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International Certification in the Dr Vodder Method of Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)
Specialty post-graduate courses for Health and Beauty Professionals.
Eligibility and assessment criteria apply, Graduates are awarded a Certificate of Achievement by Dr Vodder Schools International.
Become and Accredited Vodder Therapist
Applied MLD
For skeletal-muscular, digestive, respiratory, autoimmune and neurological conditions, acute and chronic pain and wound healing.
MLD & Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT)
Chronic oedema management including lymphoedema, phleboedema and lipoedema. ALPP-eligible qualification in all six competency standards.
Advanced Aestheticians
For everything skin-related; dermatological conditions, stretch marks, skin toning, scar reduction, and post-surgical oedema after invasive cosmetic procedures.
All courses are taught by Accredited Dr Vodder School Instructors. Meet the faculty.
Dr Vodder Schools International / Dr Vodder Akademie International
Courses are those of the Dr Vodder Akademie International (DVAI) with Certificates issued by Dr Vodder Schools International (DVSI) and are open to appropriately qualified Health and Beauty Professionals. Graduate Practitioners have demonstrated competence in treatment planning, technique application and sequencing, and clinical reasoning.
View the Prospectus for each Certificate
Eligibility
Entry criteria are those of the DVAI and may not reflect local regulations or guidelines governing the scope of practice of an individual Practitioner. Health and Beauty Professionals undertaking post-graduate Certificates in Dr Vodder’s MLD should consider their substantive scope of practice when applying the techniques learned in a clinical setting.
Level 1 is open to Health and Beauty Professionals who meet the minimum eligibility requirements, including but not limited to
Therapist Courses (Level 1, 2 & 3)
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Diploma in Remedial Massage or equivalent
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AHPRA PT, OT, RN, etc
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Medical Practitioner
Advanced Aesthetician Courses (Level 1, Adv Neck & Face, Adv Body)
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Dermal Clinician
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Certificate IV in Massage or Beauty Therapy
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Diploma in Aromatherapy
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All Practitioners eligible for the Therapist Courses
You will be required to upload a copy of your eligible qualifications during the initial registration process. Current students in an eligible training program may enrol and study concurrently. Not sure if you are eligible? Request a qualification check by sending your certificate, diploma or degree to qualifications@movinglymph.com.au
Required Reading
All Levels:
Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymph Drainage, A Practical Guide. Hildegard Wittlinger, Dieter Wittlinger, Andreas Wittlinger, Maria Wittlinger
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Not provided with registration.
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Available from the publisher: https://shop.thieme.de/en/Dr.-Vodder-s-Manual-Lymph-Drainage/9783132578746
Level 3:
Lymphoedema-Diagnosis and Therapy, Edited by Horst Weissleder and Christian Schuchhardt
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Currently out of print, second-hand copies can be found online.
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A PDF of the required sections is provided with course registration.
Attendance, Participation, and Assessments
For all courses, a 70% pass in online theoretical exams, and 100% attendance in the practical sessions are required. There are practical assessments on technique application and sequencing, and theoretical, treatment planning and clinical reasoning assessments may be in practical, written or oral formats. See the relevant course Prospectus for more information.
Vodder Practitioner Certification
The Level 1 Course is the same for each Certificate. This course teaches the underpinning knowledge, and specific skin and tissue manipulations necessary to perform the original Dr Vodder Method of Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD), without application to any pathological states.
It can be taken alone, allowing time to practice between levels, however, Therapists should be aware that the Level 1 course material does not cover adaptation or application to any pathologies and the next Level should be attended within 6 – 12 months to avoid the necessity to repeat the Level 1 Practical.
The Level 1 Course is included when enrolling in your first Dr Vodder Certificate, and once you have graduated as an Applied MLD, Lymphoedema, or Adv Aesthetician Practitioner you need not repeat this Level. When returning for further Certification please select ‘Returning Therapist’ during the registration process.
Student and Therapist Agreements
Graduates should consider their professional scope of practice and any restrictions to the application of MLD that may limit clinical use. For example, podiatrists who train in lymphoedema management are limited to treating only lower extremity lymphoedema, even though they will learn upper limb treatments during the course.
Where appropriate, Dr Vodder Certification may extend the scope of practice of graduates to include conditions not included in their undergraduate training. Graduates are responsible for practicing MLD within local legislative and professional regulations and guidelines, and are advised to notify their indemnity insurer of the addition of MLD to their clinical practice.
View DVSI Student and Therapist Agreements
Dr Vodder Schools International / Dr Vodder Akademie International
Courses are those of the Dr Vodder Akademie International (DVAI) with Certificates issued by Dr Vodder Schools International (DVSI), and are open to appropriately qualified Health and Beauty Professionals.
Participants receive training in the adaptation, application, and clinical reasoning required to perform skilled and effective MLD for pathologies within the scope of each Certificate. Graduates have demonstrated competence in treatment planning and technique application.
This course is a game changer. Reading skin and tissue in a different way to how I have ever worked before in my many years as a therapist is giving me skills that I know will have many varied applications.
- Shelley Gray
I am impressed and amazed by the effect of MLD on my own body. As a physician learning the theory I didn’t think it would be effective, but I am truly amazed.
- Jonalisa Tapumanaia
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria are those of the DVAI and may not reflect local regulations or guidelines governing the scope of practice of an individual Practitioner. Health and Beauty Professionals undertaking post-graduate Certificates in the Dr Vodder Method should consider their scope of practice when applying the techniques learned in a clinical setting.
