| FAQ
ANSWERS |
| Q: |
What
makes the Norton School of Lymphatic
Therapy different from other
lymphedema certification programs? |
| A: |
While
other lymphedema certification
programs may share a common origin
with the Norton School as they
are also based on the Foeldi Method
of Complete Decongestive Therapy
(CDT), the Norton School has the
field's most experienced faculty,
conducts trainings at the nation's
most prominent healthcare facilities,
and delivers the most current lymphedema
therapy curriculum. Many of the
field's leading authorities consider
the Norton School to be the program
of choice for lymphedema therapy
training.
Norton School faculty members
possess an unmistakable passion
for teaching CDT and draw upon
a wealth of experience in the field
of lymphedema therapy to deliver
the most current and relevant information
to students. Our instructors and
assistants are themselves current
and expert clinician specialists
and are secondarily academicians.
We firmly believe this tangible,
hands-on knowledge-base builds
an exceptional foundation for our
educators. From our Executive Director,
Primary Instructors, Associate
Instructors, and Special Guest
Presenters to our internationally-renowned
Medical Director, Norton School
faculty members are the most knowledgeable
and experienced experts in the
field of lymphology and state-of-the-art
lymphedema management techniques.
Our faculty members occupy many
leadership positions on professional
boards and committees in the field.
They demonstrate a depth-of-knowledge,
level of involvement, and enthusiasm
that is readily apparent from the
moment a Norton School course begins.
It is therefore no surprise that
our alumni report unparalleled
educational experiences far surpassing
those of other professional continuing
education courses. Our mission
is to thoroughly prepare our graduates
to proficiently handle the most
challenging lymphedema patient
cases. Our vast network of alumni
will readily confirm that Norton
School courses not only meet but
far exceed that goal. |
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| Q: |
What
type of lymphedema treatment
does the Norton School teach? |
| A: |
The Norton
School of Lymphatic Therapy teaches
the Foeldi Method. This method, known
as Complete Decongestive Therapy
(CDT), is considered the "Gold
Standard" of therapy for lymphedema
and is endorsed by the International
Society of Lymphology (ISL) in its
Consensus Document. |
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| Q: |
Does
this course incorporate the Vodder
technique? |
| A: |
Yes. However,
the Vodder technique alone is not
lymphedema therapy. The Complete
Decongestive Therapy system and its
four components make up true lymphedema
therapy. Professor Michael Foeldi,
MD and Ethel Foeldi, MD were the
first practitioners to systematically
use the Vodder technique for the
treatment of lymphedema and are also
the originators of CDT. The Norton
School curriculum is based on the
most up-to-date research in the field
of lymphedema and incorporates the
four components of CDT: (1) Manual
Lymph Drainage, (2) Compression Therapy,
(3) Remedial Exercises, (4) Skin
Care. |
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| Q: |
Who
is eligible to take a lymphedema
certification course? |
| A: |
The following
professionals are eligible to become
certified lymphedema therapists:
PTs, PTAs, OTs, OTAs, RNs, MDs, DOs,
ATCs, DCs, and MTs. MTs must have
completed a minimum 500 hour training
program or be nationally certified. |
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| Q: |
What
does it mean to become a certified
lymphedema therapist? |
| A: |
Upon completion
of a Norton School certification
course, graduates receive an internationally-recognized
diploma and are fully certified in
the treatment of lymphedema. This
certification, along with the school's
comprehensive curriculum, fully prepares
Norton School alumni to sit for the
Lymphology Association of North America (LANA®) Examination®. |
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| Q: |
What
is the importance of LANA certification
and what does it entail? |
| A: |
LANA® certification
signifies that a lymphedema therapist
has received training from a reputable
lymphedema certification school and
has furthermore chosen to become
a true specialist in the field of
lymphedema therapy. To become LANA®
certified a therapist must complete
an approved certification course
such as that offered by the Norton
School,
and must pass the LANA® national
certification examination. Becoming
LANA® certified entitles a therapist
to add the credentials CLT-LANA to
his or her name, thereby further
distinguishing the therapist's professional
background. LANA®'s mission is to
support standards of training and
education that are based on sound
scientific theories and universally-accepted
treatment approaches. This standardization
provides a foundation upon which
Medicare and the private health insurance
industry can establish consistent reimbursement guidelines. Standardization
also serves to improve the quality
and availability of lymphedema patient
care by assuring high quality and
consistent methodology. |
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| Q: |
Why
do massage therapists take the
course? |
| A: |
As an
approved NCBTMB Category A continuing
education provider, the Norton School
of Lymphatic Therapy is on the vanguard
of lymphedema treatment and management.
