I’m Petra Erving, I want to give you a little bit of information and background as to what led me into the somewhat unknown world of lymphoedema. To be honest, it was a bit by chance but a great opportunity, all the same.
Following the birth of my daughter I decided to retrain in Sports Therapy and after qualifying in 2002, went to work in a Physiotherapy & Sports Injury clinic in Belfast.
In 2006, while still working in the physio clinic, I went to Ann Arbor in Michigan, USA to train in treating Problematic Scarring. Now, a well-recognised therapy in UK, back then Scar Tissue work was unheard of and the reason for my going to the States.
As part of the training I had to learn about the Lymphatic System and of Manual Lymphatic Drainage, something I’d never come across before. It was an integral part of treating problematic scar tissue and I was fascinated in this amazing, wonderful body system and of how such a gentle therapy like Manual Lymphatic Drainage could move fluid around the body.
Two years later in 2008, I decided to attain my lymphoedema certification. I knew this was a better-known treatment AND I could use my Scar Tissue Release skills alongside. Plus, I now had a much more in-depth knowledge about the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the lymphatic system.
By now I had my own private practice in County Down, Northern Ireland where I treated primary and secondary lymphoedema and patients with postoperative swelling.
In 2011, wanting to expand my knowledge and work with more complex patients, I left Northern Ireland and worked as a Lymphoedema Therapist in St Georges Hospital in Tooting, London. I moved from there to Meadow House Hospice in Ealing Hospital in the latter part of 2011 alongside joining London Bridge Plastic Surgery in Wimpole Street, London, where I integrated MLD/Lymphatic Drainage into the patient postoperative care package. I remained in both Meadow House and LBPS for 4 years, leaving to set up Medical Therapies in 2015.
In 2015, I was based in Maidenhead, Berkshire where I specialised in the treatment of Primary and Secondary Lymphoedema and in reducing Postoperative Swelling and Problematic Scar Tissue. Now, in 2019, I am consulting in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Certificate in Sports Therapy
Certificate in Myofascial Release - John Barnes method
Certificate in Anatomy Trains and Advanced Myofascial Release Techniques
Certificate in the treatment of Problematic and Postoperative Scarring
Lymph Drainage Therapy pt 1: Bruno Chikley
Lymph Drainage Therapy pt 2: Bruno Chikely
Certification in Complete Decongestive Therapy and Manual Lymphatic Drainage through Klose Training and Consulting in conjunction with Foeldi Clinic
Advanced Review and Update of CDT/MLD at Foeldi Clinic, Germany
Advanced Review and Update of CDT/MLD at Foeldi Clinic, Germany
K-Taping - Haddenham Healthcare
Advanced Review and Update of CDT/MLD at Foeldi Clinic, Germany
Advanced Review and Update of CDT/MLD at Foeli Clinic, Germany
Scientific Back Training - CHEK Institute