Vodder School International

Lymphatic research symposium

2012-02-09T11:17:00.000-08:00

Ly Lymphatic research symposium with an emphasis on lymphedema and cancer.
Speakers: Dr. Stanley Rockson and David Zawieja, PhD.
Saturday March 3 from 9.00 - 12.00. Santa Barbara City College, CA.
Free.
Please call Rosario Campuzano to RSVP at (805) 563-5852 or email rosario@ccsb.org.

2012-02-01T08:01:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Miss Emmaline Barker from Dallas, TX who turns 100 today! Emmaline is a Dr. Vodder certified therapist and is one of the first to be certified in the USA. We wish her all the very best as she celebrates this milestone today.

Mark your calendars for February 20th

2012-01-26T09:09:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars for February 20^th. Robert Harris will be presenting on Lymphedema in Kamloops, BC to health care professionals and patients from 6.30 – 8.30 pm at the Desert Gardens “Sahara Room”. Please contact Helen or Cheryl at info@healthylifegarment.ca or call 778-220-2269 for more information.

Lymphedema: What is it, how it is diagnosed and the current treatment recommendations

2011-12-19T10:05:00.001-08:00

Lymphedema: What is it, how it is diagnosed and the current treatment recommendations. Mark your calendars! January 9^th, 6.30 – 8.30 pm at Vernon General Hospital with Robert Harris, Senior Instructor of the Dr. Vodder School. Held at Vernon General Hospital and hosted by the Inland Health Authority (BC, Canada) wound / ostomy committee. RSVP to lani.williston@interiorhealth.ca

First course in Taipei Taiwan completed

2011-11-21T10:04:00.001-08:00

Dr. Vodder School-International has just completed the first Chinese-speaking course in Taiwan. 18 health care professionals attended the first Dr. Vodder training, held in Taipei city in Chinese with translation provided for instructor and director, Robert Harris by Gloria Yuan from Yuanliu School. Congratulations to all who completed this first course!

Dr. Vodder graduates...Congratulations everyone!

2011-11-13T13:20:00.000-08:00

Dr. Vodder graduates: Congratulations to our latest graduates from the Dr. Vodder School 160 hour training program. Dr. Anna Towers and Robert Harris led the training program in Victoria, BC, Canada and completed November 11th with participants from Canada, USA, Australia and Japan.

Lymphedema Framework Project survey

2011-11-13T13:14:00.000-08:00

Lymphedema Framework Project survey: the ALFP has releasedits latest survey and all lymphedema therapists are asked to complete it beforeNovember 30th. Help contribute toresearch and change in patient care for those with lymphedema. Go tohttp://www.alfp.org and click on the “LE Therapist Survey” tab.

Prof. Hildegard Wittlinger will be a keynote speaker at NLN conference

2011-11-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

We are very excited to announce that Professor Hildegard Wittlinger will be the keynote speaker at the National Lymphedema Network conference in Dallas, on September 9th 2012. Professor Wittlinger founded the original Dr. Vodder School in Austria and has been a champion of the Dr. Vodder method of Manual Lymph Drainage around the world and has inspired many thousands of therapists. She will speak on the history and development of the Vodder method of MLD. For further information go to the NLN website at: www.lymphnet.org

LAO will hold its first WEBINAR

2011-10-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

Lymphedema Association of Ontario will hold its first WEBINAR on October 25th , 7.30 – 9.00 pm with Nicole Stout, MPT. The topic is "Debunking the Myths of Exercise and Activity with Lymphedema". The Annual General Meeting of the LAO will also take place that evening. To find out more, go to http://lymphedemaagm.eventbrite.com/?ref=estw

Vodder-certified teachers from around the world

2011-10-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

Vodder-certified teachers from around the world met at the Dr. Vodder Akademie in Austria, October 1 and 2 for an international teacher meeting. Twelve countries were represented including Austria, Canada, France, Ireland, Isreal, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA. Research and theory updates were given by Prof. Horst Weissleder and the Directors of the Dr. Vodder Schools provided practical updates for the instructors.

