Manual Lymphatic Drainage Training in
CHICAGO
A course for Massage Therapists, curated by a Massage Therapist.
Vodder-European Method Course
55 CE hours — SUMMER 2027
The hybrid course format will include engaging online lectures
alongside hands-on practical education in-person.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Course Dates
Virtual Lecture Phase (Live via Zoom)
Dates:Mondays & Tuesdays*, and ONE (1) Sunday
Monday, June 7 (only)
June 14 & 15
June 21 & 22
June 28 & 29
*Monday, July 5 (only)
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET (3 hrs / night)
60 Min. Written Exam (in-person)
Cumulative: 25 hours
In-Person Intensive (College of DuPage, Chicagoland Area)
Dates:Tuesday, July 6 to Friday, July 9, 2027
Time: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM*
Cumulative: 30 hours
Total Cumulative Time: 55 Hours
Tuition
$1,250
$375 Deposit Payment is non-refundable.
Payment Plans will be made available - Full tuition Due before Day 1 of Hands-on
This course will cover both the Macro and Micro components of the lymphatic system, equipping you with valuable skills in Vodder Method lymphatic drainage techniques. You will not only gain confidence in your new skill set but also acquire essential business acumen to introduce this specialized service into your practice.
What Makes Our MLD Course Different
Designed for busy massage professionals, this hybrid program delivers exactly what you need — no fluff, no filler.
Flexible scheduling — Evening Zoom lectures, plus a focused four-day intensive that fits around your client hours
Practice-ready skills — Start booking MLD sessions the day you earn your certificate
Real clinical insight — Case studies from an instructor who practices MLD daily
Seamless treatment planning — Client-centered strategies to integrate MLD and grow your practice
Students must complete both program components and pass written and hands-on practical exams demonstrating competency in A&P, pathologies, contraindications, and hands-on technique. Graduates receive two Certificates of Completion: 25 hours (Webinar/Distance Learning) and 30 hours (Live Hands-On).
What This Course Covers
A thorough, practical foundation in Manual Lymphatic Drainage:
General full-body MLD techniques
Lymphatic physiology and functional anatomy
Client communication, education, and safety
Contraindications and red-flag awareness
Special population protocols, including, prenatal adaptations, and post-operative breast/chest clients (introductory level — not an advanced post-op course) with oncology-informed support
Accreditation + Instructor Introduction
Samantha Nicole Oetting is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider and is also sponsored by NCBTMB to teach New York LMTs continuing education that is accepted by the state of New York for license renewal. (ID: 1002991)
About Me — Your Instructor
I’m Samantha N. Oetting, BCTMB, LMT, founder and owner of Bodhi Work Massage Therapy in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I’ve been practicing massage over 7 years, with 4 of those years specializing in Manual Lymphatic Drainage. My background includes clinical work in general MLD, advanced post-operative support, oncology-informed care, and prenatal/perinatal massage.
I hold advanced training in:
Oncology Massage
Advanced Post-Operative MLD
Prenatal & Perinatal Massage
Thai Massage
In addition to my hands-on clinical work, I:
Formerly taught MLD for a national massage education organization in various cities across the US including: L.A., NYC, Chicago, Cleveland, and Ann Arbor
Have trained members of my studio team in-house
Led a 2022 Aerial Yoga Teacher Training
Regularly educate clients and community members on lymphatic health
Through years of teaching and clinical practice, I noticed a consistent issue:
Weekend workshops and compressed a 40-hour weeks do not give students enough time to understand, retain, or confidently apply lymphatic techniques. MLD is subtle, precise, physiological, and deeply conceptual—requiring repetition, integration, and time.
That is exactly why I designed this extended 5-week, 55-hour hybrid program: to create a learning environment where practitioners can absorb the material, refine their touch, and build genuine competence rather than rushing through dense content.
My teaching style is:
Science-driven and anatomy-focused
Clear, sequential, and hands-on
Trauma-informed and client-centered
Rooted in building practitioner confidence and clarity