Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage Course Accredited Diploma Certificate

Manual Lymphatic drainage techniques facilitate the removal of metabolic wastes, excess water, toxins, bacteria, large protein molecules, and foreign substances from tissue via the initial lymph vessels and the venous capillaries. In addition it relaxes the sympathetic nervous system, reduces pain, and enhances the activity of the immune system.

It is an effective treatment for a variety of issues including oedema, skin disorders, headache, sinus congestion, sprains and aches, stress, digestive disorders and it can be used before and after surgery to remove tissue congestion and minimize scar formation. It is particularly useful as part of post-mastectomy therapy oedema and fibrosis and relieves pain and tension.

We specialize in providing small classes which makes us one of the most popular training schools.

Furthermore we are passionate about ensuring you receive excellent training with professional and friendly tutors that provide straight-forward tuition to make sure your day is special.

MLD is an important treatment for cancer patients and this course has been designed with that in mind, this will enable you to use this with family and friends with cancer unless active cancer or an undiagnosed lump - in the case of a tumour, if it has not been removed or is not under medical control.

Contra indication: Active cancer patients or an undiagnosed lump - in the case of a tumour, if it has not been removed or is not under medical control.

Please note however that to treat cancer patients and to charge for the treatment FHT and CTHA will not cover a one day course and you will need to complete a longer course. The FHT and the CTHA and accrediting bodies who insure this course's requirements would be 75 learning hours for this which is around a ten day course. However you will still be insured to use MLD techniques for other conditions swelling, oedema etc.

However you may wish to check with your own insurance company as they are all different, if you are not with FHT, CTHA or the guild you may find your insurance company will cover you for use with cancer patients then you will be able to use it and charge for the treatment, but it is best to check with your insurance company first if this is what you wish to do.

This is however a standalone treatment and insurable, many students also use this with their clients who do not have cancer as it is a very effective treatment and a very popular course. You do not have to use it with cancer patients as it has many benefits, for example clients find this treatment as great way to release a build-up of toxins and much more.

You can however still gain insurance with this one day course, you can use this treatment professionally and charge your clients.

We have been advised the following by the Holistic Guild with regard to treating clients with cancer:

The Holistic Guild will cover you if you get a doctors note and they have advised us to send the following to therapists/students:

Illnesses eg cancer and kidney problems.
It is the responsibility of the therapist to adhere to industry best and safe practice when treating a member of the public.

The government have their own bodies who set down in writing what students must learn during their time at college studying for an NVQ ( or equivalent) in Beauty/ Holistic or Nail treatments. For our industry it is HABIA who set these standards.
The National Occupational Standards are considered to be "best industry practice"

Within the NOS for massage it is stipulated that students "must know how to recognise conditions for which massage therapy is inappropriate and for which the client should seek advice from other sources or refer the client to another professional"
A massage therapist or indeed a beauty therapist is not qualified to diagnose a medical condition but should know when it is appropriate to decline treatment until their client has sought the necessary advice and provided you with proof that it is ok for you to proceed with treatment.

This usually takes the form of written consent from their medical practitioner. This is stored by the therapist along with the completed and signed client record card. In the event of a claim the insurance provider would request a copy of the client record card and the letter of consent. This information is provided to the insurer as proof that the therapist has carried out the massage treatment safely, correctly and in accordance with professional codes of practice and organisational requirements.

Therefore, based on this requirement you can offer to treat a client who has been diagnosed with cancer or who is receiving kidney dialysis providing you have obtained the necessary written consent from the client's own medical practitioner. Most Drs are happy to provide a letter but will very often charge a fee.

Lynne Archer - Holistic Guild

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a specific massage technique which helps with the management of Lymphoedema.

Lymphoedema is chronic tissue swelling, often as a result of cancer or its treatment. For example, after mastectomy surgery, the lymphatic system will have been compromised and lymph nodes in the arm pits may also have been removed. This impedes the normal fluid drainage channels and results in lymph fluid collecting in an area causing swelling and pain.

Research has shown that 1 in 5 breast cancer patients will develop lymphoedema of the arm. Unless this is treated the swelling can increase and eventually become very difficult to manage. Although lymphoedema cannot be completely cured, manual lymphatic drainage is an important therapy for treating this condition.

Ultimately it aims to clear blockages so that excess fluids will be pushed out of the affected areas - MLD also aims to prevent fluids accumulating again.