The aim of the seminar is to train health professionals in the assessment, differential diagnosis, management, treatment and self-management of oedemas, such as lymph oedema, phlebo-lymphostatic oedema, post-traumatic/post-operative oedema and systemic oedemas.
The objective of learning concerns the Complete Decongestive Therapy – CDT, focusing on techniques of Manual Lymphatic Drainage -MLD, based on the Vodder method and techniques of compression bandaging.
Learning goals:
After completing the seminar, participants should have acquired theoretical knowledge of the following:
1. Anatomy of the lymph system (lymph vessels, lymph nodes, drainage regions, anatomical variations, etc.).
2. Physiology of the lymph system compared to that of the circulatory system.
3. Pathophysiology of the lymph and circulatory systems and mechanisms of oedema formation. Various types of lymph system insufficiency and the characteristics of oedemas attributed to them.
4. Pathophysiology of lymph oedema, phlebo-lymphostatic oedema, post-traumatic/post-operative oedema.
5. Clinical reasoning for the assessment and differential diagnosis of oedemas.
6. Competence in designing an integrated treatment plan for any type of oedema.
7. Competence in recognising relative and absolute contraindications of the techniques of Manual Lymph Drainage, as well as of the types of bandaging and capacity for patients’ counselling and guidance.
In practice, participants should be able to:
1. Show their skill in performing all techniques of Manual Lymph Drainage based on the Vodder Method in all body regions. Select different techniques depending on whether these are performed in healthy body areas or areas presenting pathologies.
2. Perform variations of the techniques applied in various pathological conditions depending on their location.
3. Apply, in a reasonable time span, safe and effective bandaging to the extremities (upper and lower), the genital region, the chest, and the face with variations and using different materials.
4. Ensure differential diagnosis of oedema clinical signs and recognise the pathophysiology of each case.
Modules:
The seminar comprises of 4 parts, each one lasting 5 days.
Part 1: Basic Course
Part 2: Therapy I
Part 3: Therapy II
Part 4: Therapy III
These parts should be organised at 2-3 month intervals, so that there is time for participants to study, implement the knowledge acquired from each part in practice and raise questions to be resolved in the ensuing parts. Ideally, a full training cycle should be completed in 1 year.
Course format: Lectures are delivered with the help of Power Point presentations.
Board and Flip Chart are used to draw diagrams.
Techniques are demonstrated on volunteers from among participants.
Techniques are practised with participants working in pairs.
Discussion of questions and problems/issues arising from actual clinical cases.
Demonstration of treatment on actual patients.
Study and presentation of cases by participants.
Certification exams after completing all modules (written and practical).
Target audience: Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses.
No. of participants: 12 min pax, 18 max pax
Course duration: 5 days/module, 8am-5pm
Course dates: Fall 2024
This training is an internationally accredited activity with 38 CPD points/module.
*Certificates of attendance will be provided to attendees at the conclusion of each module and certificate of qualified lymphedema therapist will be granted after successful completion of the course exams.