Lymphedema consensus documents

2011-09-21T13:54:00.000-07:00

Lymphedema consensus documents are now available for download. Two important, world-wide consensus documents are available for download from our website at www.vodderschool.com/current_articles. The International Society of Lymphology (ISL) has a 2009 document on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Peripheral Lymphedema. The International Lymphedema Framework (ILF) has a 2006 Best Practice for the Management of Lymphedema document. There are plans to release an update to the ILF document in 2012.

New instructor to the Dr. Vodder School faculty

2011-07-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

Lymphedema therapist and senior physiotherapist, Hozaidah Hosain, PT is the most recent member to join the Dr. Vodder School teaching faculty. We are delighted to welcome Hozaidah who is chief of Oncology Rehabilitation and Lymphedema Therapy at Singapore General Hospital (SGH). Hozaidah initiated the lymphedema management program in Singapore in 1999 and has successfully established SGH as a centre of excellence in lymphedema therapy in South East Asia. Find out more about the Dr. Vodder School faculty at: http://www.vodderschool.com/faculty

MLD 4 week Certification Courses in Victoria, BC

2011-07-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Our Fall courses are just around the corner. We will be offering Basic, Therapy I and Therapy II & III classes. These courses are available to PTs, PTAs, OTs, OTAs, RNs, and RMTs. The latter require a minimum of 500 hours in a recognized massage therapy program or US National certification. If you have completed 500 hours at a massage school this is sufficient training prerequisite.

The courses will be in Victoria, the beautiful oceanfront capital of British Columbia, Canada.

Basic is the first level of the 4-week training program, involving extensive hands-on work. The basic strokes and their application to each body part are taught. The theory covers anatomy and physiology of the lymph vessel system, connective tissue, effects of MLD and contradictions. Lymphedemas are described with an emphasis on how MLD can affect them.

Therapy I is the second level of the 4-week training program and will teach you the orthopedic applications of MLD as well as learning specialized techniques for the head, abdomen and intercostals. Apart from the new skills and theory you will learn in this class, there will be a thorough review of Basic theory and practical.

Therapy II & III is the final two weeks of the training and will teach you how to apply the skills you have learned in the Basic and Therapy I courses to various pathologies. You will learn many new skills including Combined Decongestive Therapy, which utilizes bandaging, edema strokes, exercises and skin care. While more than half of the course is dedicated to the treatment of lymphedema, many other pathologies are also covered. Dr. Anna Towers, lymhedema specialist from Montreal University Health Centre and associate professor in the faculty of Medicine at McGill University will give the theory lectures.

ILF Conference

2011-06-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

We are looking forward to the International Lymphedema Framework conference in Toronto, June 16 to 18 at the Marriott hotel. If you are planning on attending, please do stop by and visit us at the Dr. Vodder School exhibit.
Enjoy the conference!

NALEA alliance formed

2011-05-16T13:27:00.001-07:00

This exciting announcement represents an important new development related to your practice as Certified Lymphedema Therapist. Recently a new association was formed to maintain and improve training standards in the field of lymphedema therapy. This new association is called NALEA (North American Lymphedema Education Association) and is currently comprised of the 4 major training schools responsible for certifying the vast majority of CLT's in the United States and Canada. The founding members are;

~ Academy of Lymphatic Studies
~ Dr. Vodder School International
~ Klose Training & Consulting
~ Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy

NALEA supports the Complete/Combined Decongestive Therapy approach to lymphedema management with the goal of preparing well-educated and highly skilled therapists from all eligible medical professions. The formation of NALEA represents an evolution in lymphedema education by providing essential quality controls and safeguards towards maintaining standards and elevating the specialization as Certified Lymphedema Therapist. NALEA stands to guarantee that eligibility requirements are met for further credentialing by LANA and that general treatment skills are maintained throughout the future of each therapist's lymphedema practice.

