Well, I am back from a six-day workshop in Perrysburg, Ohio. Held at the Healing Arts Institute, this Manual Lymphatic Drainage workshop was presented by Klose Training (www.klosetraining.com). A nine-hour drive from my still-snowy home, I realized that all the snow that is left in the U.S. is in my yard! A clear, dry drive along Lake Erie convinced me that old man winter has taken up residence for good in Saratoga Springs!
Upon my arrival, I was warmly greeted in true Ohioan fashion by the proprieter of the B & B that was to be my home for a week. I settled in, completely unaware of what lay ahead.
Monday morning started the first of six nine-hour days (ok, five - our instructor let us go early on Saturday!), not including the time spent studying every night. I managed to get in a nice walk and a good bath every day but the week was long and grueling.
By week's end, I had a whole new perspective of the human body. I had learned more about the lymphatic system than I ever thought I could - right down to the cellular level and the little hair-like pumps that keep the lymph flowing (yes, despite popular belief, the lymph system has it's own pumping system in place!).
The massage technique we learned was gentle and subtle - it was our job to help direct the flow of lymph through the body, moving it around injured areas, and helping with pain and swelling. How does this all relate to cancer you ask? Well, cancer surgery and radiation is the number one cause in this country of a condition called Lymphedema. Lymphedema has no cure, and must be managed for the duration of a person's life. It is the swelling of the extremities, and it can become quite debilitating.
So now I have another designation after my name - CMLDT (Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist - that's a mouthful!) - to add to LMBT (Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist). What all this means for me is that I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn even more about the amazing human body, and to be better able to help others improve their quality of life.
So Happy Spring to all! Enjoy the blossoming and blooming and all the miracles of life . . .
