Full syllabus

Every module, every lesson, published before you pay

35 hours of instruction across 7 modules, 51 written lessons and 6 chapter quizzes. The written curriculum is complete and available the moment you enrol. Video demonstrations are being filmed and appear inside the relevant lessons as they are finished, at no additional cost.

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Module 1 of 7 · Free with an account
Introduction and Orientation
1 hour
What this course is, what it is not, who teaches it, and the standards you agree to hold while you study with us.
1. 1.
  Welcome and Overview of the Course
  Dear Student, Welcome to the Magic Post Operative MLD Instructional Course. We are glad to have you join our student body as you begin work toward a...
  10 min
2. 2.
  The Institute
  Magic Post Op NYC Institute, Inc. is situated at 2708 Glenwood Rd., Unit #1, Brooklyn, New York. The facility encompasses approximately 1,600 square...
  5 min
3. 3.
  Standards of Conduct
  Students enrolling at Magic Post Op NYC Institute, Inc. are expected to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to the school's function as an...
  5 min
4. 4.
  Background History
  Magic Post Operative MLD comprises a team of licensed health professionals who are insured and certified as Manual Lymphatic Drainage specialists for...
  10 min
5. 5.
  How This Course Is Structured
  The programme runs to 35 hours of instruction. - Introduction: 1 hour. Orientation, disclaimer, conduct and background. - Chapter 1: 5 hours. What...
  5 min
6. Introduction and Orientation Quiz
Module 2 of 7 · Included in both tiers
Chapter 1: What Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage
5 hours
The lymphatic system, the three drainage regions, what MLD achieves after surgery, and the risk factors and medication interactions that decide whether you treat at all.
1. 1.
  What Is MLD for Post-Op Aftercare?
  Manual Lymphatic Drainage entails the removal of lymph fluid to flush out accumulated toxins, reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Post...
  12 min
2. 2.
  Anatomy and Physiology: The Lymphatic System
  Understanding the lymphatic system, its function, and how it interacts with the other systems of the body is fundamental to performing MLD...
  20 min
3. 3.
  The Three Primary Drainage Regions
  There are three primary regions of lymphatic drainage in the body: 1. Inguinal nodes, in the groin 2. Axillary nodes, in the armpit 3. Cervical...
  15 min
4. 4.
  Benefits and Limits of MLD
  Manual Lymphatic Drainage offers a number of benefits after surgery: - Speeding up the healing process - Reducing scarring - Reducing inflammation -...
  10 min
5. 5.
  Indications, Contraindications and Common Risk Factors
  If you notice any of the following signs, advise the client to seek immediate medical assistance. - Clients with cancer, diabetes and other diseases....
  25 min
6. 6.
  Possible Side Effects of Anaesthesia
  Clients frequently arrive at a first session still carrying the after-effects of anaesthesia. Recognise them, and normalise them where they are...
  10 min
7. 7.
  Common Postoperative Undesirable Effects
  Beyond anaesthesia, the following are commonly reported through the healing period: - Rashes and dermal rebalancing - Perspiration - Sleep disorders...
  10 min
8. 8.
  Medication Cautions: Narcotics, Tylenol, Ibuprofen and Herbs
  Opioids may cause nausea and vomiting, and are notorious for causing constipation by slowing intestinal movement. - Drowsiness and cognitive...
  20 min
9. Chapter 1 Quiz
Module 3 of 7 · Included in both tiers
Chapter 2: Post Op Cushion and Body Positioning
5 hours
How to position a body that has just been operated on, how to protect your own, and the bedside manner that decides whether a frightened client comes back.
1. 1.
  Positioning by Procedure
  Ways to position the body with cushions depend on the type of surgery performed: - Tummy tuck with BBL - Tummy tuck and/or breast augmentation, with...
  20 min
2. 2.
  Therapist Body Mechanics
  As a therapist, it is vital to stress the significance of maintaining proper body mechanics during an MLD post-operative care session. If you find...
  10 min
3. 3.
  Client Body Positioning
  As a therapist, your duty is to ensure your client's utmost comfort when they come for their MLD session. This is a critical phase in their healing...
  10 min
4. 4.
  Bedside Manner: Key Points
  In your client's most vulnerable moments, it is crucial to make them feel comfortable at all times. The key to a successful practice is a humble...
  20 min
5. 5.
  Pre and Post Emotional Processing
  Understanding the emotional complexity of the pre and post-operative phases is crucial. As therapist and caregiver, being attuned to your client's...
