Minimum prerequisites for admission to Dr Vodder Ireland MLD courses

UPDATED MARCH 2026

Meadbh Mac Sweeney, Director of The Lymph Clinic, facilitates and teaches a postgraduate course in Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)and Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy (DLT). The post-graduate training offered by the The Lymph Clinic is the only Dr Vodder certified programme on Manual Lymph Drainage in Ireland and Meadbh is the only certified teacher in the country.

Courses are open to qualified healthcare professionals, e.g. Nurses, Doctors, Physiotherapists, OccupationalTherapists, Physical Therapists, Osteopaths and experienced Massage Therapists (with a min of 260 hours training.)

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

MEDICAL

People with medical training such as doctor, nurse, chiropractor, osteopath, physiotherapist, registered massage therapist with a minimum 500 hours of training are allowed to join Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3.

Level 2 and Level 3 teachers or the organiser must verify these basic qualification entrance requirements of Level 1 applicants before allowing participation in the Level 2 and Level 3 courses. Other professions like naturopath and sports trainer must have at least the 500 hours of training from one institution.

Evidence of the qualification and/or medical registration number need to be submitted with a completed application. Photocopies / scans are acceptable.

People with lower basic qualifications are only allowed to join courses listed below and not allowed to join Level 2 and Level 3. See further below in 7.2.

Health care professionals are also eligible to take Advanced Body and Advanced Neck and Face classes.

AESTHETITIAN COURSES

Eligible to take Level 1, Advanced Body and Advanced Neck and Face.

People with other Esthetician, Massage Therapist or aromatherapist training & qualification(s). The practical (hands on) element of the course must have been in the classroom or supervised for a minimum duration of 250 hours (on-line is not acceptable) from one institution. If home study and/ or case histories formed part of the course, these must have been documented and submitted for assessment by the course provider. The exams must have been taken in person (not remotely on-line) and passed.

The theory (anatomy, physiology and pathology) elements of the course must be for a minimum duration of 94 hours and may be in the classroom or home-study (including on-line). The exams must have been taken in person (not remotely on-line) and passed.

Evidence of qualifications including course hours & delivery method(s) (classroom, home study, case- histories etc.) in the above categories (that is hands on, anatomy, physiology & pathology) must accompany the application. This information can usually be found in the syllabus. Photocopies/ scans are acceptable.

If an applicant no longer has the details, then the course provider(s) may be able to supply a copy or letter of confirmation. Teachers are unable to carry out enquiries or research on behalf of applicants.