Level 1 is open to Health and Beauty Professionals who meet the minimum eligibility requirements, including but not limited to
Therapist Courses (Level 2 & 3)
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Diploma in Remedial Massage or equivalent
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AHPRA PT, OT, RN, etc
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Medical Practitioner
Advanced Aesthetician Courses
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Dermal Clinician
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Certificate IV in Massage or Beauty Therapy
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Diploma in Aromatherapy
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All Practitioners who are eligible for the Therapist Courses
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Dr Vodder Certificates
Regardless of which Certificate you are studying, everything begins with Level 1 which teaches the underpinning knowledge, and specific skin and tissue manipulations necessary to perform the original Dr Vodder Method of Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD).
The Level 1 course material does not cover adaptation or application to any pathologies and attendees are not assessed for competency in the manual techniques. Level 1 Graduates can and should practice MLD whenever possible within a limited range of applications until a Certificate Level is completed.
Levels 1 and 3 together meet the Lymphoedema training program requirements of the Australasian Lymphology Association Accredited Lymphoedema Practioner Program.
This course teaches the broadest range of applications of all the Dr Vodder Certificates including SKM, respiratory, digestive, autoimmune and neurological issues.
Applied MLD offers; pain free treatment for everything from Bell’s Palsy to plantar fasciitis, lasting resolution of trigger points and encapsulitis to clarity after the fog of long COVID, improved digestion, and symptomatic relief in most chronic conditions.
Still the International Gold Standard in Lymphoedema Management, this is the most comprehensive Lymphoedema Training Program in Australasia. Advanced Theory sessions deliver in-depth lymphology, oedema assessment and treatment strategies. The intensively hands-on practical sessions teach the adaptation and application of MLD to all chronic oedema, and the skills in compression bandaging and garment prescription, lymphatic exercise and skin care.
Find a Dr Vodder Course in your location
30 hours Instructor-guided home-study
A comprehensive course designed and structured around six, online tutorial meetings, to provide you with the foundational knowledge and understanding required to excel in the original Dr Vodder method.
Course Description
The Level 1 Theory Program at Moving Lymph Online is a deep dive into the fascinating lymphatic system, the physiological effects of MLD, and an introduction to the formation and classification of post-surgical and chronic oedemas.
Weekly course work is completed during self-directed home-study, and weekly meetings with your Level 1 Instructor ensure clarity and confidence in your learning experience.
Course material centers around the Dr Vodder Academy International lectures which are available in 13 languages, and the textbook which is available in e-text, PDF or hard copy formats.
It is recommended to allow minimum of four hours per week to study the material and prepare for the weekly tutorial.
An Instructor-led programme begins seven weeks before each Level 1 Practical and can be taken for theoretical understanding alone without joining a Practical Certificate. In this instance, Certificates of Completion are issued by Moving Lymph Online.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will gain;
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An historical and contemporary awareness of the development and use of MLD
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Underpinning knowledge in the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the human lymphatic system and the major pathways of lymphatic drainage
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Awareness of the structure and properties of connective tissue with relevance in the application of MLD
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An introduction to the types of oedema and disorders which may benefit from the application of MLD
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An introduction of the physiological effects of MLD in various body systems, and the main contraindications to MLD
Required Reading
A comprehensive text describing lymphatic anatomy and physiology, the Dr Vodder techniques, and their therapeutic application.
Material from Parts I & II are needed for the Level 1 theory module, and Part III describes the basic and special techniques of the Dr Vodder Method.
Part IV places MLD in the context of decongestive therapy and Part V is a description of the life of Dr Vodder and the development of this phenomenal technique.
Advanced Neck & Face classes develop the refined hand skills required to treat delicate facial issues such as rosacea, and promote healing and minimise scarring after cosmetic procedures.
30-hours Online Theory
4-days Hands-on PracticalLevel 1 - All Certificates
For all Health Professionals and Beauty Therapists.
4-days Hands-on Practical
12-months Online MentoringLevel 2 - Applied MLD
For Remedial Therapists and Allied Health Professionals
2-days Advanced Theory
8-days Hands-on Practical
12-months Online MentoringAdvanced Neck & Face
2.5-days Hands-on Practical
12-months Online MentoringAdvanced Aesthetician
For Beauty Therapists and Health Professionals.
Advanced Body
4-days Hands-on Practical
12-months Online MentoringAdvanced Body covers everything below the neck including psoriasis, post-partum stretch marks, skin toning after liposuction, breast augmentation, fat transfers and body-lift surgeries. Everything heals better with MLD.
Level 3 - MLD & CDT (Lymphoedema)
For Allied Health Professionals, Medical Practitioners and Remedial Therapists.
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An Initial Registration Fee of $50 is collected when you enrol. Please have a copy of your eligible qualification ready to upload during registration. Once your eligibility to attend has been verified, the $50 will be credited toward your remaining course fees. If eligibility cannot be established you will not be enrolled and a refund of $25 will be made.
Course Confirmation date:
The Confirmation Date is 7 weeks prior to commencement of each Practical Course. Please consider whether the course has been confirmed before making irreversible travel plans.
Transferring or withdrawing from a course:
If you transfer between courses or withdraw before the confirmation date a full refund will be made less the non-refundable components as listed above.
If you withdraw after the confirmation date, and more than 14-days before the start of the Practical, a partial refund can be made.
No refunds are made for withdrawal within 14-days of the course commencement; however, discretion refunds may be made in exceptional circumstances.
Payment Plans
Payment Plans are offered on all courses where the final Payment can be made not later than 14 days before the Course start date. Participants may change their Payment Plan to take advantage of early payment discounts. The balance of any course fees will then be due on the early bird date.
Moving Lymph Registration and Cancellation Policy at a Glance
Course fees are composed of multiple refundable and non-refundable components. Online Course components are generally not refundable. Full or partial refunds on Practical fees may be made as determined by the Course Confirmation Date.
