The London School of Massage offers professional massage training and complementary therapy courses.
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The London School of Massage offers professional massage training and complementary therapy courses.
Contact us to learn more about our courses, events, and industry news.
The two-day Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage and Sculpting course at London School of Massage provides practical training for qualified massage therapists, sports massage therapists and eligible bodywork practitioners.
Brazilian Manual Lymphatic Drainage, commonly referred to as Brazilian MLD or Brazilian lymphatic massage, combines rhythmic drainage-inspired movements with faster sculpting and contouring techniques.
Students learn how to structure full-body and targeted treatments using appropriate pressure, rhythm, direction and sequencing. Training includes lymphatic anatomy, client consultation, contraindications, treatment planning, body sculpting techniques, professional photography protocols and aftercare.
The course is delivered through tutor demonstrations, supervised partner practice and ongoing practical assessment. Students receive individual feedback on technique, pressure, positioning, treatment flow, client comfort and professional safety.
Important: This course teaches non-medical aesthetic and wellbeing bodywork. It does not qualify students to diagnose or manage lymphoedema, treat surgical complications or replace medical post-operative care.
| Course name | Brazilian Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Sculpting Course |
| Alternative names | Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Course, Brazilian MLD Course and Brazilian Lymphatic Massage Course |
| Course type | Accredited Continuing Professional Development course |
| Course duration | Two practical training days |
| Suitable for | Qualified massage therapists, sports massage therapists and eligible bodywork practitioners |
| Entry qualification | Recognised Level 3 RQF qualification in Massage, Sports Massage or an accepted equivalent |
| Training format | Face-to-face practical classroom training |
| Practical training | Brazilian lymphatic drainage, body sculpting, contouring and full-body treatment sequencing |
| Theory training | Lymphatic anatomy, consultation, contraindications, treatment planning, professional scope and aftercare |
| Treatment areas | Abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, legs, back, arms and upper body |
| Treatment length | Full 60–90-minute treatments and shorter targeted applications |
| Course materials | Electronic coursebook and digital certificate |
| Assessment | Ongoing practical assessment throughout both training days |
| Formal examination | No separate written or external practical examination |
| Certification | Accredited London School of Massage CPD certificate, subject to meeting the required practical standard |
| Accreditation | BCMA, IGCT and IICT |
| CPD points | 14 CPD points |
| Professional use | Integration into an existing insured massage, aesthetic or wellbeing practice |
| Clinical limitation | Does not qualify students to treat or manage lymphoedema or surgical complications |
| Training location | London School of Massage, Caledonian Road near King’s Cross |
| Progression | Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Maderotherapy, Cellulite Massage, Scar Therapy Massage and related aesthetic massage training |
| Booking | Students can enrol through the Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage and Sculpting course page |
Brazilian lymphatic drainage is generally faster and more rhythmical than traditional Manual Lymphatic Drainage. It combines drainage-inspired movements with massage strokes intended to create a temporary more defined and contoured appearance.
Students train in how to apply the techniques safely within a non-medical aesthetic and wellbeing setting.
The course covers:
The course is suitable for qualified:
Students who do not yet hold an eligible professional qualification should first complete the VTCT (ITEC) Level 3 Diploma in Massage.
Qualified practitioners can also explore the full range of massage courses for qualified therapists.
Traditional Manual Lymphatic Drainage generally uses slow, lighter and precise movements with no oil. It is taught as a gentle structured method following superficial lymphatic pathways.
Brazilian Manual Lymphatic Drainage is usually faster and more continuous. It may use light oil or lotion and combines drainage-inspired techniques with body contouring and sculpting movements.
Qualified therapists interested in the slower traditional approach can view the Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage course.
Neither short CPD course qualifies a practitioner to diagnose, treat or manage medical lymphoedema.
The course develops the practical and professional skills required to provide structured Brazilian lymphatic drainage and body sculpting treatments.
Students learn:
Practical training includes:
Students train in techniques for the:
Training includes:
Results vary between clients and any visible change should be described as temporary rather than guaranteed.
Students learn how to structure:
Training covers:
The course may discuss procedures such as:
These procedures are covered from a safety, contraindication, timing and referral perspective.
Students are not trained to diagnose complications or provide medical post-operative treatment. Clients who have undergone surgery or injectable procedures must have appropriate clearance from their surgeon or medical practitioner before massage is considered.
Treatment must not be provided over unhealed wounds, infection, acute inflammation, unexplained swelling or areas of medical concern.
Where appropriate and with specific consent, students learn how to:
Clients must never be pressured to consent to photography.
Students learn:
Students should hold a recognised Level 3 RQF qualification in:
The qualification should include appropriate Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology.
Applicants must also:
Students without an eligible qualification may attend only with prior approval and may receive a certificate of attendance rather than the accredited practitioner CPD certificate.
Anyone unsure about eligibility should contact London School of Massage and provide a copy of their qualification before booking.
Students work as both therapist and model during the course.
They should be prepared to practise and receive techniques on the abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, legs, back, arms and other suitable body areas using professional draping and consent procedures.
