In the period 7- 11 September 2021, the Clinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Clinical Center Tuzla is a host of the training program of “The Dr. Vodder Method of Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)- Therapy I”. Silva Uršić is a phisiotherpist and instructor for dr Vodder method of MLD from Vodder Academy International, Austria.
Wide applicability
“Dr Vodder method of manual lymph drainage is a very gentle, “light touch” form of hand massage technique used to remove waste fluids from the tissues. In medicine, it is generally known as a technique for removing large edemas that occur in various pathologies, most often in cancer. When large lymph nodes are removed or when large lymph vessels are damaged, a specific area is being blocked and fluid stagnates in the tissue. Swelling- edema appears. Edema caused due to damage of the lymphatic system is called lymphedema. Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive condition, that if not treated timely, progresses slowly. In the world, as the gold standard for the treatment of lymphedema is combined decongenstant therapy- CDT, which consists of four elements: manual lymph drainage, compression ( compression bandages or compression garments), decongestant exercises and skin care performed by trained physiotherapists- a lymphatic therapists. Added to the treatment of lymphedema, manual lymphatic drainage is also used in a post- traumatic rehabilitation, after orthopedic surgery, respiratory therapy and other medical conditions.” said Silva Uršić, leading instructor and associate at the Wittlinger Lymphedema Clinic, Austria.
Due to the increase in the number of patients with lymphedema of various etiologies, who turn to the Clinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for the treatment and therapy, the University Clinical Center Tuzla organizes education from dr. Vodder method for its health care professionals.
The curriculum of this training is planned in three parts. The first part was conducted in the year 2019 with six participants. It was the the basic part of the training where lymphatic drainage was performed on a healthy person. The second part of training was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, and now advanced part of this training are being taken.
” At this stage we apply lymphatic drainage for therapeutic purposes in physiotherapy after orthopedic surgery, multiple traumas or similar situations. I’m quite impressed to see that this group of participants is very interested and eager to work and adopt new knowledge” said Uršić.
The third, last part of education should take place following year, and the emphasis in the final part will be on lymphedema, which is also the highest level of education in manual lymph drainage, and after that all participant will obtain Dr. Vodder MLD certificate.
This training also attended health professionals from Banja Luka, Mostar, Gradačac and other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
