Learn Manual Lymphatic Drainage in
NEW YORK
A course for Massage Therapists, curated by a Massage Therapist.
We are excited to introduce our upcoming lymphatic drainage course designed specifically for Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs)*.
This course will cover both the Macro and Micro components of the lymphatic system, equipping you with valuable skills in 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.
The hybrid course format will include engaging online lectures alongside hands-on practical education in-person.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) Course 55 hours — Winter/Spring 2026
Virtual Lecture Phase (Live via Zoom)
Dates: Mondays & Tuesdays, February 23 & 24, 2026
3/2 & 3
3/ 9 & 10
3/ 16 & 17
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET (3 hrs / night)
Cumulative: 25 hours
Attendance: Live participation is required; 2 absences allowed**, but students must make up time by rewatching class recorded live video, quiz and written assignment.
In-Person Intensive (CATA, New York City)
Dates: Tuesday, March 24 - Friday, March 27 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Cumulative: 30 hours
Total Cumulative Time: 55 Hours
Tuition
$1,000
$250 Deposit Payment is non-refundable.
Payment Plans will be made available - 1/2 Due Before Virtual Series; Full tuition Due before Day 1 of Hands-on
Instructor Credentials
Course creator Samantha Oetting, LMT, MLD-C, BCTMB is licensed in Michigan and in good standing with the NCBTMB.
*This course is exclusively for Licensed Massage Therapists in good standing.
What Makes Our MLD Course Different
Designed for busy massage professionals, this hybrid program delivers only the essentials you need—exactly when you need them. You’ll get:
Flexible scheduling (evening Zoom lectures + a focused four-day intensive) that fits around client hours.
Ready-to-use skills so you can start booking MLD sessions the day you earn your certificate.
Business-building modules on pricing, marketing, and documentation to turn new expertise into revenue.
Real-world case studies from an instructor who practices MLD daily and knows what really works.
Client-centered strategies that help you integrate MLD seamlessly into treatment plans and grow your practice.
This is Certification Course to be issued by Samantha Oetting. Students must pass a written and hands on practical exam to demonstrate competency in A&P, Pathologies, Contraindications, and Hands-On Service. Upon completion you will receive (2) Certificates of Completion - 25 Hours for Webinar/Distance Learning; and 30 Hours for Live Hands-On. To receive full Certification you must complete both portions of this training.
Accreditation Transparency + Instructor Introduction
I believe in full transparency with every student who chooses to learn from me. The 55-Hour Manual Lymphatic Drainage Certification Course (Vodder-inspired) is currently pending NCBTMB Approved Provider accreditation. All required curriculum materials were submitted at the end of November, and the NCBTMB quoted a 6–8 week review window, with the possibility of slight delays due to the holidays.
Based on this timeline, we anticipate approval will be secured by the time this NYC course concludes on March 27. If approval is delayed, all eligible students will receive retroactive CE credit (55 hours) immediately upon accreditation, as permitted by NCBTMB.
Important Note on Scope of Practice
The absence of CE credits or NCBTMB approval at the moment of the course does not impact the validity or integrity of this training. It also does not prevent you, as a Licensed Massage Therapist, from safely practicing Manual Lymphatic Drainage. MLD is fully within the scope of practice for LMTs, including those practicing in New York.
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 for 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
In addition to my hands-on clinical work, I:
Formerly taught MLD for a national massage education organization
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
What This Course Covers
This training provides a thorough and practical foundation in Manual Lymphatic Drainage, including:
General full-body MLD techniques
Lymphatic physiology & functional anatomy
Client communication, education, and safety
Contraindications & red-flag awareness
Basic protocols for special populations, including:
Post-operative clients (introductory—not an advanced post-op course)
Oncology-informed support
Prenatal adjustments and considerations
Important Clarification
This is not an advanced post-operative training. However, it does equip you with the essential basic post-op protocols you need to safely and confidently work with clients who will inevitably present after cosmetic or medical procedures. This course is built to help you feel competent, prepared, and capable in real clinical scenarios.
Why Offer This Course Now?
Demand for skilled lymphatic practitioners is rising rapidly. Waiting for accreditation to finalize would delay learning opportunities for LMTs and limit support for the clients who urgently need this work. With clear scope-of-practice alignment and a structured, comprehensive curriculum, you can safely integrate these techniques into your work right away.
Throughout the NCBTMB approval process, I will keep all enrolled students fully informed. Your trust matters to me, and transparency is integral to my teaching philosophy.