  20 min
6. 6.
  Post-Op Aftershock: The Things They Are Not Normally Told
  To guide your clients through their individual post-op journey, it helps to discuss the challenges that arise as they transition back into daily life...
  20 min
7. 7.
  Key Considerations for Protecting Surgical Outcomes
  To protect the results of procedures such as Brazilian Butt Lifts and fat transfer surgeries, be aware of the factors that contribute to reinflation...
  15 min
8. Chapter 2 Quiz
Module 4 of 7 · Included in both tiers
Chapter 3: Tools and Supplies
5 hours
Everything that goes in the treatment room, what each item is for, our position on the cavitation machine, and the referral network that keeps a client safe.
1. 1.
  Introduction to Tools and Supplies
  This chapter covers the tools and supplies used in MLD post-operative care, what each does, and how it is operated. Four categories run through the...
  10 min
2. 2.
  The Cavitation Machine
  The cavitation machine is covered here for its function, operation and utilisation, so that you understand what it does and what it is claimed to do....
  15 min
3. 3.
  Wood Sculpting, Contouring and Body Shaping
  Wood sculpting, contouring and body shaping techniques are introduced here as adjuncts to manual work, not replacements for it. These are firm...
  15 min
4. 4.
  Silicon Cupping and Compression Garments
  Silicon cupping is introduced as part of the toolkit for moving stagnant fluid and addressing adhesion, again staged to the phase of healing rather...
  15 min
5. 5.
  Therapist Room Set-Up Checklist
  Operating with a high-quality table is essential for providing a comfortable surface for various treatments and therapies. Used to cover the massage...
  25 min
6. 6.
  Building Your Referral Network
  Establish a strong network with other agencies who are your allies, so that you always have somewhere to send a client. Every contraindication in...
  10 min
7. Chapter 3 Quiz
Module 5 of 7 · Included in both tiers
Clinical: Protocols and Supervised Practice
15 hours plus two days in person
The full treatment protocol stage by stage, from the acute first week to long-term maintenance, plus the ethics that govern the work. Written protocols are online; the supervised hands-on hours are taught in person at the institute.
1. 1.
  Acute First Stage: 1 to 2 Weeks
  The acute stage covers roughly the first one to two weeks after surgery. It is the phase with the most upside and the most risk: the client is at...
  15 min
2. 2.
  Adjusting Technique to Tissue Type and Client Sensitivity
  Clients generally fall into one of three categories: soft, medium or lean tissue types. Based on their sensitivity levels, inflammation buildup and...
  15 min
3. 3.
  Guidelines for Compression Garments, Foam and Boards
  Compression garments with foam and boards should be worn for 23 hours daily during the acute stage, allowing up to 60 minutes for removal for...
  10 min
4. 4.
  Utilising Towels for Scar Tissue Management
  Towels can serve as an effective alternative for breaking up scar tissue formation in the subcutaneous layer of the tissue. However, patients and...
  15 min
5. 5.
  Session Timing and Incision Care
  Manual Lymphatic Drainage sessions should ideally begin within 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Gloves are recommended during MLD sessions to maintain...
  15 min
6. 6.
  The Initial Session: Collecting Surgical History
  What type of procedure did you have? - How long ago was it performed? - How many Manual Lymphatic Drainage sessions have you completed? - Where was...
  20 min
7. 7.
  Step 1: Preparation
  1. Remind your client to eat a light meal and hydrate before the session, to prevent nausea or lightheadedness. 2. Wear latex-free or powder-free...
  10 min
8. 8.
  Step 2: Combined Decongestive Therapy
  Duration: 30 to 60 minutes. Before the client lies on the treatment table, perform a standing assessment. Gently palpate the liposuction-treated area...
  25 min
9. 9.
  Step 3: Educating the Client on Self-Care
  Demonstrate to the client how to perform self-MLD at home using gentle, circular motions. Start by stimulating the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits...
  15 min
10. 10.
  Step 4: Advanced Garment Fitting and Follow-Up Planning
  For clients requiring additional support, utilise layered bandaging with foam or board inserts, or recommend specialty-fitted garments tailored to...
  15 min
11. 11.
  Maintenance Phase: 6 to 8 Weeks and Beyond
  During this stage, clients are advised to wear compression garments with foam boards for a minimum of 20 hours per day. The duration may vary...
  10 min
12. 12.
  Short-Term Final Stages of Healing: 8 to 12 Weeks
