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Lymphatic Drainage Massage Online Class

Learn the specialized skills of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) with our comprehensive online course. Whether you are a massage therapist looking to expand your practice or a healthcare professional seeking to improve patient outcomes, this course provides the anatomical knowledge and hands-on techniques required to master this gentle, powerful modality.

Lymphatic drainage massage on the neck.

Course Overview: The Science of Fluid Dynamics

Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a profound technique focused on the body’s “second circulatory system.” Unlike traditional massage that targets muscle tissue, MLD uses light, rhythmic strokes to stimulate the movement of lymph fluids, which helps to remove toxins, reduce edema, and bolster the immune system. You will explore the delicate balance of the interstitial space and learn how to move fluid effectively through the superficial and deep lymphatic pathways.

Lymphatic drainage technique patterns on the neck.

What You Will Learn

  • Identify the major lymph nodes and drainage pathways throughout the body.
  • Understand the indications and contraindications for MLD to ensure client safety.
  • Apply specific protocols for the face, neck, torso, and extremities.
  • Integrate lymphatic drainage into post-surgical recovery and wellness treatments.
Lymph angion image.

Course Details & Learning Materials

  • 90 Minutes of High-Definition Video: Clear, narrated demonstrations of over 60 specific techniques.
  • 37-Page Digital Manual: A comprehensive reference guide featuring detailed anatomy diagrams and step-by-step instructions.
  • Certification of Completion: Perfect for displaying in your office or submitting for professional development.
  • Lifetime Access: Review the techniques whenever you need a refresher.

Lymphatic Drainage Learning Hub: Deep Dive Resources

As part of our commitment to massage education, explore these in-depth articles to supplement your learning:

What is Lymphatic Drainage Massage? — Learn the fundamental principles of MLD and the immune system.

Lymphatic Drainage Techniques Guide — A deep dive into specific strokes like stationary circles and pump techniques.

Integrating MLD into Wellness Massage — Learn how to combine lymphatic clearing with Swedish protocols.


Meet your Instructor:

Sean Riehl is the founder of Real Bodywork and a leading expert in massage therapy and bodywork education. A pioneer in clinical instruction, Sean began teaching massage in 1991, and has authored numerous textbooks and produced over 30 instructional videos used by massage schools and practitioners worldwide.

Beyond his clinical and educational work, Sean has been a driving force in the wellness industry’s growth. In 2022, he was a founding member of iFlex Stretch Studios, a premier assisted stretching franchise. Following the acquisition of iFlex by the founders of StretchLab in late 2024, Sean served as the Vice President of Training through 2025. In this role, he worked closely with the executive team to elevate training standards and curriculum for hundreds of practitioners before retiring from the position at the end of the year to focus on his educational legacy.

Sean Riehl, massage instructor.

Lessons

CERTIFICATE AND CEU INFO- Lymphatic

Free Preview

Length: 0 minutes

Lymphatic drainage massage class online

Please view to learn about our courses. Questions answered: How long will you have access to this course? Is it the same as the dvds? Are there CEUs included? Do I have to take a test? Can I download the content? Is my interenet connection fast enough?

Anatomy of the Lymphatic system (and download manual)

Length: 13 minutesComplexity: Standard

Lymph angion animation.

Download the 37 page manual in this lesson. Then learn about the anatomy of the lymphatic system, lymph nodes function, the ingredients of lymph, how the lymphatic vessels move the lymph and how to get the lymph flowing yourself.

Lymph Node Anatomy

Length: 10 minutesComplexity: Easy

Cross-section of a human lymph node with afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels and internal cortex and medulla structure.

Learn the structure and function of lymph nodes and their role in the lymphatic drainage system. This lesson explains the major lymph node groups used in lymphatic drainage massage, including cervical, axillary, cubital, parasternal, and inguinal nodes. Understanding lymph node anatomy helps massage therapists correctly direct lymph flow and perform effective manual lymphatic drainage techniques in this online lymphatic drainage course.

Lymph Node Anatomy Matching Quiz

Length: 3 minutesComplexity: Easy

Wide medical illustration icon showing a cross-section of a lymph node with internal cortex and medulla structures, surrounded by lymphatic vessels and immune cells, designed as an educational graphic for a lymph node anatomy quiz.

