Self-test: Is the "Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Cert.)" course right for me?
Does working as a lymphatic drainage therapist meet your expectations and needs? Take the free and non-binding self-test now and find out whether you are on the right path with the part-time course leading to a "school certificate".
What does the day-to-day work of lymphatic drainage therapists look like?
Lymphatic drainage therapists often have their own practice or work in fitness centers, wellness hotels or massage practices. They treat people who suffer from swelling of the lymphatic vessels after operations or accidents, or people who hope that strengthening the lymphatic system will alleviate their complaints such as migraines, digestive problems or venous disorders. Lymphatic drainage treatment can also be used as a preventative measure to help reduce stress and strengthen the immune system.
Treatment usually begins with a preliminary consultation to determine the patient's general health situation, current complaints and wishes. The actual treatment then takes place while the patient is lying down and consists of a finely dosed massage of the subcutaneous tissue to stimulate lymphatic drainage. The removal of tissue fluid is supported with various pumping, rotating and circular movements. If indicated, the decongestive effect is prolonged and intensified by subsequent bandaging.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a lymphatic drainage therapist?
Great!
Yes, if you like the actual job, you can assume that you are on the right track. The next question is what type of training is right for you to acquire the relevant skills.
If you don't like all the activities, think in detail about what exactly you would and wouldn't like about them.
Then look in related fields to see if you can find something that better suits your interests. For example:
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other training opportunities. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Would you like to find your vocation first? OurGuide "Finding your own calling"can support you in this.
Target group and skills: Who is the manual lymph drainage training course suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The manual lymphatic drainage training course with a "school certificate" is aimed at the following target groups:
- Professionals with a basic medical profession (e.g. beautician EFZ)
- Alternative practitioners, body therapists
- Physiotherapists
The following qualities are required for successful work as a lymphatic drainage therapist:
- Sense of hygiene, cleanliness and order
- Craftsmanship
- Enjoy dealing with people
- No fear of contact
- Medical interest
- Empathy and sensitivity
- Sense of responsibility
- Tolerance
- If you have your own practice: economic skills to run your own business
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great! To the next step in the self-test.
- Are you already self-employed and/or do you have broad and in-depth knowledge of manual lymphatic drainage massage? Would you like to treat people who have complaints? Then you probably belong to the target group for the following qualifications:
- OdA KT industry certificate (there are various recognizedMethodssuch as "fascia therapy" or "reflex zone therapy")
- Medical masseur / medical masseuse with federal certificate (BP)
- Complementary therapist with federal diploma (HFP)
- Physiotherapist (FH)
- Occupational therapist (FH)
- If you do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you will not be happy in this job. Look out for further training opportunities that offer a technical specialization that better suits your skills.
- If you are unsure whether you are suited to such a job, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or career advisor. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Prerequisites for admission to manual lymph drainage training:
As a rule, manual lymphatic drainage training is open to all interested persons. No specific previous training or professional experience is required.
Some schools require the following points for admission:
- Age of majority
- Apprenticeship qualification with federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or several years of professional experience
- Sufficient knowledge of German
Good to know:
As there are no protected professional designations or titles in the field of lymphatic drainage, it is important to prove your own seriousness and professional competence in some other way. This is usually done by registering with the ASCA and/or the EMR and/or by becoming a member of an association.
- Admission to the Swiss Specialist Association for Manual Lymphatic Drainage (SFML) is on application if the requirements profile corresponds to the EMR (Experience Medicine Register). Here you will find allInfo.
- For inclusion in the ASCA (Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine) and/or EMR register, at least 150 hours of basic knowledge (conventional medical knowledge / "medical basics") and at least 150 hours of specialist training are required.
Input: Why is registration in the ASCA and/or EMR registry important?
Both the ASCA and the EMR are quality labels for activities in complementary medicine. They both maintain a so-called list of methods, which specifies how many hours of basic medical training and specialist training (method) must be completed in order to be registered with the ASCA and/or EMR.
Many health insurance companies are based on the ASCA and EMR. This means that therapists who are registered with the ASCA and/or EMR can often work in a way that is recognized by health insurance companies. But beware! This is not always the case.
More and more health insurance companies are demanding an industry certificate or a federal diploma from professional organizations (OdA AM, OdA KT, OdA MM, ODA ARTECURA, Swiss Association of Osteopaths FSO-SVO) in order to be able to work in a way that is recognized by health insurance companies. This will continue to increase in the future.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great! You can start your training at the earliest possible date.
- If you are not yet of legal age, please ask the school. You may simply have to have reached the age of majority by the time you complete the course and can therefore start the manual lymphatic drainage training even if you are not yet of legal age at that time.
- If you do not have the required knowledge of German, then take thePlacement test.Hereyou will find schools with suitable German courses.
