I have enjoyed my 15 years of practice in Massage Therapy here in Calgary. I really have. I was so excited when I found my joy in Massage Therapy, and working here in my home town, brought me such happiness. I was even more surprised, when I found my true passion in Lymphatic Drainage Therapy. I happened into a class in 2005, and have never really looked back. It is such an exciting moment, everyday, in my private practice, when I look into my schedule and see that I have lymphatic treatments booked. Fate really has a way of taking care of me. To be in such a place, where I can specialize in a therapy that I truly believe in, in such a gift.
Over the past 15 years though, I have also been teaching Massage Therapy at different educational institutions around Calgary. I learned so much working with different styles of learners, breaking down anatomy and physiology terms, concepts and illnesses. This has served me well over time. I love trying to explain the intricacies of the human body to students, clients, and recently, to my own children. There is truly nothing more exciting than seeing the comprehension cross over someone’s eyes, and for them to finally understand the wondrous abilities of their own body.
To this, I have also had frustrations. Through all of my studies, teachings and research, I have fallen in love with our Lymphatic System. To understand the workings of our immune system, the details of it’s layout, it’s workings and the many ways we can gently influence it, lead me to a sense of awe. What frustrates most of us in this field, at least for myself, is how with little respect and understanding the majority of the medical field and many of our colleagues put towards this treatment, and the system itself. It is quite common knowledge that doctors, surgeons, physiotherapists, chiropractors and massage therapists are given a very minimal time allocated in their studies to the workings of the lymphatic system. I know, from my experience at 3 massage training institutions, that we are lucky to have it’s anatomy and physiology taught for a day or two in lectures, and then maybe half a day of hands on training. I don’t mean any disrespect, as this is better than none at all, however, it is not in the direction of moving the therapy forward.
Lymphatic drainage therapy (LDT) or manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) has been used widely all over Europe for the past 100 years, and is common practice for all Osteopathics and therapists alike. Patients who receive treatment from cancer to surgeries are more likely to receive lymphatic treatment to help reduce swelling and to prevent edema than simple rest and relaxation. Such a valuable part to our entire body, our very own immune system, and we are still just coming to the point of accepting that this non-aggressive, gentle and encouraging technique is worth our time in training and practice. It truly makes me sad, frustrated a bit, but mostly sad. Why are we not worthy of strengthening our immune system and working gently with our bodies, instead of the hyper aggressive and often painful treatments of today’s therapies?
I have been blessed to find a home working with other gifted and expanding minds, while training with the Chikly Health Institute, the Academy of Lymphatic Studies, as well as the International Alliance of Health Educators, learning Craniosacral Therapy. I find that the balance I have created in my own practice, and for my patients, brings me solace knowing that there can be a natural balance, without pain-inducing therapies. I am grateful for all of the knowledge I have collected, and moving forward, to help train those wanting to learn about the immune system, and the many benefits of encouraging it to maintaining homeostasis.
I plod on, holding information nights every other month, sponsoring courses all over Canada, and am now in training to teach Lymphatic Drainage Therapy around the world. Am endeavored to help spread the word, help those who wish it, and to learn even more. My endearing wish, is that this valued system becomes one of reverence, and is treated as such. Every therapist who touches a client’s body, should be comfortable and confident to support this system in it’s daily tasks.
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