I am a Registered Massage Therapist with over 25 years experience. My practice in Waterdown, Ontario, specializes in Manual Lymph Drainage therapy (MLD) and Lymphedema Therapy.
In 1994, I decided to turn my passion for massage therapy into reality when I joined Kikkawa College, a massage school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Two years later, I graduated from the 2200-hour massage program with honours and set up my massage clinic in Waterdown.
In 2001, I continued training in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) therapy at the Upledger Institute and met Dr Bruno Chikly, MD, developer of the lymph drainage curriculum. Excited about what I learned, I wanted to know more about this important work and continued my training in his curriculum. In the years that followed, I expanded my knowledge by becoming a teaching assistant for LDT I, II, III and ADV1 classes in the lymph drainage curriculum with The Upledger Institute. This gave me further insight and the opportunity to observe how to treat a wider variety of conditions which were presented to me by various patients.
In 2006, I further expanded my training and became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. After over 25 years in practice, I now specialize exclusively in Manual Lymph Drainage therapy with an emphasis on various soft tissue conditions, pre and post-surgical treatment, as well as lymphedema therapy.
The Manual Lymph Drainage training gave me invaluable and extensive knowledge of the lymphatic system. Particularly unique to my training is a technique called "lymph mapping" which allows the practitioner to assess and feel lymph flow. This technique is only taught through the lymph drainage curriculum from Dr. Chikly and is particularly useful when working with lymphedema patients.
The therapist can "map" the lymph flow and follow it as it re-routes through the unaffected areas of the body therefore improving the results of the therapy. After it has been established that the lymph flow is re-routing efficiently, the treatment may be supported by the use of kinesio taping. After the tape is applied, the patient goes home with the tape on their skin and leaves it on for 3-5 days. This further supports the lymph circulation.