Advanced Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT): Clinical Reasoning & Application

Objective Learning Outcomes

Advanced CDT: Clinical Reasoning and Application

Upon completion of this 3-day live, advanced-level course, participants will be able to:

1. Evaluate complex lymphedema presentations by synthesizing advanced assessment findings (e.g., limb volume analysis, tissue quality, fibrosis staging, differential considerations, and comorbidities) to formulate defensible clinical hypotheses and individualized treatment priorities.
2. Design and justify an advanced Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) treatment approach by selecting, modifying, and sequencing techniques including fibrosis management and adjunctive modality use based on pathology, contraindications, precautionary factors, and current evidence to optimize lymphatic flow and tissue response.
3. Demonstrate individualized skilled application of compression strategies, including gold-standard and alternative bandaging materials, multilayer bandaging for upper and lower extremities, pressure gradient principles, and appropriate garment selection to support tissue health and volume management, and long-term self-management.
4. Integrate interdisciplinary referral and risk management principles by identifying clinical red flags, comorbidities, and contraindications requiring coordination of care prior to or during Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT).
5. Design and construct occupation-centered plans of care that synthesize evaluation data, establish measurable functional outcomes, demonstrate skilled intervention progression, and delineate transition criteria to maintenance or self-management phases.
6. Evaluate and apply CPT, ICD-10, and payer-specific reimbursement standards, including provisions of the Lymphedema Treatment Act (LTA), to create compliant documentation that clearly establishes medical necessity, skilled service delivery, and ethical billing practices.
7. Synthesize clinical reasoning, measurement outcomes, and patient response data to revise and defend treatment modifications in simulated case scenarios reflective of complex, chronic, or treatment-resistant lymphatic conditions.

What you’ll be able to do after this course?

Participants build and demonstrate advanced competence in:

• Advanced manual lymphatic techniques for complex and atypical presentations
• Multilayer compression bandaging for limb and truncal involvement
• Advanced limb volume measurement and clinical documentation
• Clinical reasoning to progress and modify CDT interventions safely and effectively

Who this course is for

Licensed clinicians who have completed foundational CDT/CLT education and currently treat (or plan to treat) patients with lymphedema.

If any questions, please email me to set up a call denise@pathways411.com