Lymph drainage massage is a unique technique first developed in Europe by Dr. Emil Vodder. Because of his lack of medical credentials, because his work was largely intuitive, he first found an audience in the beauty industry rather than the medical industry. However, his work was eventually accepted as a form of physical therapy used for the treatment of lymphedema disease.

Experience has shown that lymph drainage massage is not only for patients with lymphedema disease; there is also lymph drainage therapy for mesothelioma and lymph drainage massage is also a perfect technique for helping clients to maintain health and improve the beauty of the skin. Lymph drainage massage also affects the connective tissue, and is profoundly relaxing, making it suitable for body/mind work. This class is open to massage therapists, estheticians, nurses and other health care providers.

Required reading: Milady's Guide to Lymph Drainage Massage by Milady, which can be purchased under Books and Supplies. Click on the book icon and you should be redirected to the Amazon address where the book can be purchased. This is a must have for the class.

Benefits of lymphatic drainage massage therapy:

• reduces edema, local puffiness
• stimulates a sluggish immune system
• enhances immunity on a cellular level
• enhances the beauty and health of the skin
• nurturing and soothing
• promotes deep relaxation
• speeds healing of injuries
• reduces scar tissue

Lymphatic drainage massage can be combined with other techniques:

• with cellulite massage
• with sports massage to speed the healing of injuries
• with deep tissue massage to reduce post-session soreness and swelling
• with facials to enhance the skin from the inside and outside
• with body-mind work to produce a deeply relaxed state for inner work

At Somatherapy you will learn a unique lymph drainage massage that:

• can be adapted for use in a spa setting
• can be combined with other services or offered as a stand-alone service
• can be performed with or without emollients
• focuses on maintaining health, rather than treating disease

Students learn:

• detailed neck and face massage
• treatment sequence for each quadrant of the body
• indications and contraindications
• physiology of the lymphatic system
• health and safety issues

Mesothelioma Cancer

Visit to learn how mesothelioma, also referred to as asbestos cancer, patients are using lymph drainage therapy as palliative relief during cancer treatment.