Learn more about lymphedema in this article. The following information and links have been collected over the years and are provided as a resource to clients and other practitioners.
“Start where you are. Use what you have.
Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe
Index of Lymphedema Resources
Additional Resources for Lymphedema
Books for Lymph Stasis
Clinical Trials for Lymphedema
COVID and Lymphedema
Continuing Education for Lymphedema
Exercise & Movement for Lymph Stasis
Finding Lymphedema Practitioners — Ways to Search for Physicians
Finding Lymphedema Practitioners — Ways to Search for Therapists
Nutrition for Lymph Stasis
Patient Registries for Lymphedema
Prescription Savings
Printable Materials for Lymphedema
Supplements to Assist Lymph Stasis
Supplies for Lymph Stasis
Videos About Lymphedema
More About Lymphedema
Additional Resources for Lymphedema
The websites listed below are excellent ways to learn about lymphedema and offer resources for additional information about treatment.
American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine
American Lymphedema Association
American Lymphedema Framework Project
American Vein and Lymphatic Society
Belgian Lymphoedema Framework
British Columbia Lymphedema Association
Brylan’s Feat Foundation
Bulgarian Lymphedema Framework
Canadian Lymphedema Network
Danish Lymphoedema Framework
Dutch Lymphoedema Framework
India Lymphedema Foundation
International Lymphoedema Framework
International Lymphoedema Framework Japan
Italian Lymphoedema Framework
Lighthouse Lymphedema Network
Live Today Foundation
Lymph Notes
Lymphatic Education & Research Network Resource Center
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
Lymphedema Association of Ontario
The Lymphie Life
Lymphoedema Network Wales
Lymphoedema Support Network
Lymphology Association of North America
National Commission on Lymphatic Diseases
National Lymphoedema Framework Croatia
National Lymphoedema Framework Ireland
National Lymphedema Network
Ninjas Fighting Lymphedema Foundation
Partenariat Français du Lymphoedème
Saudi Arabia Lymphoedema Framework
Swiss Lymphoedema Framework
Turkish Lymphedema Association
Clinical Trials for Lymphedema
There are several ways to search for clinical trials.
Clinical Trials and Studies | Lymphatic Education & Research Network
Lymphedema Trials | Clinical Trials.gov
Lymphedema Trials | Good Clinical Practice Network
Continuing Education for Lymphedema
Anatomy, Lymphatic System StatPearls | National Institutes of Health
Lymphedema StatPearls | National Institutes of Health
COVID and Lymphedema
Research
Aimo, C., Mariotti, E., Corra, A., et al. (2022). Lymphedema of the arm after COVID-19 vaccination in a patient with hidden breast cancer and paraneoplastic dermatomyositis. Vaccines.
Breckwoldt, T., Niggemann, P., Grunherz, L., et al. (2024). Arm lymphedema after vascularized lymph node harvest following Covid-19 vaccination. Case Reports in Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery.
Chung, J., Sohn, S., Yoo, J., et al. (2021). Transient lower extremity lymphedema following COVID-19 vaccination: A case report. Medicine.
Hosseinzadeh, A., Ebrahimi, K., Shahriarirad, et al. (2022). Lower limb lymphedema and cellulitis as a complication of COVID-19 vaccine: A case report. Clinical Case Reports.
Juhel, B., Brunelle, C., Bernstein, M., et al. (2023). Side effects of COVID-19 vaccinations in patients treated for breast cancer. Clinical and Experimental Medicine.
Jungorcid, J., & Choorcid, H. (2025). Unilateral lower extremity lymphedema followed by COVID-19 vaccination in patients with cervical cancer history: Two case reports. Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science.
Kronert, C., Koch, A., Schonlebe, J., et al. (2024). Lymphedema after COVID-19 vaccination: Two case reports. CosmoDerma.
Okazaki, T., Matashiro, M., Kodama, et al. (2022). Frequent onsets of cellulitis in lower limbs with lymphedema following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. Vaccines.
