Joachim Zuther, Lymphedema Specialist.
Dear Friends and Members of the Lymphedema Community!
As many of you know, I founded the Academy of Lymphatic Studies in 1994, which developed an outstanding reputation over the decades for scientifically based instruction in Lymphedema Management. Until 2005, when I decided to sell the school following a diagnosis with a condition that severely impacted my ability to dedicate all my time and energy to effectively lead the Academy, I was at the helm of this institution; however, I never left the Academy and had been a consultant and advisor for the new owners from the time I sold the school.
Unfortunately, the Academy was sold again in recent years, and over time it became apparent that the goals and strategies of the Academy of Lymphatic Studies’ new leadership no longer conform to my personal principles regarding the training and certification of well-educated and qualified Lymphedema Therapists.
Since July 2022 I am no longer associated with the Academy of Lymphatic Studies.
It always was, and still is, my core belief that effectively providing a first-class education in Lymphedema care requires a deep knowledge of, and dedication to the field of lymphology, including vast experience in the treatment of Lymphedema, establishing and upholding meaningful and necessary guidelines for the training of Certified Lymphedema Therapists, maintaining the highest standards in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of Lymphedema, and the willingness to ensure and prioritize the safety of patients suffering with Lymphedema.
Unfortunately, the decision of the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) to change the training requirements for Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs), and allow the entire 135-hour certification course for CLTs to be taught virtually, without certified instructors being physically present, including the hands-on practical lab work (!), has led to the development of Lymphedema training schools offering virtual, or hybrid Lymphedema certification courses, which cannot be supported by responsible educators and training institutes.
My respected colleague Steve Norton, Founder, and director of the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy, and I have never supported this development and voiced our opposition on this concerning issue in an article published in November 2021, which was applauded by the vast majority of the Lymphedema Community.
Steve Norton and I agree that the manual techniques used in the treatment of Lymphedema are highly specialized and cannot be compared to any other techniques a therapist has learned and practiced in their earlier education and patient interaction. A live practical directive from certified instructors and feedback from student peers on tactile input is essential in building hands-on skills for lymphedema therapists.
In November of 2022 I joined the faculty of the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy and look forward to meaningful cooperation in support of quality Lymphedema certification; we believe that live hands-on training in schools specialized in the training and certification of CLTs remains the only effective and responsible system for developing the necessary manual skills to treat this disease.
Joachim (Joe) Zuther
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