Frequently asked questions
Two sets of answers: one if you are looking for an MLD therapist, one if you are one.
I'm looking for a therapist I'm an MLD therapist
For patients
What does "verified" actually mean on this register?
It means we have checked two documents for that therapist: an MLD training certificate from a recognized school, and a current professional insurance document. The dates of those checks are shown on the profile. It does not mean we have assessed their clinical skill, and it is not an endorsement by the NHS or anyone else. Our full verification standard is published for anyone to read.
Is The MLD Register part of the NHS, or a charity, or a training school?
No. We are an independent register run by Truly Empowered Ltd, funded by therapist membership fees. We have no connection with, or endorsement from, the NHS, CQC, any charity, any professional body or any training school.
How do I choose between therapists?
Start with the fit: their training level, whether they state experience with your situation (for example post-surgery recovery or lymphedema), location, home visits and fees. The profile flags and filters are built for exactly this. For anything medical, involve your medical team in the decision and always follow their advice.
Does it cost me anything to use the register?
No. Searching, profiles, Check a Therapist and all guides are free for the public, with no account needed. The register is funded by therapists' membership fees.
Where do profile ratings come from?
Two clearly labelled sources, never combined. A Google rating on a profile is displayed live from that therapist's own Google listing and links straight to it. Client reviews are collected here through our own Review system: reviewers choose how their name appears, and genuine, lawful reviews are published whatever the rating while the member has enabled review display and the profile is public. The member can hide the entire review section. Therapists can reply publicly to any review.
Can MLD treat my condition?
We are careful here, deliberately. MLD is a specialized technique used, among other things, within lymphedema care and by people recovering after surgery, but this register does not make treatment claims and a listing is not a promise of results. Discuss whether MLD is appropriate for you with your GP, consultant or specialist nurse, and always follow their advice.
What if a therapist I found elsewhere is not on the register?
It does not mean they are unqualified; many good therapists have not joined yet. Ask them which recognized MLD school they trained with, to what level, and whether they hold current insurance.
How do I raise a concern about a therapist on the register?
Use our Complaints Procedure. We investigate breaches of our Code of Conduct and outcomes can include removal from the register. For emergencies contact 999; for possible crimes, the police.
Why do some results say "Featured"?
Featured members pay for more prominent placement, and we label it clearly wherever it appears. Featured placement never changes what is checked: every member on the register meets the identical verification standard.
Why does The MLD Register exist?
The MLD Register was born from first-hand experience within our family. When specialist postoperative MLD was needed, identifying an appropriately qualified and independently verified therapist with clear, procedure-specific information, recognized training, professional insurance and reviews proved far more difficult than it should have been. Drawing on more than 20 years' sector experience empowering therapists and health professionals, we created the independent register we needed ourselves. Read the full story.
For therapists
Who can join?
Any practitioner who provides accepted MLD training evidence (Vodder, Klose, the Academy of Lymphatic Studies, the Norton School, Chikly, ILWTI or Aftercare Academy) and current professional insurance covering their declared MLD practice. Acceptance is program-specific. Verification is manual and the standard is published in full.
How are you different from an MLD association?
The MLD Register is built for patients. It is where someone who needs MLD finds a therapist in their area whose profile shows the procedures they have supported, and then chooses between them, with fees, home-visit availability and verified training all in one place and free to search. Behind that page sits our checking. Before a therapist is listed we review their MLD training certificate from a recognized school and their current professional insurance, and the dates of those checks are shown on the profile. When a document is due to renew, we remind the therapist in advance and check the new one, so what patients see stays current. A place on the Register sits alongside any professional membership you already hold.
What documents do I need?
Two: your MLD training certificate and your current insurance schedule. Optionally, your latest refresher or update certificate, which earns the public "Revalidated" chip if dated within 24 months. Phone photos are fine as long as they are legible.
How long does joining take?
About two minutes to sign up and reserve your place (no payment is taken today), then around ten minutes in your dashboard to add your practice details and upload your documents. We review within a few working days of your documents arriving, and once approved your profile is ready for our public launch.
How much does it cost?
Founding Membership is six months free, then $19 a month. No payment is taken when you apply. You enter your card details to reserve your place, and nothing is charged before your profile goes live. Your $19 monthly rate remains while your membership stays continuously active. There are 150 founding places, shared across the UK and US. Apply by October 16, 2026 to claim one, while places remain. Everything is on the pricing page; we publish every price.
What if you cannot verify my documents?
We explain what is missing or unclear and give you 14 days to resolve it. If it still cannot be verified, your reserved place is simply released and nothing has been charged.
Do you guarantee inquiries or rankings?
No. Membership includes a verified profile, relevant town pages, structured data, patient guides and your own profile statistics so you can judge the results, but it does not guarantee inquiries, indexing, search rankings or inclusion in AI-generated results. And nothing is charged before your profile goes live.
Can I be listed in more than one town?
Yes. You can list multiple practice locations and you will appear in results and town pages for each, ordered by distance like everyone else.
How does the badge work?
It is a live embed for your website: one copy-paste, links to your register entry, and shows your current verified status. If your membership ever lapses, the badge expires automatically, which is precisely why it is worth something while it is live.
Will this replace my Google reviews?
No. Keep collecting Google reviews exactly as you do now. Your profile can display your live Google rating and review count, clearly labelled and linked to your Google listing, alongside the client reviews collected here. The two are shown separately and never merged.
How does the Review system work?
You choose whether to display reviews, after reading the guidance for your professional memberships. When review display is on and your profile is public, you have a review page and printable QR code at no extra cost. Clients freely consent and choose how their name appears: full name, initials or anonymous. Genuine, lawful reviews are published whatever the rating. You can reply publicly or hide the entire review section. Individual reviews can be removed for defined privacy and policy reasons, never for being critical.
How does billing work?
Membership is billed monthly, on the same day each month, to the card saved with Stripe. Founding members get six months free, then $19 a month. No payment is taken when you apply. Your free period starts the day your profile goes live, and your first payment is taken after it; we email you 14 and 3 days before it. Founding rates never rise while your membership stays continuously active.
How do I cancel, and what about refunds?
Once your membership is live, cancel any time in one click from your dashboard's Billing page; your membership runs to the end of its paid month. Before then, simply reply to any of our emails and we'll release your reservation - nothing is ever charged. You can also cancel within 14 days of your first monthly charge for a full refund of that charge.
I do not have a website - can you help?
Yes. Members get 25% off the setup fee and hosting for a Therapy Webgenie website, built and managed for you by the founder's web team under separate Therapy Webgenie terms. Your register profile and your website then link to each other. Already have a site you like? Your profile links to that instead.
Does the register handle my client bookings or take commission?
No. Inquiries go straight to your inbox and clients deal with you directly. We take no commission on anything; membership fees are our only income from members.