If you're searching for lymphatic massage in San Jose or Los Gatos, chances are you’ve come across dozens of options. You might find lymphatic drainage listed at med spas, wellness centers, or even in home-based setups. But how do you know who’s actually qualified to provide this type of care?
And when it comes to your health, especially if you’re dealing with post-surgical swelling, chronic conditions, or are in recovery, you want to make sure the person working on your body truly understands the medical foundation behind the technique.
In this post, we’ll break down the certifications that matter most when choosing a lymphatic therapy provider, what each one means, and why these credentials matter, especially if you're in the San Jose or Los Gatos area and want care you can trust.
Let’s be clear: lymphatic massage is not the same as traditional massage.
It’s a highly specialized technique that works directly with your immune and circulatory systems. Done correctly, it can help reduce swelling, support healing, improve detoxification, and ease inflammation. Done poorly or by someone without a true understanding of lymphatic anatomy, it can be ineffective at best and risky at worst.
This is why we emphasize working only with providers who hold recognized, medical-based certifications, especially if you’re:
This designation is often used by occupational therapists (OTs), physical therapists (PTs), or registered nurses (RNs) who have completed advanced training in lymphatic drainage. These are licensed healthcare professionals who are already trained in anatomy, pathology, and clinical safety and then go on to complete medical lymphatic therapy education.
Certified Lymphatic Therapists are typically trained to treat:
At InHands Post Operative Recovery, our providers include CLTs who are also credentialed as OTs or nurses. This allows us to treat more complex cases with a full understanding of medical history, surgical recovery, and body systems.
This is considered one of the gold standard credentials in the world of lymphatic therapy. CLT-LANA providers have completed:
CLT-LANA therapists have an in-depth understanding of:
This certification ensures your provider has both advanced training and experience in treating lymphatic disorders in a medically appropriate way. If you’re looking for lymphatic massage in San Jose or Los Gatos and see CLT-LANA after a therapist’s name, you can feel confident that you're in skilled hands.
CCST providers have been trained specifically in complex cosmetic surgery-related therapy, a treatment often used for patients recovering from cosmetic procedures. It includes:
CCST certification goes beyond general lymphatic massage. It prepares clinicians to treat medically fragile or high-risk patients, which makes it particularly valuable in settings like post-operative recovery and rehabilitation.
This credential is typically held by licensed medical professionals, which means you’re not just getting a wellness treatment but medically informed care.
This certification is often offered through reputable institutions like the Academy of Lymphatic Studies (ACOLS). While it’s possible for non-medical providers to receive C-MLD training, at InHands, we only recognize this certification when paired with a healthcare license such as RN, PT, OT, or MD.
Here’s why:
Without a foundation in health science, anatomy, and clinical decision-making, C-MLD training alone isn’t enough to safely care for patients recovering from surgery or managing medical conditions.
When performed by a clinician, C-MLD offers safe, effective lymphatic therapy that supports:
So if you see “C-MLD” in someone’s credentials, it’s important to confirm their medical license as well. Ask if they are a registered nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or other licensed provider. If they are, this credential is a strong sign of advanced training in lymphatic care.
There are dozens of quick, online or in-person courses that market themselves as “lymphatic massage training.” Some take just a few hours to complete. Many of these programs focus on cosmetic or spa-level techniques and lack medical oversight.
These courses may be suitable for a general wellness massage, but they do not provide the depth of training required to care for patients with complex medical needs.
If you’re investing in lymphatic therapy as part of recovery, prevention, or medical support, make sure your provider has a credential that:
At InHands, we’ve built our entire care model around evidence-based lymphatic therapy provided by licensed medical professionals. Our therapists hold advanced certifications including LT, CLT-LANA, and C-MLD and bring years of clinical experience to the table.
We serve patients across San Jose and Los Gatos who are looking for:
Our providers know how to adjust treatment to your unique needs because they’ve been trained to think clinically. You’ll receive care that’s not only gentle and relaxing, but also medically sound and aligned with your body’s healing process.
If you’re searching for lymphatic massage in San Jose or Los Gatos, the most important thing to look for isn’t the price or spa décor. It’s the provider’s qualifications.
Look for these key certifications:
Don’t be afraid to ask your provider where they trained, what conditions they commonly treat, and whether they collaborate with other medical professionals. A well-trained therapist will always be happy to share their credentials and explain how they approach your care.
We’d love to support your recovery, wellness, or maternal care journey with expert, credentialed treatment. Book a session with one of our licensed professionals in San Jose or Los Gatos, and feel confident you’re getting care that’s safe, effective, and tailored to you.