Test your understanding of lymphatic drainage massage techniques with this interactive concept quiz. Review the essential principles used in manual lymphatic drainage, including pressure, rhythm, stroke direction, and treatment sequencing. This quiz reinforces the core techniques taught in the online lymphatic drainage course and helps massage therapists develop a deeper understanding of effective lymphatic drainage methods.

Lymph nodes and drainage patterns

Free Preview

Length: 16 minutesComplexity: Standard

Location of the lymphatic nodes in the neck

This lesson covers the location of the lymph nodes, as well as the watershed and lymphatomes. Also included are the causes of edema and what it is. This lesson also includes a lymph chart that shows the drainage patterns.

Lymphatome Matching Quiz

Length: 10 minutesComplexity: Easy

Lymphatome map illustration showing color-coded lymphatic drainage regions of the upper torso and neck separated by watershed lines, used for a lymphatic drainage massage lymphatome matching quiz in an online lymphatic drainage training course.

Learn how lymph flows across the body by matching lymphatic drainage regions and watersheds in this interactive lymphatome quiz. This exercise helps students understand the directional pathways of lymph movement and the boundaries between drainage territories. Mastering lymphatome patterns is essential for performing safe and effective manual lymphatic drainage techniques in an online lymphatic drainage training program.

Lymphatic drainage Technique

Length: 5 minutesComplexity: Standard

Details about how to perform a lymphatic drainage massage session.

This lesson demonstrates the basics of lymphatic drainage massage technique. This includes using correct rhythm, sequence, direction and pressure. The main stroke is the J stroke, and this lesson shows how to do it.

Technique Concept Quiz

Length: 3 minutesComplexity: Easy

Wide educational illustration showing a hand performing a gentle circular lymphatic drainage massage technique on the neck and upper chest with directional arrows indicating stroke motion, designed as an icon for a lymphatic drainage technique concept quiz.

Test your understanding of lymphatic drainage massage techniques with this interactive concept quiz. Review the essential principles used in manual lymphatic drainage, including pressure, rhythm, stroke direction, and treatment sequencing. This quiz reinforces the core techniques taught in the online lymphatic drainage course and helps massage therapists develop a deeper understanding of effective lymphatic drainage methods.

Face and neck

Length: 15 minutesComplexity: Standard

Lymphatic drainage massage to the jaw as part of a lymphatic face massage.

This lesson demonstrates lymphatic drainage massage to the face and neck. These techniques are useful for removing puffiness in the face or under the eyes. The techniques are performed with the client supine, and the work starts at the lower neck and moves up, draining the pathways as you progress.

Arm and torso

Length: 9 minutesComplexity: Standard

Lymphatic drainage massage to the inner arm with the therapist using their fingers.

This lesson demonstrates how to perform lymphatic work to the arm and chest. This is vital work for anyone who has had lymph nodes removed from the armpit (perhaps from a mastectomy), and has edema (swelling) in the arm or hand. These techniques are incredibly powerful and safe for this condition.

Belly and Leg

Length: 12 minutesComplexity: Standard

lymphatic drainage on the foot

This lesson demonstrates lymphatic work to the belly and leg. All of the lymph from the legs drains into the inguinal nodes, and then deep into the belly. The techniques in this lesson show how to drain the lymph first from the belly, then move down and drain the legs. This is useful for people who have edema (swelling) in their ankles.

Self face lymphatic massage

Length: 5 minutesComplexity: Standard

Self face lymphatic massage to clear the lymphatic pathways.

This lesson demonstrates how to perform lymphatic drainage to your face and neck. Working on yourself is a great way to experience the affect of lymphatic drainage massage. You will be able to feel the lymph increasing it’s flow, and visibly see the puffiness reduced from your face. Great to practice first thing in the morning.

Interview and review

Length: 12 minutesComplexity: Standard

This lesson incorporates a review of the techniques of lymphatic drainage. It also includes a great interview with Alan Mills, who is a prominent lymphatic drainage therapist. The mixing of his wisdom and Sean’s, gives the viewer a great perspective on lymphatic work.