Yvette Jordan is our Lymphology SME. The Founder and Training Director of UK Lymphology Clinics and a practising massage therapist for 40 years, she runs a clinic in West Sussex treating cancer patients and clients with lymphatic dysfunctions. She trained in Germany to level III CDT Lymphoedema Therapy15 years ago and has become known as a specialist in the study of lymphatics and early onset lymphoedema.
Pre-Cancer Massage for Health
We know massage is good for your health, right? We can feel it, we hear and see results and yet we are all still missing out on the ability to improve our therapies and clients’ health because we do not fully understand the lymphatic system.
I believe we are missing out on informing and massaging the separate health system known as the lymphatic system. Do you know that after giving a great traditional massage, this undetermined, ignored yet vital immune system can become overloaded with waste and toxins? When a client has regular massage to help reduce stress, the stress has reduced the capability of the lymphatic system, sometimes by up to fifty percent. Your massage has just filled it up with more waste and toxins. The question is, as a therapist working for the optimum wellbeing of your client shouldn`t you now be emptying this system for their health?
Lymphatic massage is not the same as traditional massage, it applies a completely different technique because it works a uniquely separate system. Lymph is ubiquitous within the body and needs its own special attention for the health and wellbeing of every massage client. The lymph nodes fight cancer cells daily and it does this throughout the system. Stagnation and toxic cellular blockages from overloaded idled lymph nodes leads to cancer – breast and abdominal cancers being foremost today. If you wonder, why your stressed clients don`t always `feel great after a massage` you may want to think about the effects of adding dirty water to an already stagnant fish tank!
Post Cancer Massage for Recovery
While the benefits of having post-cancer massage is a scorching hot topic, we still may hear horror stories of clients turned away like lepers. That said, there is still much uncertainty amongst health professionals. Businesses have been nervous and shying away from treating clients because they are fearful of repercussions or possibly causing recurrence.
I was lectured 15 years ago by the late and great Professor Foëldi who had studied cancer for over 55 years and who said “You would have to lay completely still for the rest of your life not have any chance of moving cancer to cause recurrence.”
The controversy surrounding massage after cancer may have been disproved, however it does require specialist knowledge and adaptation.
Slowly but surely, and for the greater good this is changing, from ignorance to acceptance especially at a top level within our industry from champions of the cause like Kush Kumar, CEO of Think Tree Hub.
Specialising in Lymphoedema, a common side effect of cancer, means I have been working with all types of cancer patients for over 15 years and whilst some of my patients have sadly developed and since died from secondary or recurring cancer those for whom I have had the pleasure to treat have had a better quality of life and grateful for any feel good treatment.
To any therapist thinking about working with cancer patients I would say, train to understand the correct procedure. Yes, there are specific approaches to be safe and mindful of your cancer clients’ needs, and those who have been affected by cancer deserve specialist treatment. However, it is immensely rewarding work for those who are ready, and who have the knowledge and experience.
Summary
Lymphatic massage is a hugely rewarding addition to your list of therapies and offers mind-blowing health benefits, from maintaining and boosting immunity to post cancer massage, lymphatic massage is the future and a huge area of growth to be embraced.
We have created a new course helping therapists to integrate lymphatic massage into their stressed clients, reducing their overloaded lymphatic systems with potential long-term benefits you might easily guess from the content of this article.
Lymphatic Integrated Massage – Module -1- LIM
This new dynamic short course is designed to enable a better understanding of the lymphatic system and the importance of its stimulation for optimum health and wellbeing. LIM is only administered on lymphatic systems with no trauma or disruptions to pathways. This therapy is not suitable or available post-cancer but highly recommended for stressed clients and compliments any other therapy application.
LIM Course 2021. Registration by Wednesday 3rd February 2021. Three-week Home Study starts on the 5th February 2021. One day attended course Wednesday 10th March 2021. Venue is The School of Natural Therapies, Unit 5b Clapham North Art Centre, 26–32 Voltaire Road, London, SW4 6DH. More details on www.theuklc.com.
UKLC Breast Cancer Aftercare training dates are to be finalised. Please note that a pre-requisite for Breast Cancer Aftercare course is LIM/TTH accreditation.