Course Description

Welcome to our course on lymphedema management for rehabilitation professionals. As you may know, cancer and its treatment is the leading cause of secondary lymphedema. As a rehabilitation professional, it is invaluable to recognize and differentiate secondary lymphedema resulting from cancer, chronic venous insufficiency, and trauma. While this course is rooted in cancer-related lymphedema, the principles, and practices covered can be applied across multiple settings, such as orthopedic clinics, sports medicine practices, and long-term care facilities. Overall, this course can help you improve patient outcomes, stay up-to-date with current guidelines, enhance your professional skillset, and expand your patient base.

Course Synopsis:

Cancer treatment is the most common cause of secondary lymphedema. Current guidelines support  surveillance with education, early diagnosis, and proactive interventions. Rehabilitation professionals should be able to recognize and differentiate secondary lymphedema to minimize its impact on functional status and quality of life of the individual survivor. The course will review anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and provide an understanding of the pathophysiology encountered with injury and disease. Consistent with current guidelines, the course will identify signs and symptoms of cancer- related lymphedema, differential diagnosis and current evidence-based precautions and prevention techniques to enhance a prospective surveillance model.  Evaluation and treatment techniques will be reviewed with the focus on clinical reasoning for lymphedema screening, management, and referral.

Instructor Disclosure

Disclosure: The instructor reports no relevant financial or non-financial relationships related to the content of this course.

(Please note, this is not a lymphedema certification program; it is an introduction to oncology-related lymphedema screening and management.)

Course curriculum

    1. Chapter 1 - Please download course materials for this chapter.

    2. Chapter 1, Lesson 1 - Role of Lymphatics in the Immune, Circulatory, and Integumentary System, Primary and Secondary Lymphedema: Causes, Signs/Symptoms, Staging and Specifics in the Oncology Population (Video length: 0:58:23)

    3. Chapter 1, Lesson 1 - A&P of Lymphatic System & Superficial Lymphatics Quiz (Time 0:08:0 )

    1. Chapter 2, Lesson 1 - Conservative Treatment: Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)-The “Gold Standard of Care”, Surgical Advancements and Options (video time: 0:34:30)

    2. Chapter 2 , Lesson 1 Conservative Treatment Quiz (Time 0:05:0)

    1. Chapter 3, Lesson 1 - Evaluation, Diagnostics, Screening, Assessment, and Prevention (Video time: 0:22:0)

    2. Chapter 3, Lesson 2 - Differential Diagnostics: Pictures & Identification of: Lymphedema Including Breast, and Palliative Care, LE Venous Insufficiency, Wounds, Phlebolymphedema, Arterial Insufficiency, Dependent, & Post-Op Edemas (Video Time: 0:29:45)

    3. Chapter 3, Lessons 1 and 2 Evaluation, Differential Diagnosis Quiz (0:08:0)

    1. Chapter 4, Lesson 1 Special Consideration: Q&A for Risk Reduction and Precautions With the Oncology Population (Video Length: 0:15:51)

    2. Chapter 4, Lesson 2 -Video for Differential Diagnosis Identification Quiz Time (0:08:0)

    3. Chapter 4, Lessons 1 and 2 Differential Diagnosis Quiz (Time 0:05:0)

    1. Course Evaluation - Lymphedema Principles for Every Clinician

About this course

  • $79.00
  • 12 lessons
  • 3 hours of video content
  • Introductory Level

Instructor

Founder & CEO Lisa Marshall OTR/L, CLT, CLWT

Passionate about evidence-based clinical programs, Lisa excels in training clinicians and treating patients. In 2002, she founded Specialty Rehabilitation Inc. (SRI), offering specialized physical and occupational therapy services, notably in oncology rehabilitation, lymphedema, and pelvic floor dysfunction for both men and women. Lisa holds certifications in lymphedema and wound therapy. She gained national recognition for her Certified Oncology Rehabilitation Expert (CORE) program under the International Lymphedema and Wound Training Institute (ILWTI). A sought-after speaker, Lisa has addressed audiences such as the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), universities, and numerous nonprofits. From 2008 to 2021, Lisa spearheaded an oncology therapy program at a major cancer center, offering comprehensive services from pre-habilitation to palliation for various cancers and associated issues like fatigue, neuropathy, cognitive impairments, and cancer-related pelvic floor dysfunction. Lisa's expertise extends to consulting for cancer centers and hospitals, focusing on program development, clinician education, and patient care. Disclosure: The instructor reports no relevant financial or non-financial relationships related to the content of this course.