- If you do not have a basic vocational qualification with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ), then look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to obtain the EFZ or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you have too little or no (relevant) professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs where you can gain experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If someone in your private or professional environment is already working in the field of lymphatic drainage, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you lack the required basic medical hours to be placed on the ASCA and/or EMR registry, then make them up.Hereyou will find corresponding offers and suitable providers.
- If you are not yet of legal age, please ask the school. You may simply have to have reached the age of majority by the time you complete the course and can therefore start the manual lymphatic drainage training even if you are not yet of legal age at that time.
- If you do not have the required knowledge of German, then take thePlacement test.Hereyou will find schools with suitable German courses.
- If you do not have a basic vocational qualification with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ), then look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to obtain the EFZ or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you have too little or no (relevant) professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs where you can gain experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If someone in your private or professional environment is already working in the field of lymphatic drainage, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you lack the required basic medical hours to be placed on the ASCA and/or EMR registry, then make them up.Hereyou will find corresponding offers and suitable providers.
Subject matter and content of the training
The subject matter of a manual lymph drainage training course is determined independently by the schools; this can therefore vary.
The following topics are often covered in the course:
- Basics of manual lymphatic drainage (origin, history and development)
- Anatomy and physiology as well as diseases (muscle theory, skin structure and skin functions, lymphatic vessels, edema, etc.)
- Principles, concepts, effect and purpose of the treatment (stimulation of the lymph vessels, removal of excess tissue fluid, stimulation of the immune system, etc.).
- Treatment structure (anamnesis, diagnostics, communication)
- Massage techniques (grip types, massage products, etc.)
- Indicators, contraindicators and limits of treatment
Note: Courses that also include the "Medical Basics" (as a prerequisite for admission to the ASCA and/or EMR register) usually deal with these in a separate module.
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the lymphatic drainage massage training course, take a look at other training and further education courses in related areas. You may find a course that suits you better.
For example:
Various forms of massage
- Acupressure (Cert.)
- Acupuncture massage (certified)
- Foot reflexology (certified)
- Hot stone massage (certified)
- Meridian massage (cert.)
- Reflexology (certified)
Other manual and energetic therapy methods
Obviously the typical subject areas of manual lymph drainage training are not your thing. Take a look at other training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
How much a manual lymphatic drainage course costs is determined by the schools themselves. The costs can therefore vary from provider to provider.
You can expect the following costs for a part-time specialist course lasting between 5 and 12 months:
- Course feesBetween CHF 4950.- and CHF 9000.-, which usually also includes theExamination feeincluded.
Note: There are also so-called introductory or in-depth courses that last a few days and cost less: between CHF 710 and CHF 3000.
But be careful with introductory courses if you want to register with the ASCA and/or the EMR! You may not be able to complete the required 150 hours of specialist training.
- Some providers requireExtra costsfor
- Teaching aids
- Training documents
Please contact the provider of your choice directly for information on possible extra costs.
Question 5:
Are you able to pay for the course?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
- Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Course structure, duration of study, training options, teaching format and learning effort
- StructureManual lymphatic drainage training is generally designed to be part-time and has a modular structure. This means that each module is taken and completed individually.
- DurationThe duration of specialist courses in the field of lymphatic drainage varies greatly and depends on the provider, range and level: As a rule, courses last between five and twelve months.
- VariantsWhen the lessons take place is decided by the schools themselves. Some courses offer lessons two days a week and on selected Saturdays. Others only offer lessons one day a week. Others also offer intensive variants.
- Teaching formatManual lymphatic drainage training generally takes place in face-to-face classes. Depending on the situation, theory lessons can be offered in online lessons or hybrid lessons.
- Learning effort: You should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: It often helps to organize yourself into study groups. It also makes sense to stick with it right from the start and schedule fixed study times. Good learning effects can be achieved by creating summaries and mind maps. Flashcard systems help with memorization. There are many tools and ideas to make learning easier. You can obtain the guide "The personal learning strategy" free of charge if you register with a school via Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
If you do not have that much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the training over more than the specified time.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
Those who have successfully passed all modules of the manual lymph drainage training course are admitted to the final examination.
As a rule, the final examination consists of two parts: a theoretical and a practical part. In the practical part, a manual lymphatic drainage massage treatment must be performed on a client in front of the experts.
Diploma and title
Successful graduates receive a certificate / diploma from the respective school: "Lymphatic drainage therapist [name of school]" or "Manual lymphatic drainage [name of school]" or "Graduate lymphatic drainage therapist [name of school]".
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the manual lymph drainage training course?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on this course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are not at all confident about passing the final exam but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable offers here:
No, manual lymphatic drainage training is not for you. What a pity? - Maybe not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Manual lymphatic drainage training is probably not the right further training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: manual lymphatic drainage training does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't suit you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Training in lymphatic drainage massage is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you can find out more about further training and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
Brilliant, this course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin