Lymphedema Continuing Education

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course the participant will be able to:

• Identify the key structures within the lymphatic system and understand how each component functions to process lymphatic fluid throughout the system.
• Describe the different types of lymphedema and lipedema.
• Identify the indications and contraindications for manual massage and bandaging.
• Describe the lymphatic system and how lymphatic fluid flows through the system.
• Identify the key regions of lymph nodes throughout the body.
• Discuss the rationale behind specific massage techniques.
• Discuss the rationale behind bandaging for lymphedema.
• Identify the best massage strokes to utilize for specific body parts and in specific situations.
• Perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the appropriate treatment approach.
• Perform objective circumferential measurement technique for reproducible testing.
• Perform manual massage techniques for upper and lower extremity lymphedema.
• Identify correct, alternate pathways to effectively reduce swelling.
• Perform bandaging techniques for the upper and lower extremities.
• Instruct patients on self-massage and self-bandaging techniques for the upper and lower extremities.
• Identify the proper material to utilize when bandaging for lymphedema.
• Make chip bags and instruct patients on how to make chip bags at home.
• Describe the different types of compression garments and proper wear.
• Discuss how to develop an appropriate therapy program to incorporate massage, bandaging, exercise, and patient education.

Learn from the Expert - Becky Lotz, PT, CLT

Becky Lotz has been practicing therapist since 1994. She became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist in 2000 and has been working with lymphedema patients ever since. Ms. Lotz is currently the clinical supervisor at a major hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. She has a passion for treating lymphedema patients in addition to presenting educational courses to enhance better outcomes in this population.

What is Lymphedema, Anatomy of Lymph System and Types of Lymphedema

• What is lymphedema?
• German Society of Lymphology
• Basic anatomy of the lymphatics
• Review of lymph nodes, watersheds andquadrant
• Blood circulation and lymphatic vessels
• The interstitial fluid
• The primary jobs of the lymphatic system

Demonstration of Lymphnodes, Watersheds, Quadrants and Lymphatic Flow

• Learn the location of the highest number of lymph nodes
• Watersheds and the lymphatics dividing the body
• The connections between the quadrant
• Anastomosis and working with massage across the chest
• Opening up the neck area
• Deep lymphatic ducts
• Learning to massage fluid across the chest and in the back

Patient Subjective Evaluation, Pertinent Objective Techniques and Demonstration

• Learn to properly evaluate your patient
• Determining the reason for the swelling
• What conditions make the swelling better or worse
• What is the organ status?
• Are their kidneys functioning well?
• Are they having any heart problems?
• Are they dealing with any fatigue?
• What is their level of disability from their point of view
• Perform an objective evaluation including a neuro screen
• Looking for any lymphatic cysts or fistulas
• Learn about papillomas
• Evaluating the condition of the skin
• Stemmers sign and the application to the lymphedema patient
• Conduct a proper range of motion test for upper and lower extremity

Measurement Tools and Lipedema

• Assess limb volume using circumference measurements
• What is a lymphoscintigraphy?
• Differential Diagnosis
• Is it just post-op swelling?
• Do they have a DVT?
• Lipedema?
• Does the patient have chronic swelling?

Demonstration of Limb Measurement

• How to perform circumference measurement and subsequent body area volume calculation
• Demonstration of each limb and technique for measurement
• The truncatetd cone and sectional volume
• Technique for hand and digit measurements

An Overview of the Treatment of Lymphedema

• Why do we want to treat lymphedema?
• The fundamentals of developing a comprehensive treatment plan
• Develop an understanding of contraindications
• Preventing the progression of lymphedema
• Older treatment methods explained

Demonstration of Lymphedema Massage techniques

• Lymphatic drainage is basically is a very gentle massage
• Learn the techniques for smooth muscle contraction
• Improving circulation
• Lymphatic drainage is a specialized technique to help move that fluid.
• Contraindications for lymphatic drainage
• Contraindications for Lymphedema Massage to the Neck Region

Demonstration of Patient Self Massage

• Learn techniques on how to instruct a patient to conduct self massage
• Patient demonstrations of specific massage techniques to re-direct lymphatic fluid
• Upper and lower extremity self massage patient demonstration

Lymphedema Upper and Lower Extremity Bandaging Techniques

• Demonstration of upper and lower extremity bandaging for lymphedema
• The basics of the reason for bandaging
• Circulation effects from the bandaging
• Sort stretch bandage by definition
• Unna Boots and why they have value
• TED anti-embolism stockings

Demonstration of Bandaging Supplies and Techniques for Chip Bags

• Learn all the supplies necessary for bandaging
• Learn how to utilize foam in the bandaging process
• Techniques for creating chip bags
• Detailed demonstration of chip bag creation

Demonstration and Explaination of Patient Self Bandaging Techniques

• Develop techniques and skills to teach your patients to self bandage
• Demonstration with instructor narration of patient self bandaging of the upper and lower extremity

Understanding Compression Garments and Patient Education

• Daytime and nightime use of garments
• Learn about compression pumps
• Patient Education Overview
• Developing a patient education program to maximize your functional outcomes with lymphedema patients

Course Test - Evaluate your knowledge

• Use the Healthclick proprietary online education system which provides the online student with:
• Worldwide access to high definition video, anatomical animations and images, and written information
• The highest quality film in the industry, you can see the difference!
• Stop and resume within a course, the Healthclick system will optimize your course based on your device, connection and remembers where you left off.
• Real-time course updates. We are always adding to each courses, updating content, adding animations, these are not static courses!
• Evaluate your knowledge with the course test on any device.
• Print your state course certificate for CE credit.
• Take the online test as many times as need in order to achieve a 70 % or greater score.