Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy
Lymph Drainage Massage
for spa and resort clientele
Lymph drainage massage is a unique technique first developed in Europe by Dr. Emil Vodder. Because of his lack of medical credentials, because his work was largely intuitive, he first found an audience in the beauty industry rather than the medical industry. However, his work was eventually accepted as a form of physical therapy used for the treatment of lymphedema disease.
Experience has shown that lymph drainage massage is not only for patients with lymphedema disease; lymph drainage massage is also a perfect technique for helping clients to maintain health and improve the beauty of the skin. Lymph drainage massage also affects the connective tissue, and is profoundly relaxing, making it suitable for body/mind work. This class is open to massage therapists, estheticians, nurses and other health care providers.
- Benefits of lymphatic drainage massage therapy:
- reduces edema, local puffiness
- stimulates a sluggish immune system
- enhances immunity on a cellular level
- enhances the beauty and health of the skin
- nurturing and soothing
- promotes deep relaxation
- speeds healing of injuries
- reduces scar tissue
- Lymphatic drainage massage can be combined with other techniques:
- with cellulite massage
- with sports massage to speed the healing of injuries
- with deep tissue massage to reduce post-session soreness and swelling
- with facials to enhance the skin from the inside and outside
- with body-mind work to produce a deeply relaxed state for inner work
- At Desert Resorts School you will learn a unique lymph drainage massage that:
- can be adapted for use in a spa setting
- can be combined with other services or offered as a stand-alone service
- can be performed with or without emollients
- focuses on maintaining health, rather than treating disease
- Students learn:
- detailed neck and face massage
- treatment sequence for each quadrant of the body
- indications and contraindications
- physiology of the lymphatic system
- health and safety issues
- cellulite massage
How to Register
To register print the enrollment agreement and mail the completed form with payment to the school at the address below. Reservations will not be accepted without payment.
Provider approved by Bureau of Registered Nursing, provider number CEP 10955, for 20 contact hours.
The instructors:
Ramona Moody French is the owner of Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy and has been practicing massage since 1982. She was an instructor at Mueller College in San Diego until 1991 when she moved to the desert to found the Desert Resorts School. She originally learned the Dr. Vodder method of lymph drainage massage. She researched lymphatic drainage massage with Lee Overholser, producing an article published in the AMTA Journal. Ramona went to Beijing four times to study massage in Guang An Men Hospital, and there observed and practiced Chinese lymph drainage massage techniques. She used lymph drainage massage in her private practice in San Diego and has taught the technique at Mueller College, Rocky Mountain School of Massage, the Massage School of Santa Monica, the Sports Massage Training Institute and other institutions. Ramona is the author of Introduction to Lymph Drainage Massage and Milady's Guide to Lymph Drainage Massage.
Mariellen Boss is a practicing massage therapist, esthetician, and aromatherapist who is also an instructor at Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy. She is trained in the Dr. Vodder method of lymphatic drainage massage and she was trained by Elizabeth Rubin in a French style of lymph drainage massage used to stimulate the immune system and enhance health. Mariellen uses the technique in her private practice both in massage and facials.
Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy
2100 N. Palm Canyon C100
Palm Springs CA 92262
Contact Us
800-270-1175 or 760-323-5806