Training Course in Complex Lymphatic Therapy from the Lymphoedema Association of Australia

Judith R. Casley-Smith

This part of the document was last modified in Febuary 2007

Australia

Australian courses in complex lymphatic therapy will take place in the Southern Highlands of NSW.
For dates please contact Elsebeth Perry. elsebeth@idx.com.au or visit lymphoedematherapist.com.au

An alternative would be to study overseas with one of our certified instructors.

USA.

See  www.Casley-Smith-lymphedema-courses.org. for details   
The Contact number is 404-377-9883 x2, (remember to insert your appropriate country codes)

Tuition: fees will be advised when you contact the site (scholarships may be available for people coming from abroad)
135 hours: meets the standards set by LANA (the Lymphology Association of North America)
Contact information: DeCourcy Squire, PT, CLT-LANA,
[Certified Instructor, Casley-Smith Method]
Complex Lymphatic Therapy Courses
115 Leyden Street
Decatur GA 30030
USA
email: cltcourses@cs.com
phone: 404-377-9883x2

United Kingdom

Macmillan Lymphoedema Academy

Casley-Smith Specialist Education Programme 2007

N.B. Keyworker courses available at all venues.

Israel

Contact  

Dorit Tidhar

Theory Covered in the Three-Week Course

Topic

• History of oedema & lymphoedema
• Grades of lymphoedema & elephantiasis
• Frequency & course of lymphoedema & high-protein oedema

Anatomy & Physiology of Lymphatics

• Gross Structure
• Fine Structure & Physiology
• Fluid Exchange in the Tissues

Pathology of Oedema and Lymphoedema

• Causes of Oedema
• Effects of Oedema

Specific Causes of Lymphoedema

• Primary and Connatal (Syndromes)
• Surgery which causes lymphoedema
• Radiotherapy causing lymphoedema
• Filariasis and lymphoedema

Diagnosis of Lymphoedema

• Clinical
• Special Tests (CAT, Radio-isotopes, NMR - M.R.I.) etc.
• Diagnosis in the Clinic

Treatment of Lymphoedema

• Prevention
• Skin Changes & Infections

Principles of Complex Physical Therapy

• Massage Technique
• Bandage Technique
• Reductions during Course
• Compression Garments
• Exercises and Patient Compliance
• Measurement Techniques, importance of % measurement
• Measuring in the Clinic
• Drugs & lymphoedema: benzopyrones, NOT diuretics
• Results of C.P.T., etc
• Best methods of treatment in varying circumstances;
  What should patient be able to expect?
• Setting up Clinics
• Problems with children & retarded patients
• Hygiene in clinic and home

Other Treatments of Lymphoedema

• Surgical treatment of lymphoedema
• Compression pumps, devices, heat and low level lasers.

Other Topics

• Retraining of posture of a patient after treatment
• Psychosocial problems caused by lymphoedema
• C.P.T. in Palliative care
• CPT in Acute Injury, Venous diseases, Ulcers, Fractures
• Organisations: L.A.A., I.S.L. and State Groups

Theory takes about 3 days of the 10 working-days of the course. The remainder are taken up with practical teaching, demonstrations, mutual practice, videos and case presentations by students. Demonstrations of particular patients, and garment manufacturer representatives for training are part of the course.

The aim is not to produce a fully-qualified therapist - such a state only occurs after many years of practice (and the best therapists never believe that they are fully-qualified, since they consider that they can always learn more).

Rather, the aim is to produce a therapist who thoroughly understands the basic techniques and the principles on which they are based, and can think laterally to be able to deal with each new individual problem as it arises. This means that they are able to treat patients immediately they leave, but that they will know enough to know when they are getting into difficulties. Then, they can always call us for advice - by telephone, fax or email.

In addition, they will be able to add any new advances into their techniques without sacrificing basic principles (or patients!).