We welcome you're visit to our newly created website which provides valuable details regarding NALEA.
http://www.lymphedemaeducationassociation.org/

For details related to NALEA's position on current congressional legislation please visit the NALEA website and http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-4662

Best regards,
NALEA Board Members

Advanced Garment Fitting for patients with lymphedema

2011-05-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in fitting patients for compression garments or already do and would like to gain some expert tips, we encourage you to take this course in July. The Dr. Vodder School – International is offering a two day advanced course in conjunction with Juzo and taught by Angela Vollmer, a world-renowned expert in designing and fitting garments for challenging edema patients. Angela brings 35 years of experience to her stimulating courses. She worked for over 20 years at the Foldi and Asdonk clinics in Germany and helped design many of the garments currently in use.

The course is designed to take you beyond the basics of compression garment fitting to gain more satisfying results for your patients. Previous course participants have spoken very highly of their learning experience with Angela. Measuring practice is performed on real patients with arm and leg lymphedema to gain all the tips and tricks that Angela has developed.
Upon completion, garment fitters gain a free listing on the Dr. Vodder School website under the "Find a Garment Fitter" section.

Register now for the only course of its kind offered this year, July 19 & 20 in North America with Angela Vollmer. http://www.vodderschool.com/student/course/details?id=2702

Vodder News now available to read

2011-02-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

Dr. Vodder News contains the latest information from the Dr. Vodder School, www.vodderschool.com/vodder_news
In the February issue, read an interesting article from Prof. Neil Piller about publishing your case studies. The latest book from Dr. Vodder School by Prof. Hildegard Wittlinger: Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymph Drainage; A Practical Guide is also featured. Read also about the upcoming International Lymphedema Framework conference and the newly formed North American Lymphedema Education Association.

MLD 4 week Certification Courses in Victoria, BC

2011-01-25T08:07:00.001-08:00

Our Spring courses are just around the corner. We will be offering Basic, Therapy I and Therapy II & III classes. These courses are available to PTs, PTAs, OTs, OTAs, RNs, and RMTs. The latter require a minimum of 500 hours in a recognized massage therapy program or US National certification. If you have completed 500 hours at a massage school this is sufficient training prerequisite.

The courses will be in Victoria, the beautiful oceanfront capital of British Columbia, Canada.

Basic is the first level of the 4-week training program, involving extensive hands-on work. The basic strokes and their application to each body part are taught. The theory covers anatomy and physiology of the lymph vessel system, connective tissue, effects of MLD and contradictions. Lymphedemas are described with an emphasis on how MLD can affect them.

Therapy I is the second level of the 4-week training program and will teach you the orthopedic applications of MLD as well as learning specialized techniques for the head, abdomen and intercostals. Apart from the new skills and theory you will learn in this class, there will be a thorough review of Basic theory and practical.

Therapy II & III is the final two weeks of the training and will teach you how to apply the skills you have learned in the Basic and Therapy I courses to various pathologies. You will learn many new skills including Combined Decongestive Therapy, which utilizes bandaging, edema strokes, exercises and skin care. While more than half of the course is dedicated to the treatment of lymphedema, many other pathologies are also covered. Dr. Anna Towers, lymhedema specialist from Montreal University Health Centre and associate professor in the faculty of Medicine at McGill University will give the theory lectures.

New Textbook from the Dr. Vodder School

2011-01-18T07:57:00.000-08:00

Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymph Drainage: A Practical Guide has now arrived! It is a comprehensive, one-step reference for students, therapists and practitioners of lymphology, manual medicine or physical therapy.
It features: the latest information on complete decongestive therapy (CDT), including coverage of compression therapy, taping, respiratory treatment and other complementary methods.
It has 142 pages with more than 200 pictures. And the appendix contains an informative history of Dr. Vodder's life and his contributions to the field.
You can buy this now from our website, www.vodderschool.com for the low price of $59.95 (plus applicable taxes and shipping & handling). Get yours today!