  As clients approach their desired result, they should continue performing self-MLD therapy for 20 to 30 minutes daily, or every other day, to...
  12 min
13. 13.
  Long-Term Final Stages of Healing: 12 Weeks and Beyond
  During this phase, clients are encouraged to continue their recovery with the following practices: - Waist training. Incorporate waist training for...
  10 min
14. 14.
  Body Tissue Categories and Healing
  Healing progress varies significantly by body tissue type. There are three primary categories. - Tissue texture. Fatty and soft connective tissue. -...
  12 min
15. 15.
  Lifestyle Recommendations and Recovery Timeline
  Avoid substance use. It is strongly recommended to avoid alcohol, smoking and vaping throughout the healing process to optimise recovery. - Revision...
  10 min
16. 16.
  Hands-On Practice at the Institute
  The supervised clinical hours are taught in person at the Magic Post Op NYC Institute, 2708 Glenwood Rd, Brooklyn, New York, across two days. They...
  10 min
17. 17.
  Ethical and Professional Considerations
  This lesson addresses the ethical principles, boundaries and professional standards of practice that apply when working with post-operative patients....
  20 min
18. Clinical Quiz
Module 6 of 7 · Free with an account
Client Home Guide: MLD Self-Massage Home Regimen
Supplementary
The step-by-step self-massage regimen you hand to clients for the days between professional sessions. Free with a Magic Post Op Academy account.
1. 1.
  Preparation for MLD Self-Massage
  This chapter provides step-by-step instructions for clients to perform Manual Lymphatic Drainage at home on the days they do not visit a professional...
  10 min
2. 2.
  Abdominal Region
  Move fluid toward the left groin, the inguinal nodes, using a clockwise pumping and stretching motion. Avoid the clockwise motion. Instead, move...
  10 min
3. 3.
  Clavicular Lymph Nodes
  1. Place two fingers in the clavicular groove, the deep groove between the collarbone and the trapezius muscle. 2. Press, pump and release 5 to 10...
  8 min
4. Client Home Guide Quiz
Module 7 of 7 · Business Mentorship add-on
The Extended Business Mentorship Programme
4 hours
An optional programme delivered as live calls, covering how to set up, price, market and run the practice you have just been trained to work in.
1. 1.
  How the Mentorship Works
  The mentorship programme is an optional offering designed to provide students with additional mentorship and support as they navigate their career...
  8 min
2. 2.
  Business Set-Up Guidance
  Participants receive comprehensive guidance on setting up their own business. This includes: - Navigating licensing requirements - Understanding the...
  15 min
3. 3.
  Product and Service Development Framework
  The programme offers insight and strategy for developing products and services tailored to the needs of clients in the manual lymphatic drainage and...
  15 min
4. 4.
  Marketing Strategies and Projected Business Growth
  Students learn effective marketing strategies to promote their services and attract clients. They also gain insight into projecting business growth...
  15 min
5. 5.
  Business Setup and Management Guidance
  The programme includes guidance on setting up and managing the business effectively. This encompasses: - Organisational structure - Operations...
  15 min

Scope of practice: please read before you enrol

This programme awards an educational certificate. It is not a massage therapy licence, and it does not confer one.

New York State regulates the practice of massage therapy. Manual lymphatic drainage performed on the public may fall within that regulated scope depending on how you practise and where you practise. Other states, provinces and countries regulate it differently.

You are responsible for confirming and meeting the licensing, registration and insurance requirements that apply where you work, before you accept a client. Nothing we teach overrides those requirements.

Our curriculum is educational information, not medical advice. Clients with medical concerns must be directed to their surgeon or physician.

Read the full scope of practice notice

Ready to work through it properly?

Enrolment opens every lesson above, the chapter quizzes, and your certificate on completion. Or start with the free chapter.

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Every module, every lesson, published before you pay

Introduction and Orientation

Chapter 1: What Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Chapter 2: Post Op Cushion and Body Positioning

Chapter 3: Tools and Supplies

Clinical: Protocols and Supervised Practice

Client Home Guide: MLD Self-Massage Home Regimen

The Extended Business Mentorship Programme

Scope of practice: please read before you enrol

Ready to work through it properly?