Pearce, J., Shareef, N., Ho, B., et al. (2022). P46: A case series of COVID-19 vaccination and lymphatic dysfunction. British Journal of Dermatology.
Sasa, S., Inoue, H., Inui, T., et al. (2022). Axillary lymphangioma that developed following COVID-19 vaccination: A case report. Surgical Case Reports.
Tang, C., & Chua, W. (2023). Ipsilateral upper-limb lymphedema after COVID-19 vaccine booster. Clinical Nuclear Medicine.
Finding Lymphedema Practitioners
Ways to Search for Physicians
There are several methods to use to look for a physician or other practitioners who are knowledgeable about diagnosing or treating lymphedema. Those specialties which usually are good places to look are: cardiologists, vascular/vein doctors, dermatologists and lymphedema clinics.
The American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine offers a physician locator for Certified Vein Specialists.
The American Vein and Lymphatic Society (formerly the American College of Phlebology) offers a member locator.
Ways to Search for Therapists
The Lipedema Foundation offers tips for finding a lipedema specialist and includes a provider directory for therapists.
The Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) certifies therapists and offers a therapist locator.
The National Lymphedema Network established the NLN Expert Clinician designation in 2021 to elevate the standards of therapeutic care being provided to patients with lymphatic diseases.
You can also use the resource map at the American Lymphedema Framework Project to locate therapists in your area.
The Lighthouse Lymphedema Network offers a therapist locator on its site for the states of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) also offers tips to find a lymphedema therapist.
Schools for Therapists
There are several different schools and methods of instruction in lymphatic drainage. Use the links below to locate a therapist near you.
The schools listed below provide the type of in-person training and classroom hours which are required in order to work with lipedema and lymphedema patients. Please note that there are many classes and schools which advertise manual lymphatic drainage but do not offer the in-depth coursework required to work with patients with lymphatic dysfunction.
Academy of Lymphatic Studies (ACOLS)
Casley-Smith International
Chikly Institute
Klose Training
LymphEd
Monarch Consulting and Education
Norton School
Vodder School
About Certified Lymphedema Therapists
There is no single criteria that defines and certifies a “certified lymphedema therapist” (CLT). The National Lymphedema Network (NLN) and the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) are two organizations which have recommended minimum standards for competency, including 128-135 hours of training in decongestive therapy and hands-on experience with lymphedema patients. LANA also recommends courses in relevant lymphatic network-focused anatomy and physiology and hands-on instruction. The aspiring lymphedema therapist may take the Clinical Lymphedema Therapist-LANA (CLT-LANA) exam upon completion of course work, but LANA certification is not required to practice lymphedema therapy.
Not only is LANA certification not required for lymphedema therapist, it does not assure the quality of a therapist’s work — that goes back to the quality of the school which the therapist attended. It’s worth mentioning here that Klose Training has been one of the schools to “set the bar” in graduating good therapists — the content of their course has not changed, and the curriculum is stronger than before. However, due to the change in ratio of online to in-person hours, graduates of Klose’s lymphedema certification course no longer qualify to sit for the CLT-LANA exam, because of this, considering only LANA-certified therapists could be a detriment to receiving quality care.
A certified lymphedema therapist specializes in the treatment of lymphedema — he or she may be a doctor, nurse, or physical, occupational or massage therapist. Practitioners who specialize in lymphedema therapy are adept at manual decongestive therapy — the form of specialized massage used to stimulate lymph drainage in affected areas of the body — and at applying compression wraps.
About Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapists
and Applied MLD Therapists
Klose Training offers a professional credential as a Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist (CMLDT). Instruction in anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system is presented, and manual lymph drainage (MLD) treatment sequences are demonstrated and practiced. Treatment for mild, medically-uncomplicated upper and lower extremity lymphedema is taught as well as treating traumatic and post-surgical edema.