Students with pregnancy, recent surgery, unexplained swelling, active inflammation, circulatory conditions, skin conditions or another health concern that may affect participation should contact the school before enrolling.
There is no separate written examination or external practical examination.
Assessment takes place continuously throughout both training days through:
Students must demonstrate the required practical competence before the accredited CPD certificate is awarded.
Successful students receive a London School of Massage Brazilian Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Sculpting CPD certificate.
The course is accredited or approved by BCMA, IGCT and IICT and carries 14 CPD points. Further information is available on the school’s Accreditations and Approvals page.
This is an accredited CPD course rather than an Ofqual-regulated qualification. Students must hold an appropriate underlying massage qualification and obtain suitable professional therapist insurance before offering the treatment commercially.
Students attending without an eligible qualification may receive a certificate of attendance rather than the accredited practitioner CPD certificate.
The certificate does not qualify practitioners to treat medical lymphoedema or provide medical post-operative care.
Qualified therapists may integrate Brazilian lymphatic drainage and sculpting techniques into an existing insured practice where the treatment falls within their qualifications, competence and professional scope.
The treatment may complement work in:
Therapists must provide accurate information, avoid guaranteed outcomes and maintain suitable consultation, consent, hygiene, record keeping and referral procedures.
Brazilian MLD should not be marketed as:
Suitable progression options include:
Qualified practitioners can also review the complete range of advanced and CPD massage courses.
Brazilian Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Sculpting is a specialist massage approach that combines lymphatic drainage-inspired techniques with contouring and sculpting movements. It is commonly used in aesthetic and wellbeing settings to support relaxation, fluid movement, tissue comfort and a temporary more contoured appearance.
Learners must hold an Ofqual-accredited Level 3 Diploma in Massage or equivalent. Students without this qualification may attend but will only receive a Certificate of Attendance instead of an accredited course certificate.
Brazilian MLD is commonly booked for both wellbeing and aesthetic goals. Potential benefits include:
You will learn lymphatic anatomy, lymph pathways, drainage stations, consultation, contraindications, Brazilian MLD techniques, sculpting strokes, sequencing, treatment planning, hygiene, aftercare, record keeping and how to adapt the treatment safely for different clients.
Traditional Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle, slow, clinical technique designed to support lymph flow and help manage swelling/oedema, using very light skin-stretch movements. Brazilian lymphatic drainage is typically a faster, more continuous style that blends lymphatic strokes with body sculpting/contouring techniques and is often marketed for “de-bloating” and aesthetic results.
Brazilian MLD commonly uses oils to support longer, continuous strokes, while traditional MLD uses little to no oil.
Traditional MLD is usually slower, lighter and more clinical in style. Brazilian MLD is often faster, more rhythmic and combines drainage-inspired techniques with body sculpting and contouring movements. Brazilian MLD is usually used in aesthetic and wellbeing settings rather than medical lymphoedema treatment.
Brazilian MLD may be used in post-wellness or aesthetic bodywork settings where it is safe and appropriate, but therapists must work within their training, insurance and scope of practice. Post-surgical clients should have medical clearance, and treatment should not be given over unhealed wounds, infections, active inflammation or areas of medical concern.
Procedures such as breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, Brazilian Butt Lift and liposuction will be covered.
These should be taught from a safety, referral and aftercare awareness perspective, with clear guidance that therapists do not diagnose, treat surgical complications or replace medical care.
Yes. The page mentions Botox and dermal fillers. Students should learn when massage or drainage work may need to be avoided, delayed or modified after aesthetic procedures and when clients should be referred back to their medical or aesthetic practitioner.
Brazilian MLD and Sculpting may support relaxation, temporary reduction in puffiness, body awareness, tissue comfort and a more contoured appearance for some clients. It should not be described as a guaranteed weight loss, detox or medical swelling treatment.
Brazilian MLD is often performed with a light oil or lotion to allow smoother sculpting movements. Products should be simple, non-irritating and suitable for the client’s skin. Therapists should check allergies, skin sensitivity and contraindications before treatment.
No. There are no formal exams. Students are assessed through in-class observation, supervised practical work and tutor feedback. A CPD certificate is issued when the required competencies have been met.
Contraindications include infection, fever, unexplained swelling, suspected blood clot, active cancer treatment considerations, severe circulatory problems, unhealed wounds, recent surgery without clearance, skin irritation, acute inflammation and any condition requiring medical referral.
Yes. The course is listed as accredited by BCMA, IGCT and IICT and provides 14 CPD points. Students should check with their insurance provider before offering Brazilian MLD and Sculpting professionally.
Qualified therapists may integrate Brazilian MLD and Sculpting techniques into their existing massage, wellbeing or aesthetic practice after completing the course, subject to appropriate insurance, professional scope of practice and safe clinical judgement.
London School of Massage has been delivering professional massage and complementary therapy training since 1994 and has trained over 30,000 students. This course is taught by experienced lecturers with professional knowledge of massage, lymphatic anatomy, aesthetic bodywork, contraindications, client safety and hands-on practice.
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CMA, BCMA, IGCT & IICT Accredited Course
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