Early Intervention for Lymphedema Management

2011-01-13T12:37:00.000-08:00

Early intervention for lymphedema management after breast cancer surgery may involve management of seroma. Dr. Vodder trained therapist, Joyce Bosman, PT has published research she performed with Prof. Neil Piller at Flinders University on the management of seroma using lymph taping. To read the article published in the Journal of Lymphoedema, please click on this link: J. Bosman, N. Piller: Lymph taping and seroma formation post breast cancer. Journal of Lymphoedema, 2010, Vol 5, No 2.

3rd International Lymphedema Framework Conference

2010-12-17T17:47:00.000-08:00

The 3rd International Lymphedema Framework conference is taking place in June 2011 in Toronto, Canada. Abstracts for presentations can be submitted in January and I really encourage all Vodder Therapists to attend and make a presentation. Information on the conference can be found on the ILF website at: www.lympho.org/3rd-ilf-conference.php

Updates on the Vodder website

2010-12-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

Manual Lymph Drainage and Lymphedema information can be viewed on our redesigned website at www.vodderschool.com. Look for the new Expert Garment Fitter location to find an expert in garment fitting for patients with lymphedema. We also have a new section on our website for the Dr. Vodder Spa Therapy training program. Update yourself on the latest news about the Dr. Vodder method and research by visiting www.vodderschool.com/vodder_news on our website.

Vodder News

2010-11-15T09:19:00.000-08:00

The Dr. Vodder School has a newsletter that is available for viewing by anyone interested in our up-to-date activities. Vodder News will carry current articles from therapists, lymphologists, research and information on upcoming events and courses. Primarily this will be focused on the Dr. Vodder method of Manual Lymph Drainage and the world of lymphedema management and lymphology.
We will be sending out reminders through Facebook/Twitter/Blog, so please do register for one of these. You can get to the different site to register for these by going to our website at www.vodderschool.com and clicking on the link on the top right hand corner.

You can find the Vodder News at www.vodderschool.com/vodder_news

Lymphedema Awareness

2010-11-08T08:22:00.000-08:00

Lymphedema awareness will be raised a notch in Toronto on November 20th at the Lymphovenous Association of Ontario conference. Hear speakers from across Canada on topics related to lymphedema. Robert Harris, director of the Dr. Vodder School will give a presentation in the morning titled "from Lymphatics to Lymphedema". Dr. Anna Towers, medical director of the Dr. Vodder School will give a talk on "Lymphedema Management Components". Look for us at the Dr. Vodder School - International booth in the exhibit area where you can find out about the most extensive training available in North America, find certified therapists and read textbooks about lymphedema and the lymphatic system. We will also have various DVDs and CD Roms for sale. For more information about the conference please email: lymphontario@yahoo.com.

Lymphedema Framework Project updates.

2010-08-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

Lymphedema Framework Project updates. The next International Lymphedema Framework conference will be held in Toronto, Canada, June 16 to 18, 2011. It will be held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Toronto. More information will be available soon at www.lympho.org. The American Lymphedema Framework project has released its annual report and it can be found at www.alfp.org.

The lymphedema Framework project is an international initiative which began in the UK several years ago. It is a growing movement around the world to raise awareness, attain best practices for lymphedema care and unite a wide variety of interested parties from patients to health care practitioners, researchers, physicians and industry partners.

An interview on the effects of lymphedema and availability of treatment

2010-06-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

Lymphedema is a physical and emotional problem for many post-surgery cancer patients. Dr. Anna Towers is interviewed on the effects of lymphedema and availability of treatment.
http://www.timescolonist.com/life/index.html, click on When swelling gets out of hand.

Lymphedema compression taken to a new level with Angela Vollmer, orthopedic technician from Freiburg, Germany.

