Joachim Zuther, Lymphedema Specialist.
Dear Friends and Members of the Lymphedema Community!
As many of you know, I founded the Academy of Lymphatic Studies in 1994, which developed an outstanding reputation over the decades for scientifically based instruction in Lymphedema Management. Until 2005, when I decided to sell the school following a diagnosis with a condition that severely impacted my ability to dedicate all my time and energy to effectively lead the Academy, I was at the helm of this institution; however, I never left the Academy and had been a consultant and advisor for the new owners from the time I sold the school.
Unfortunately, the Academy was sold again in recent years, and over time it became apparent that the goals and strategies of the Academy of Lymphatic Studies’ new leadership no longer conform to my personal principles regarding the training and certification of well-educated and qualified Lymphedema Therapists.
Since July 2022 I am no longer associated with the Academy of Lymphatic Studies.
It always was, and still is, my core belief that effectively providing a first-class education in Lymphedema care requires a deep knowledge of, and dedication to the field of lymphology, including vast experience in the treatment of Lymphedema, establishing and upholding meaningful and necessary guidelines for the training of Certified Lymphedema Therapists, maintaining the highest standards in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of Lymphedema, and the willingness to ensure and prioritize the safety of patients suffering with Lymphedema.
Unfortunately, the decision of the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) to change the training requirements for Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs), and allow the entire 135-hour certification course for CLTs to be taught virtually, without certified instructors being physically present, including the hands-on practical lab work (!), has led to the development of Lymphedema training schools offering virtual, or hybrid Lymphedema certification courses, which cannot be supported by responsible educators and training institutes.
My respected colleague Steve Norton, Founder, and director of the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy, and I have never supported this development and voiced our opposition on this concerning issue in an article published in November 2021, which was applauded by the vast majority of the Lymphedema Community.
Steve Norton and I agree that the manual techniques used in the treatment of Lymphedema are highly specialized and cannot be compared to any other techniques a therapist has learned and practiced in their earlier education and patient interaction. A live practical directive from certified instructors and feedback from student peers on tactile input is essential in building hands-on skills for lymphedema therapists.
In November of 2022 I joined the faculty of the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy and look forward to meaningful cooperation in support of quality Lymphedema certification; we believe that live hands-on training in schools specialized in the training and certification of CLTs remains the only effective and responsible system for developing the necessary manual skills to treat this disease.
Joachim (Joe) Zuther
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Joe so sorry to read this as you know I was not only a student of all three of you under Dr Lerner! I applaud you for standing by the promise you have made and look forward to the future!
Nancy Fortin Beadling
Maine
I strongly agreed with Mr Joachim. A good hands on training is by good and well trained instructors is necessary in treating illnesses.
I studied with Guenter and Steve in 1995 and worked with Joe in 1996 in So Florida. The training they provided cannot be duplicated online! My opinion. How will they teach bandaging??? Steve would have us do it.over and over again and he would personally check each limb for the correct technique. None of that can be done online.
Why is LANA doing this?? Are they caving to pressures from hospitals to lower the cost and not have therapists away from their patient loads? It is more than wrong. Thank you for support quality care. I trained with Guenter Klose in 1987 and so appreciated his close supervision. His gentle correction of hand placement, pressure, bandage directions and compression – and his unwillingness to compromise “the right way” – was invaluable and led to positive treatment results. This is beyond sad. Patients will suffer, but that’s not what it is about any more, is it? Shame on you LANA.
I was very fortunate to participate in the live course in 1996 in San Francisco at that time we committed to the entire 4weeks of training. It was one of the most valuable trainings I ever received and I can’t even imagine how a virtual training could be “most effective”.
Best to all-
This is very disturbing news. These changes will negatively impact the health and recovery of generations, making recovery far more difficult.
Well said Joe! I complained of the lack of upholding the original standards of training, back in 2007. I can tell from hiring and training dozens of therapists since 2006, that they could not fly solo as I did when you trained me. I seldom had a question way back when, and I was definitely never confused. These poor students that come from the classes now, even in person for 9 days, are continuously confused and barely perform proper MLD, never mind the bandaging. Thank you for all you have done for us here in the USA! I will always be grateful and will never stoop below your standards. Sincerely and ever so thankful,
Carmen (from Romania)…
As a lymphedema patient who took almost 2 decades to find competent treatment in the medical community this news is very upsetting. I have benefited from bandaging therapy done by a therapist who was properly trained. It can not be taught virtually. Who will the patients be able to trust now ? – shame on you LANA.
Dear Joe, I stand behind you. The first time I saw continuing Ed to be provided online I called the Academy and asked can you possibly agree with this? How can you possibly provide this course online without having hand on opportunity. I stand behind you and I support you 100%! Thank you for taking this move and I am so sad that you had to lose your Academy to online educators.
So sorry to hear this. I learned so much from your certification class, and your great teaching style.
Wishing you the very best
I am forever grateful for the hands on training from the course i took and as well from my Mentor Don Landis PT who was also in one of the first class of the Academy of Lymphatic Studies.. blessings to you on your continued dedication of the proper way to educate new Lymphedema therapists and keeping things going in the right direction for the patients and the therapists.
Sonia E. PTA,CLT
Does anyone have any knowledge or exieturncr wirh KTS syndrome
Thank you
Pat
Eire44@aol.com
That is a great loss for the academy. I always wish you the best Joe. You were my instructor in 1999. Today I have been co-owner of space coast lymphedema clinic for the past 7 years. We have a great reputation in our community, positive outcomes and stellar patient satisfaction. You gave me the education I needed, and it was not easy but well worth it. I too am worried about the manual techniques new students are learning
. We have sent therapists to the academy for work commitment to us. Moving forward we will send to Norton. Good luck Joe.
Fondly and sincerely, Rosanne Bessenaire
Sorry to hear that LANA made such a compromise regarding CLT training. There is no way I could have learned hand placement, appropriate touch/pressure, or bandaging correctly without in person hands-on instruction and practice with a well trained supervisor. Thank you Mr. Zuther for all the you have done and continue to do for the lymphedema and lipedema community!
Joe!
I respect your opinion. I was in your San Francisco class in 1999 taught by you! I must say your training was the best I have taken after graduation in 1991. (#2:McKenzie and #3: Jones Strain Counterstrain). Your thorough training has helped so many patients!! What a ripple effect. You have helped this country more than you know.
I am so glad you are fighting to maintain the standards of the profession. I am all for Telehealth and virtual learning when it is appropriate, but I am concerned that it will become an excuse for insurance companies to limit treatment. Thank you for your dedication and hard work.
Welcome to the Norton School Joe!!! I am in agreement that hands on training is a must. I am thankful for you and Steve’s dedication to a profession that is truly an art form.
I hate to hear this! Thankful for all of your hard work and dedication
You are 100% right. I am glad you can stand up to your principal that you belief
Without the lab component….this online course will be an absolute fail. I took the course 2 years ago… and the hands on experience and instructor feedback is 100% necessary. Stongly disagree with the changes. How can one learn a manual technique via a screen? Lol RIDICULOUS!!!!
Joe, your position is eloquently written and fully supported by this 21-year-CLT-graduate of ACOLS. I remain grateful to my core to have trained with you, Monica, and Trudy back in 2001. Those of us who are passionate about the field of Lymphology should all be devastated and disgusted by this LANA push toward 100% virtual-based certification training for up-and-coming CLT clinicians. I’m happy to hear that you will remain in the lymphedema forefront with Steve Norton. I hope that you both continue to stand your ground and unite us all in a common goal of hands-on training leading to top notch clinicians. Our current and future patients deserve optimal care! Best to you, Tiffany