Lymphedema is a condition that occurs when the lymphatic drainage system is impaired.
The lymphatic system has two main functions. First, to maintain the balance of fluid in the internal environment and second, to facilitate immunity. The lymphatic drainage system is responsible for the removal of interstitial fluids from tissues and it absorbs and transports fatty acids and fats as chyle to the circulatory system. It also transports immune cells to and from the lymph nodes into the bone and antigen-presenting cells to the lymph nodes where an immune response is stimulated.
Depending on how impaired the drainage system becomes, protein-rich fluid will build up in some portion of the body and cause the condition known as lymphedema. Lymphedema is essentially the extent to which the volume of lymphatic fluid within a given area exceeds the capacity of the lymphatic transport system to remove it. A lymphedema specialist could also be considered an occupational therapist or physical therapist.
- Bachelor's degree with science requirement
- Advanced certification
- 135 hours of coursework
- Obtain Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) experience
- Pass the exam
Show More
Instructions
-
-
1
Earn a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy or physical therapy at an accredited collage. You must also complete the science requirement of at least 12 credit hours of college-level education in physiology, pathology or anatomy.
-
2
Complete an advanced certification that will stand as a current license or registration with the Lymphology Association of North America.
-
-
3
Complete the required 135 hours of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) at a reputable lymphedema training program. For example, the Lymphology Association of North America upholds the standards and quality of training in the field of lymphology.
-
4
Obtain one year of Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) and Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) experience in direct patient care. The Lymphology Association of North America will require one year of hands-on experience.
-
5
Pass the exam.
Read TherapyEd's 2010 "NPTE Review & Study Guide," by Susan O'Sullivan and Raymond Siegelman.