lymphedema treatment

Why do I only list continuing education over the last 5 years?
Because research is ongoing, and techniques are constantly being revised. Staying up to date is part of an evidence-based practice. Also, with over 20 years of continuing education, listing everything would make for a very long list.

Klose Training

*Manual Lymphatic Drainage – 45 hours
Head & Neck Lymphedema – 6 hours
Lymphedema Therapy – 135 hours
Breast Cancer Rehabilitation – 16 hours

Other Training

Oncology Massage – 24 hours
*Contemporary Cupping Methods – 24 hours
*Advanced Cupping Methods – 24 hours
*Facial Cupping Rejuvenation – 8 hours
Burn Scar Massage Therapy – 8 hours
Plastic Surgery Recovery & Fibrosis Massage – 4 hours
Massage After Reconstructive Surgery – 4 hours
*Human Trafficking for Texas Health Professionals – 2 hours
*Recognizing and Responding to Human Trafficking in Texas – 1 hour
*Care for Special Populations – 2 hours
*Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Comprehensive Guide for Massage Therapists – 1 hour
*Ethics for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork – 3 hours
*Massage Therapy for Sports Injuries – 4 hours
*Working With Clients with Health Problems – 2 hours

Conference Education

Society for Oncology Massage – 2023 – 12 hours
Integrative Care – Creating a Healthier, More Sustainable System
Practice Based Research Networks to Facilitate Collaborative Connections within the Therapeutic Massage Profession
Postoperative Lymphatic Therapy for Clients with a Cancer History
Perspectives on the Implementation of Integrative Care
Building a Resilient & Regulated Nervous System after Trauma
Humor and Healing from the Massage Client’s Perspective
“Get a Doctor’s Note” is Not Good Enough (and What Is)
Disruption of the Lymphatic System following the Treatment of Head & Neck Cancers

POWER Lymphatics – 2024 – 17 hours
Integrating Modalities Into Your Lymphedema Practice
Managing Edema for the Medically Complex Patient
Lifestyle & Lymphedema: Impacts of Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep & Stress
+Lymphedema Impact in Head & Neck Cancer – The Speech-Language Pathologist’s Role
The Benefits of Managing Post Surgical Edema after Total Knee Arthroplasty
Peri-Operative Conservative Management
Differential Diagnosis of Red Leg: Cellulitis…or Pseudocellulitis?
Building a Comprehensive Lymphedema Program in a Rural Area
+Winning in Wound Care

*Only these 144 course hours count towards TDLR recertification. We are required to take 12 hours per renewal cycle (2 years.) The 226 hours which TDLR does not recognize are because 1) they provide a better foundation to better serve my clients, and 2) the more I learn, the more I realize there is to learn.

+Informational only, I refer to other professionals for all care outside of my scope of practice. An effective lymphedema management team understands what other providers are doing to support the client/patient.

While there are a few classes based on the same basic material offered by people with a Texas Massage Instructor license, I’ve always been that person who migrates to the most challenging class. I’ve selected most of my oncology and lymphedema courses after researching the best education I can find. I travel to attend internationally-recognized conferences because taking the easiest, cheapest route and getting a certificate just because I was in the room during a presentation doesn’t feel right to me. NOTE: There is now a Texas Massage Instructor offering an S4OM approved Oncology Massage course. I’ve encouraged my colleagues who did not want to take a class that would not count towards their license renewal to take it. With any luck, we’ll have more well-trained massage therapist options for those affected by cancer by year’s end. There’s a huge need, as ignorance can lead to complications for the client.

My approach isn’t for everyone. (Whose is, really?) If you have lymphedema, post-operative swelling, cancer, or a history of oncology treatment, you’re probably not looking for a provider who “learned from grandmother from the old country” or took a 6 hour course taught by an instructor who creates their own content without citing peer-reviewed research studies…or maybe you are. You’re the expert at living in your body!