2010-05-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

The Dr. Vodder School held a 2 day "Expert Garment Fitter" course in Victoria, BC in May. In conjunction wit BSN medical, this course teaches the art of garment fitting to fitters, therapists and clinicians already familiar with garment fitting. The response from participants was extremely positive and two half days of the course were spent with lymphedema patients learning all the tricks and ways to maximize fitting the perfect garment. Participants from across Canada and Washington State included fitters, occupational therapists, nurses and lymphedema therapists. It is hoped to repeat this class next year.

MLD/CDT course forms now available online

2010-04-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

We are slowly coming into the 21st Century!!

We have recently put together application forms that can be filled out on line and sent by email. All you have to do is fill out the application online and simply hit the Submit button. It will be sent directly to me via email.

This will help out all of those who don't have a fax machine or no longer use one. Also save money on stamps for those who like to pay by credit card! If you prefer to send check, you can print off the completed form and mail it to us.

The forms can be found on our website under the course you are interested in but please remember these are only available for the courses that are organized by the Dr. Vodder School International. For courses organized by others, please contact them directly for application forms.

2010-04-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

Lecture with demonstration to the 9th Congress of the German Society for Aesthetic Medicine and Related Fields, 29 and 30 May, 1964 - Regensburg.

The Vodder method of lymph drainage.

A new chirotherapeutic treatment method for aesthetic, prophylactic and curative purposes.

By E. Vodder, Copenhagen

It is a particular pleasure to present our new chirotherapeutic treatment method, lymph drainage for aesthetic, prophylactic and curative purposes, at this distinguished meeting of colleagues and specialists. "Lymphatic drainage" is a method whereby the lymphatic system is stimulated by means of a special form of massage that eliminates fluid build-up and speeds up fluid circulation. The lymph drainage method can be viewed as an all embracing, effective method of regeneration, supplemented by breathing and relaxation exercises, diet and other measures. The drainage movements not only work on the water-rich connective tissue but also have a deep action of all of the other tissues of the body, such as lymph and other secretions. The term 'lymph' covers both the nutrient fluid supplied to the cells (interstitial lymph) but also the fluid in the billions of cells, the protoplasm, that comprise half of the lymph fluid, and the waste substances leaving the cells and draining away via the lymph channels. We are able to drain approximately 50 to 60% of the bodily fluids. "These different fluids, which have different names, are separated from each other only by thin membranes and are very difficult to differentiate by chemical analysis." (Prof. Rusznyak)

Interest in the previously almost unknown lymph system as a basis for treatment has grown and grown, to the point where it should now be regarded as a new specialist area of "lymphology". We are especially grateful here to Dr. Nuernbergk of Frankfurt, who was the first German surgeon to grasp intuitively the scientific value of the lymph drainage method.

As you will recall, Alexis Carrel won the Nobel Prize for the culture of living cells in his chicken heart experiment with renewal of lymph fluid. It is on the findings that my method is based.

Both lymph vessels and blood vessels serve the same purpose: constantly to maintain the composition and volumes of fluid within the body. Every organ, every tissue, takes what it needs from the blood plasma passing through the walls of the capillaries and uses it to build the lymph environment specific to the relevant organ tissue. Blood vessels do not communicate directly at any point with functioning organ tissues within the organism. Blood capillaries and organ parenchyma are always separated by connective tissue cells. Between the cells, paracapillary circulation occurs and the tissue lymph here, as indeed throughout the body, is the medium by which transport between cells and capillaries takes place. The connective tissue system is a vast reservoir of body fluids, always at the ready to supply glands and other functional organs with water.

The human body, like all living beings, should be viewed as a whole in which all of the individual parts and organs are connected through the lymph. We know that lymph supplies the body with the flow of fluid that it needs in order to survive. All of the chemical processes in the cells are possible only because the lymph flow passes through the cell; faster the flow removes the decomposition products, the more active the metabolism and the better the conditions of life. Lymph drainage offers a completely different anatomical and physiological basis for treatment in this respect. The aim of drainage is to remove and renew the tissue fluid, allowing new nutrients to come in and new resistance to be built up. This form of drainage supports, as effectively as possible, the body's own natural endeavours to cleanse itself.