The Vodder School also training for as an Applied MLD Therapist. Clinical indications for MLD are taught for patients with a functional lymph vessel system. Successful completion of Levels 1 and 2 enables certification in Applied MLD. This certification replaces the Clinical Wellness Therapist, which is a therapist trained in MLD; this course is no longer offered as of 2020.
Please note that the Academy of Lymphatic Studies offers a course in manual lymph drainage certification (MLD-C), but this course does not train therapists to treat patients with lymphedema.
Lymphology Training Programs (n.d.). Lymphology Association of North America.
What is a lymphedema therapist and how can one help you? (n.d.). Lymphedema Products.
Alternatives in Lymph Drainage
Alternatives in Lymph Drainage
An alternative to MLD is reflexology lymph drainage (RLD). RLD is beneficial for those without insurance. The cost to access MLD through occupational and physical therapy departments is expensive, and the option of RLD is much more affordable. RLD is a good alternative for those wanting to remain dressed during treatments.
There are many diagnosed with lipedema who find that MLD does not alleviate their swelling, and RLD provides an alternative to manual lymph drainage. Not only can RLD reflexology sometimes relieve the symptoms of swelling, it can also provide a boost in health by stimulating reflex points and offering relief for many symptoms and conditions, including aches and pains, arthritis, asthma, eczema, edema, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, headaches, muscular tension, postoperative recovery, premenstrual syndrome, and sinus problems. Approved practitioners of RLD can be found through the RLD website.
Patient Registries for Lymphedema
Global Registry for Lymphatic Diseases | Lymphatic Education & Research Network
International Lymphatic Disease and Lymphedema Patient Registry and Biorepository | Stanford Medicine
Printable Materials for Lymphedema
10 Things I’d Like my Family and Friends to Know About Lymphedema PDF | Lymphatic Education & Research Network
10 Things Individuals With Lymphedema Need to Know About Fibrosis PDF | Lymphatic Education & Research Network
Educational Materials & Handouts | Lymphedema Project
Guide to Blogs About Lymphedema and Lymphatic Diseases PDF | Lymphatic Education & Research Network
Supplies for Lymphedema
Find a Supplier | Lymphedema Project
Videos About Lymphedema
Juzo Academy
Lymphatic Education & Research Network Symposium Series
More About Lymphedema
Benefits of lymphatic drainage massage | Hypervibe
Biomarker for lipedema, other lymphatic diseases discovered | Stanford Medicine
Detox your lymphatic system with these 20 tricks | Medical News
Diagnosis of lymphedema | Jobst LymphCare
Differences between lipedema and lymphedema | Lymphedema Blog
Do vibration plates help with swelling? | Hypervibe
Educational Materials & Handouts | Lymphedema Project
Ice baths and lymphedema: Exploring potential benefits | Academy of Lymphatic Studies
Identifying fibrosis in every stage of lymphedema | Lymphatic Network
Lymphedema and airline travel | Lymphedema Blog
Lipedema versus lymphedema: Differences and key takeaways | Hypervibe
Lipedema vs lymphedema: What to know to protect your limbs | Northwell Health
Living with lymphedema in legs | Jean LaMantia RD
Lymphatic drainage massage | Real Bodywork
Lymphatic system anatomy | Kenhub
Lymphatic Yoga® | Edely Wallace
Lymphedema | Mayo Clinic
Lymphedema | Stanford Medicine
Lymphedema | Susan Komen
Lymphedema and blood pressure | Jean LaMantia RD
Lymphedema and lipedema — Indications, contraindications and risk factors SLIDES | 2018 Michigan Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference
Lymphedema versus lipedema: Similar but different | Cleveland Clinic
Lymphorrhea | Jean LaMantia RD
Medicines and selenium supplements for lymphedema | Jean LaMantia RD
Symptom management guidelines: Lymphedema | British Columbia Provincial Health Services Authority
Top 3 exercises for leg lymphedema: A comprehensive guide to lymphatic detox | Rosa’s Natural Healing Center
Understanding lymphedema | Lympha Press
Understanding lymphedema | New York State Department of Health
What you need to know about pressotherapy | Healthline