Course Objectives

  • Identify two contributing factors to upper and lower extremity lymphedema that require additional screening and referral.

  • Identify two key components of evaluation necessary for documentation of therapy progress in patients with lymphedema.

  • Identify two lymphedema precautions for individuals with active cancer and two precautions for individuals with a history of cancer.

  • Identify symptoms of active infection given a patient scenario.

  • Identify contraindications to lymphedema treatment based on a patient’s past medical history, including cancer history and multiple comorbidities.

Frequent Asked Questions - Please Review Prior to Course Registration

  • Who is this course for?

    Course Audience: This course is designed for OT's, OTA's, PT's, PTA's who work in a variety of settings, such as orthopedic clinics, sports medicine practices, long-term care facilities, and oncology.

  • What is the course format?

    Distance Learning – Independent (On-Demand 24/7) The course content is delivered through a combination of self-paced learning modules, quizzes and case studies.

  • What are the certificate requirements?

    To earn a certificate of completion you must complete the self-paced curriculum, achieve 70% or better on all quizzes, and complete the course evaluation. After all requirements are met you may download your certificate.

  • Will I obtain a (CLT) Certified Lymphedema Therapist Certification

    No, this course is not a CLT course. It will provide you with the principles and practices needed to effectively screen, recognize when to refer, and to educate patients on risk factors.

  • My state is not listed under approved CEUs, what should I do?

    Continuing Education requirements are complicated and often change. Please check our CEU section for specifics. If you do not see your state listed, please either check with your individual state for reciprocity or contact us directly: [email protected]

  • What is the Cancelation Policy for Learners?

    Cancellation Policy (Please review prior to registration): • Distance Learning – Independent (On-Demand): Self-paced courses are non-refundable once enrolled. • Live and Distance Learning – Interactive courses: Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to [email protected] at least 30 days prior to the course start date. Refunds will be issued minus a $50 processing fee. Learners may transfer to another course date at no charge, subject to availability. • Hybrid courses: Refunds are not available after registration. Learners may request to reschedule the live component at no additional cost, subject to availability.

  • What is the Provider Cancelation Policy?

    In the unlikely event that Specialty Rehabilitation Inc. must cancel a course, registered participants will be notified promptly via email. Learners may transfer to a rescheduled date at no additional cost or receive a full refund of all fees paid.

  • Accessibility & Accommodations Q: What if I need an accommodation to participate in this course?

    Accessibility & ADA Accommodations: Specialty Rehabilitation Inc. is committed to providing accessible learning experiences in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Learners who require reasonable accommodations must email [email protected] at least 30 days prior to the course start date. Requests should include the learner’s name, course title, and the specific accommodation requested. Approved accommodations will be confirmed in writing prior to course participation when feasible.

Continuing Education Approval

Physical Therapists and PTA's

This course has been approved by the Maryland and Texas State Boards of Physical Therapy Examiners for 3.0 contact hours

Maryland #2022-838 - Expires 09/06/2026


Occupational Therapists and OTA's

This continuing education program has been approved by the Maryland Board of O.T. Practice for 3.0 contact hours. #2024:0062 Expires 06/30/2026

Our current policies and standards meet criteria for approval within the individual state and/or grants reciprocity with the following states: 

Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, California , Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.  

Individual state boards and/or organizations may change their practice act/rules and regulations at any time. It is ultimately the responsibility of the licensee to confirm that the course meets criteria for contact hour approval.