Petra Erving is the founder of The Aftercare Academy and an experienced clinical educator specialising in postoperative manual lymphatic therapy and recovery support.
With more than two decades of experience across private practice, lymphoedema care, scar therapy, and specialist surgical settings, she developed The Aftercare Academy to help therapists build the knowledge, judgement, and practical skill needed to support postoperative patients safely and responsibly.
A clinically grounded approach to postgraduate therapist education
20+ Years of Experience
A long-standing clinical background shaped by work in healthcare, manual therapy, and postoperative recovery support.
Specialist Practice Experience
Professional experience across lymphoedema management, scar care, private practice, and surgical recovery settings.
Advanced Clinical Training
Postgraduate study in lymphatic therapies and related areas that support safe, informed postoperative care.
Founder and Lead Educator
Creator of The Aftercare Academy and lead educator behind its structured training approach.
Why this work matters
Over the years, Petra recognised a clear gap in training for therapists wanting to work with postoperative patients.
Many had good intentions and some existing manual lymphatic drainage training, but lacked the deeper clinical understanding needed to work safely with a patient group that can present with significant vulnerability, complexity, and risk.
The Aftercare Academy was created to help address that gap through structured education, practical training, and continued professional support.
Petra’s Professional Background
A clinical background shaped by hands-on experience, specialist training, and years of working with patients across lymphatic, scar, and postoperative care.
Early Clinical Foundations
Petra began working in healthcare in 2003 as a sports massage therapist. Early specialist training in problematic scarring introduced her to the lymphatic system and the significant difference appropriate treatment could make for patients living with pain and restriction after surgery.
Lymphoedema Training
In 2008, she completed lymphoedema certification through Klose Training Inc., strengthening her understanding of lymphatic dysfunction and expanding her ability to support patients with greater complexity.
Introduction to Postoperative Care
Her first experience working with postoperative aesthetic plastic surgery patients came in 2010. This revealed that postoperative recovery required much more than technique alone. It demanded a clear understanding of surgical trauma, wound healing, complications, clinical timing, and when treatment needed to be adapted, delayed, or avoided altogether.
Specialist Practice Development
In 2015, Petra opened Medical Therapies London Ltd on Harley Street, where she treated patients from around the world. Her work included those recovering from cancer surgery, living with lymphoedema, and healing after venous and aesthetic plastic surgery.
Broader Service Leadership
That same year, she was invited to provide a lymphoedema service for East Berkshire, helping deliver a broader and more integrated approach for patients with primary and secondary lymphoedema.
Qualifications and Specialist Areas
Lymphoedema Therapy
Certified in Manual Lymph Drainage and Complete Decongestive Therapy through Klose Training in 2008, strengthened Petra’s clinical foundation in lymphatic care.
Scar Therapy
Specialist training in postoperative and post-trauma scar work, strengthening Petra’s understanding of pain, restriction, tissue healing, and recovery after surgery.
Lifestyle & Recovery Support
Certified in Holistic Lifestyle Coaching through the CHEK Institute in 2019 and 2020, strengthening Petra’s understanding of recovery, wellbeing, and patient support.
The Academy Approach
The Aftercare Academy reflects Petra’s belief that postoperative care should be approached with humility, sound clinical reasoning, and a clear understanding of scope.
Therapists do not need more shortcuts or overconfident marketing. They need education that helps them think clearly, assess appropriately, recognise risk, and work in a way that genuinely supports both patient recovery and professional integrity.
That is the standard Petra is committed to building through The Aftercare Academy.
Built from clinical practice, shaped by real patients
Petra’s teaching is grounded not only in formal training, but in years of hands-on work with patients navigating swelling, scarring, discomfort, uncertainty, and recovery after surgery.
That experience continues to shape the way she teaches therapists today: with care, honesty, and a strong respect for the responsibility involved in working with vulnerable postoperative patients.
Explore the Academy’s training
If you are a qualified therapist looking to strengthen your understanding of postoperative care, explore the workshops and training pathway available through The Aftercare Academy.