Manual Lymphatic Drainage
-
Register
- Non-member - $119.95
- Member - $79.95
- Student - $79.95
- Certified Student - $79.95
- Retired - $79.95
Develop practical manual lymphatic drainage skills for managing edema, supporting tissue recovery, and integrating lymphatic techniques safely into sports medicine and rehabilitation.
Course Overview
Apply lymphatic drainage principles to support fluid clearance, tissue recovery, and rehabilitation.
Explore lymphatic anatomy and physiology, fluid dynamics, treatment principles, clinical indications, contraindications, and practical techniques for safe professional application.
About This Course
Post-acute edema and chronic soft-tissue swelling can severely impede range of motion, delay tissue healing, and increase pain following athletic injury or orthopedic surgery. Taught by an Athletic Trainer specialized in lymphatic manual therapy, this course provides Athletic Trainers with specialized skills in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) tailored for sports medicine environments.
Clinicians will study the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system, lymph node pathways, and fluid dynamics. The curriculum covers gentle, rhythmical light-touch strokes designed to stimulate lymphatic vessel contractility, accelerate interstitial fluid removal, and decrease localized swelling.
Athletic Trainers will learn how to apply MLD safely for acute ankle sprains, post-operative joint swelling, contusions, and hematomas to promote faster tissue recovery and return to activity.
Presented by Kelly Saxton, the course combines lymphatic anatomy and physiology, clinical reasoning, recorded treatment-room demonstrations, and practical guidance for safe professional application.
Participants will also examine lymphatic pathways and nodes, fluid regulation, circulatory and immune relationships, treatment principles, clinical indications, safety considerations, and contraindications. Two treatment-room sessions demonstrate practical techniques, followed by a recorded practitioner discussion addressing common questions and clinical integration.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
What You Will Learn
Develop a practical understanding of lymphatic function, manual drainage techniques, clinical indications, safety considerations, and treatment integration.
Lymphatic Anatomy & Physiology
Explore pathways, nodes, fluid regulation, and circulatory and immune relationships.
MLD Foundations
Understand the theoretical principles and biomechanics underlying manual lymphatic drainage techniques.
Clinical Indications
Examine applications for wellness, lymphedema support, post-operative care, inflammatory presentations, and tissue edema.
Safety & Contraindications
Review precautions, contraindications, screening, and evidence-informed safety considerations.
Treatment Integration
Learn how manual lymphatic drainage protocols can be integrated into post-injury, post-surgical, and broader professional rehabilitation and treatment plans.
Course Content
The course combines recorded clinical instruction, practical treatment-room demonstrations, and practitioner discussion to support safe and confident professional application.
Who This Course Is For
This course is suitable for athletic trainers, massage therapists, manual therapists, physical therapists, rehabilitation professionals, bodyworkers, and other qualified practitioners seeking to expand their understanding of lymphatic massage.
It is especially relevant for professionals supporting clients through wellness care, tissue healing, fluid-regulation concerns, edema management, and post-operative recovery within their scope of practice.
About Kelly Saxton
Kelly Saxton, MS, ATC, LAT, LMT, CST-T
Kelly Saxton is an experienced athletic trainer, massage therapist, and rehabilitation professional.
Her professional experience includes work at East Carolina University and Penn State, where she supported NCAA athletic programs that achieved three national championships.
Kelly's teaching combines clinical knowledge with practical treatment-room instruction, helping practitioners translate complex therapeutic concepts into safe and usable professional skills.
Included With This Course
Recorded Webinar Sessions
Three recorded sessions covering clinical foundations, demonstrations, and discussion.
Course Lessons
Structured supporting material designed to reinforce the webinar learning.
Course Workbook
Downloadable workbook supporting theory and practical application.
Online Exam
Assessment included for successful course completion.
Certificate
Downloadable certificate following successful completion of the requirements for 5.0 Category A CEUs.
Course Access & Expiration
This course must be completed within 12 months from the purchase date. For full details, refer to the Expiration Date Policy on our FAQ page .
Topics Covered
Kelly Saxton, ATC, LMT
Kelly Saxton, MS, ATC, LAT, LMT, CST-T, is an experienced athletic trainer, massage therapist, and rehabilitation professional.
Her professional experience includes work at East Carolina University and Penn State, where she supported NCAA athletic programs that achieved three national championships.
Kelly’s teaching combines clinical knowledge with practical treatment-room instruction, helping practitioners translate complex therapeutic concepts into safe and usable professional skills.