Training courses in lymphatic drainage therapy are usually open to anyone over the age of eighteen who is interested in manual and physical decongestive therapy. Some schools require knowledge of anatomy, pathology and physiology, while others require practical experience. Further training courses generally require extensive experience in this field and are therefore aimed at people who are professionally involved in manual lymphatic drainage and oedema therapy or who have already gained sufficient experience and knowledge in previous courses. The requirements for the individual training courses therefore vary greatly and should be requested directly from the relevant providers.

Specialists in physiotherapy and medical massage with appropriate additional training are called edema therapists or lymphology specialists. The Professional Association for Manual Lymphatic Drainage is made up of specialists who have at least 150 lessons of basic medical knowledge and therefore meet the criteria of the EMR.

With additional training, beauticians can also use manual lymphatic drainage. This is applied to the following parts of the body:

• Face
• Neck
• Cleavage
• Neck
• Back of the head

The following personal requirements apply to lymphatic drainage treatment:

• Good interaction with people
• No reservations for people with disabilities (whether due to illness, injury or disability)
• Don't be afraid to treat wounds
• No problem with applying bandages

The following activities can be practiced after lymphatic drainage training:

• Massages the subcutaneous tissue in the direction of the lymphatic drainage by placing the fingers or hands flat on the skin with finely dosed pressure
• Pumping and rotating movements as well as circular movements facilitate the removal of excess tissue fluid
• Subsequent bandaging reinforces the decongestive effect of the massage
• Detoxification and purification of the organism
• Bring about pain relief
• Targeted stimulation of the immune system

The duration of lymphatic drainage training can vary greatly. You may choose a course that trains you in the techniques and methods of ML in one or two days. However, there are also courses that extend over a longer period of time and provide you with in-depth insights into the treatment and application in several modules in over 150 hours of classroom instruction with just as much supervised self-study in addition to an introduction to this topic.

As a lymphatic drainage therapist, you can work in various healthcare organizations or in an independent lymphology practice. Lymphatic drainage therapy training should be carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the health insurance registration offices. Graduates then have the opportunity to register for lymphatic drainage with their health insurance company.

The individual learning objectives of lymphatic drainage courses can vary greatly depending on which school you choose. The following content is often taught in a manual lymphatic drainage course:

• History and mode of action
• Anatomy
• Transport systems in the body
• Lymphatic system
• Indicators and counter-indicators
• Structure of the compression bandage
• Handles and methods
• Handle sequence
• Practical application
• Forms of edema, edema measurement and documentation