However, the lymph tissue works not only as a cleansing, protective and defensive system, but also as a nutrient tissue, because the lymphocytes contribute new building materials, such as trophocytes, stems cells, etc., to the tissue metabolism. The daily task of producing and preparing large quantities of nucleic acid-rich lymphocytes in order to build new and growing tissue and for reconstructive processes in colossal.

When we were sent Dr. Zilch's valuable book "Lymphsystem und Lymphatismus" (Lymph system and Lymphatism) in the autumn of 1963, we were very pleasantly surprised and astounded to learn that many German doctors and scientists are concentrating on research into the almost unknown lymph system and the main disease group: lymphatism.

In one of 43 essays in the books, Dr. Gruner calls on practitioners, including the small town specialist who is able to observe his patients over decades, to help put together an overall picture. The general and local symptoms attributed to lymphatic manifestations are unfortunately increasing, with continually recurring infections and catarrh.

Dr. Asdonk, a GP in Essen, has so many positive experiences with the method in the course of a year that he trained up a second assistant. His experiences relate to eczema, chronic inflammatory processes and traumatic oedema, allergies and osteopathies.

We have conducted a number of experiments with Dr. V. Kolitshcer, in Zell am See. He took measurements with an electronic acupuncture device and with an oscillograph by Prof. Gesenius' method before and after treatment, which clearly showed a more even flow of lymph and in particular, a reduced burden on the diseased organ.

A wealth of experience gained in clinical work at the bedside and by the practical activity with thousands of out-patients in many countries has confirmed out theories. There may not be a single uniform treatment for lymphatism, but I am convinced that the lymph drainage method, correctly applied, represents a universal treatment which could be used as the basis for all lymph therapy, for aesthetic, prophylactic and curative purposes.

(Followed by a brief demonstration of head treatment and leg treatment with explanations)

Ref: Vodder, E (1965) The Vodder method of lymph drainage. A new chirotherapeutic treatment method for aesthetic, prophylactic and curative purposes. Aesthet.Medizin. 14 (6), 190-1.
Translated in November 2004 by Integrated Language Services, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.

Also posted at http://www.vodderschool.com/current_articles

2010-04-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

International Lymphedema Framework chooses Toronto in Canada for its third conference in the Spring of 2011. The decision was made at the March meeting in Brighton, England and we are delighted that Canada will host this important event. For more information on the Lymphedema Framework, visit: http://www.lympho.org/.

Congratulations to Professor Wittlinger

2010-04-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Professor Hildegard Wittlinger, co-founder of the Dr. Vodder Academy-Austria, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday. For those who know her, Professor Wittlinger has maintained a very high standard of teaching and is passionate about her work. She was the first to bring Manual Lymph Drainage to North America in 1972 and has inspired thousands of therapists around the world to use MLD in patient care. Professor Wittlinger will again be in North America in May at the Dr. Vodder School advanced course for our certified therapists.

Manual Lymph Drainage Research

2010-03-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

Dr. Vodder trained therapist Sung Joong Kim, PhD, PT of South Korea has recently had his research on the effects of MLD on cardiac autonomic tone published. In conclussion, Kim states; "These results suggest that MLD could help reduce stress and improve autonomic function by increasing HRV (heart rate variability) and parasympathetic activity."

Therapists trained by the Dr. Vodder School learn the original method of Manual Lymph Drainage and we develop highly skilled therapists in our 4-week training program (www.vodderschool.com). The results of his research are an affirmation of the quality skills our therapists develop.

S. J. Kim: Effects of Manual Lymph Drainage on Cardiac Autonomic Tone. International Journal of Neuroscience, 2009; 119:1105-1117