Upon becoming a Certified Lymphedema
Therapist (CLT), a massage therapist
has significantly advanced his or
her training and is now uniquely
qualified to work in challenging
clinical settings centered around
the cutting-edge field of lymphedema
management. Many MTs become certified
through the Norton School's program
in order to specialize in medical
massage. MTs are confident in the
professional value of the Norton
School's training program as the
course's CEUs are approved by the
NCBTMB. The Norton School of Lymphatic
Therapy is the premier school for
lymphedema education and numerous
massage therapists have garnered
invaluable knowledge and tools from
the program in order to advance their
professional careers. |
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| Q: |
What
are the general objectives of
the course? |
| A: |
Each Norton
School student is trained in the
four components of Complete Decongestive
Therapy. Upon completion of the class,
Norton School graduates will be able
to differentiate between a variety
of peripheral edemas and will have
the ability to understand the application,
medical indications, and contraindications
for MLD and CDT. They will also be
able to establish a CDT treatment
plan for individuals with primary
or secondary lymphedema and perform
the indicated treatment. |
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| Q: |
What
are the specific topics taught
in the course? |
| A: |
1. |
|
Anatomy,
physiology and pathophysiology
of the lymphatic system |
2. |
|
Basic techniques
and sequences of Manual Lymph
Drainage (Vodder technique) |
3. |
|
Indications
and contraindications of Manual
Lymph Drainage and Complete
Decongestive Therapy |
4. |
|
Treatment of
primary and secondary lymphedema |
5. |
|
Lymphedema bandaging
techniques for upper and lower
extremities |
6. |
|
Remedial lymphedema
exercises |
7. |
|
Hygienic skin
and nail care for lymphedema |
8. |
|
Measuring and
fitting techniques for lymphedema
support garments |
9. |
|
Patient evaluation
and weekly measuring (circumference
and volume) |
10. |
|
Home maintenance
and self-treatment for lymphedema |
11. |
|
Medical billing
and reimbursement for clinical
lymphedema management |
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| Q: |
Does
the Norton School offer CEUs
(Continuing Education Units)? |
| A: |
Yes. Graduates
in the following professions are
eligible for CEUs: PTs, PTAs, OTs,
COTAs, Nurses, and MTs. CEUs are
issued through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the Florida Physical
Therapy Association (FPTA), and the
National Certification Board for
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
(NCBTMB) (Category A). FPTA CEUs
are nationally recognized throughout
the field of physical therapy. |
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| Q: |
Do
insurance companies reimburse
practicing therapists for lymphedema
treatment? |
| A: |
Yes. Lymphedema
therapy is billed using standard
physical and occupational therapy
codes, just as any other condition
requiring rehabilitation therapy.
Reimbursement issues are covered
in the course. Additionally, all
Norton School alumni are eligible
for reimbursement consultation services
either through informal mentoring
channels or through structured reimbursement
training programs. |
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| Q: |
What
do I get when I enroll? |
| A: |
1. |
|
comprehensive
Norton School course manual |
2. |
|
"Textbook
of Lymphology" textbook
by M. Foeldi |
3. |
|
upper extremity
exercise video |
4. |
|
lower extremity
exercise video |
5. |
|
genital lymphedema
treatment video |
6. |
|
three-section
general information video regarding
lymphedema therapy |
7. |
|
upper extremity
bandage kit |
8. |
|
lower extremity
bandage kit |
9. |
|
portfolio of
most recent product information
literature |
10. |
|
BSN-Jobst Elvarex
compression garment certification |
11. |
|
lifetime listing
in the Norton School therapist
referral database |
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| Q: |
How
do I enroll for an upcoming
course? |
| A: |
Prospective
students should submit a completed
registration form along with a copy
of his or her professional license
or diploma and the appropriate deposit.
The deposit will hold a spot in the
desired course until the full amount
of tuition is received. Detailed
enrollment information is available
on the registration form. Please
visit the Registration
Page to begin the registration
process. |
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| Q: |
When
is it too late to enroll for
a course? |
| A: |
We can
accept registrations as late as 12
noon Eastern time on the Monday
before a course begins. This allows
us to ship the Home Study Course
for Tuesday delivery. |
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| Q: |
What
are the class times and schedule? |
| A: |
Class hours are 8:00am–7:00pm, Saturday through the following Sunday. |
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| Q: |
What
kind of advance preparation
is expected? |
| A: |
Upon registration,
the Home Study Course is sent to
each student. This portion of the
training consists of a Home Study
Course manual, video tape, and lymphology
textbook. 45 hours
of home study are expected of each
student prior to the first day of
class. The Home Study Course provides
each student with an opportunity
to develop a more extensive knowledge
of the anatomy and physiology of
the lymphatic system and ultimately
facilitates a smooth commencement
and progression of the classroom
training. The Home Study must be completed prior to the commencement of the live class. |
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| Q: |
What
are the course attendance requirements? |
| A: |
100% attendance
of each participant is expected.
Students missing more than five hours
of the class may not be permitted
to take the final exam and may be
unable to receive a certificate of
completion. However, extenuating
circumstances will be considered. |
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