rescheduled. If roads are otherwise hazardous, but passable there will be a judgement call by the course instructor. Please call in if there is doubt. My cell: 540-357-2084. I will also leave a message at the front desk of the hotel. Refunds will not be issued, but you will have credit to attend another course.
We are going to have a great group!!
Notes from participants:
> Got it. Carmen, thanks again for an excellent learning experience. I did a
> basic MLD on R leg with my Oncology client who was experiencing swelling.
> her doc had given her diuretics but without results. Following the session
> we could see visual improvement and reduced swelling. I opened the neck
> area, taught her belly breathing and opened all axillary and inguinal nodes
>
>
> Got it. Thanks again for the wonderful learning experience. I had the
> chance to do a basic MLD sequence on the R leg on an oncology client today
> for swelling, arthritis and P! The results were visually noticeable by the
> end of session. Her doctor had given her diuretics ( low dosage) but they
> weren't helping. She seemed pleased with the results. After opening the
> neck I instructed her in deep belly breathing, opened all axillary and
> inguinal nodes (although I'm sure just R inguinal would have been
> sufficient), then drained her R leg (prox to dist and back). I got to use
> basic strokes, arc strokes and rotary strokes. I really enjoyed this and
> felt excited to have such a quick opportunity following class to reinforce
> the learnings and do something helpful. Carmen the clinical experience was
> invaluable to help me acquire the confidence to try these techniques with my
> clients. You work so hard for us to help get us adequately trained and I
> appreciate it beyond what my words can say. This class has been worth every
> penny and all the effort (including the car misadventure)!
>
> Andrea
>
> Carmen,
> Thanks for sharing this with us. Opportunities to gain this insight
> combined with the clinical hands on makes your course heads and tails above
> the others. My expectations are so exceeded! But by no means stop. I
> apologize if I should not have done a reply all on the first response - the
> hour was late ;-).
>
> One other question I would have for the client is which organs have been
> affect by the LYMF as it can be localized or widespread. Since the onset
> can be from childhood into adulthood I would want to know how long (she
> thinks) she has had it. If it is localized then perhaps rerouting might be
> an option - depending on what else she reveals.
>
> I hope you have time to share more on this person with us.
>
> > For His Glory,
>
> Joan
>
> basic MLD on R leg with my Oncology client who was experiencing swelling.
> her doc had given her diuretics but without results. Following the session
> we could see visual improvement and reduced swelling. I opened the neck
> area, taught her belly breathing and opened all axillary and inguinal nodes
>
>
> Got it. Thanks again for the wonderful learning experience. I had the
> chance to do a basic MLD sequence on the R leg on an oncology client today
> for swelling, arthritis and P! The results were visually noticeable by the
> end of session. Her doctor had given her diuretics ( low dosage) but they
> weren't helping. She seemed pleased with the results. After opening the
> neck I instructed her in deep belly breathing, opened all axillary and
> inguinal nodes (although I'm sure just R inguinal would have been
> sufficient), then drained her R leg (prox to dist and back). I got to use
> basic strokes, arc strokes and rotary strokes. I really enjoyed this and
> felt excited to have such a quick opportunity following class to reinforce
> the learnings and do something helpful. Carmen the clinical experience was
> invaluable to help me acquire the confidence to try these techniques with my
> clients. You work so hard for us to help get us adequately trained and I
> appreciate it beyond what my words can say. This class has been worth every
> penny and all the effort (including the car misadventure)!
>
> Andrea
>
> Carmen,
> Thanks for sharing this with us. Opportunities to gain this insight
> combined with the clinical hands on makes your course heads and tails above
> the others. My expectations are so exceeded! But by no means stop. I
> apologize if I should not have done a reply all on the first response - the
> hour was late ;-).
>
> One other question I would have for the client is which organs have been
> affect by the LYMF as it can be localized or widespread. Since the onset
> can be from childhood into adulthood I would want to know how long (she
> thinks) she has had it. If it is localized then perhaps rerouting might be
> an option - depending on what else she reveals.
>
> I hope you have time to share more on this person with us.
>
> > For His Glory,
>
> Joan
>
Lymphatic Care Specialists, LLC Course Registration
Please complete and return via fax to: 1-540-301-0750.
Registration closes one month before course start with a maximum of 25 applicants for the first module.
Cancellation policy: Refunds can be received up to 30 days before the course start with the reduction of a $50 processing fee. Within 30 days of course start, the amount can be credited toward a future course.
Name:_________________________
Address:______________________
Address:______________________
City:_________________________
State:________________________
Zip Code:_________________________
Phone:________________________
Phone:________________________
Email:________________________
Workplace:____________________
Occupation:___________________
License Number:_______________________
State of Licensure:____________________
Please include a copy of any/all licensures with registration.
Credit Card Info: Please circle Visa MasterCard
Number:_______________________
Expiration Date:_________________________
CVV Code__________________________
Name on the card__________________________
Billing address of card__________________________
X_____________________________
Signature authorizing credit card charge in the amount of the course
X_____________________________
Signature verifying
No comments:
Post a Comment