INTERNALS: Introduction to Pelvic Health Internals
In this two day in-person course you will learn how to assess patients using internal examinations, both vaginal and rectal.
Combine INTERNALS with INTEGRATION to complete the PART A: Pelvic Health Fundamentals Certificate. And add BUSINESS to accelerate applying your new clinical skills to help your patients and recoup your investment.
Format
Two days In-Person in Auckland on Sat/Sun 19/20 July. This course will only run once in 2025.
Content
In this two day in-person session, you will learn why pelvic health therapy is the first recommended conservative treatment internationally for many pelvic health conditions, including many maternal birth injuries. To assess and treat these injuries and conditions, internal examinations are required in most cases.
The focus of this weekend is learning how to assess patients using internal examinations (vaginal and rectal). Assessment of the pelvic floor muscles, levator ani avulsions, coccyx injuries, prolapses, and maternal birth injuries will be taught using the latest international guidelines. Peer-to-peer learning is used to maximize your ability to learn new skills. Three practical sessions during the course are provided for you to practice your assessment and treatment skills in a supportive environment.
Incontinence (urinary and faecal), pelvic organ prolapses, bowel issues, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain conditions in females and males will be introduced at a basic level. This weekend is clinically focused and will give you tools to enable you to immediately branch into the field of women's and men's pelvic health, and to call yourself a pelvic health therapist.
NOTE: At the end of this course you will be able to call yourself a pelvic health professional.
Participants
Females, males, and gender diverse registered health professionals (physiotherapists, osteopaths, nurses, gynaecologists, etc.) in good standing with their regulatory body are invited to take part in this course.
Pre-requisites
No prior knowledge of pelvic floor, women's or men's health needed.
Recommended: INTEGRATION: Integrating Pelvic Health into Your Practice
Presenter
Dr Melissa Davidson is the only registered Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health in New Zealand. Alongside her 34 years of clinical practice, Melissa has extensive post graduate qualifications including a PhD in Bioengineering, research Masters from The University of Melbourne, a Diploma in Advanced Orthopaedic Manipulations from Canada, and Post Graduate Certificates in Physiotherapy in both Pelvic Floor and Acupuncture. She also has a Certificate in Health Science, is registered with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand under Specialist Scope of Practice and is a long-term member of Physiotherapy New Zealand. She is the current President of the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Pelvic and Women's Health.
What people are saying about this course
"Thanks Melissa for creating fantastic courses. Have done Integration earlier in the year which was a great intro to pelvic health, and gave me information I could discuss with patients and skills to externally palpate the pelvic floor. And after just finishing the Internals course, which I was rather nervous about initially, however Melissa creates such a safe, comfortable learning space and really hammers-home the importance of informed consent and lots of examples of how to continuously do that before and throughout assessment to ensure the patient has a great experience. She also teaches to all different learning types - auditory, visual, and we even got to head outside to help visualize the internal exam better."
- Emma, Physiotherapist
"Melissa's course is a must for anyone wanting to develop skills in pelvic health physiotherapy. Having the opportunity to practice vaginal and rectal exams in a safe and encouraging space has made me feel so much more confident to be able to pursue this area of physiotherapy further. Melissa makes the course and her style of teaching very approachable and relatable which made me feel so much more at ease to ask questions. I have come away from this course feeling very motivated and inspired to being the career pathway in developing further in pelvic health. Thank you Melissa"
- Jennifer, Physiotherapist
"This is a great course with a good balance of theory and practical components. Melissa makes everyone feel comfortable no matter your previous experience, nervousness or gender! I highly recommend this course. Also the food is great!"
- Derek, Physiotherapist
"The contents of the course was great. Really friendly & supportive learning environment from Melissa and also other colleagues attending the course"
- Linh, Physiotherapist
"Amazing course, I was hesitant on going the step further into internal exams, but the course was fun, friendly, and not at all scary. The knowledge of the research and the clinical experience Melissa has in this area is very evident in the logical and informative way she has structured this course. I learnt a lot"
- Nina, Physiotherapist, Acupuncturist & Pilates Instructor
"As an MSK physio who was very nervous coming into this Internals course, I thoroughly enjoyed the course and felt very comfortable in participating in all aspects. The course removes the preconceived 'fear' and 'taboo' of pelvic health for clinicians which is vital in improving this area of health. Couldn't recommend this course more!"
– Shannon, Physiotherapist
Additional Information:
As this is a practical course which involves internal examinations, participants must be willing and able to have vaginal and rectal examinations done on them by fellow attendees (if appropriate). By using peer-to-peer learning, participants gain vital learning on how it feels to be a patient, as well as a health professional. This course allows people of all genders an opportunity to learn from each other and gain vital, practical clinical skills.
We will ensure the environment is private and supportive. Informed consent is discussed in detail on the course, and you will have the ability to consent or not consent to internal examination at the time of the assessments.
If you have your period, internal examinations can still be completed. Low risk pregnancies are not a contraindication to internal examinations. If you are pregnant, please let us know on the day of the course before the practical sessions.
Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea will be provided. If you have specific food requirements or allergies, we recommend you bring your own food with you.
Pre-reading and Evaluations
Three weeks before the course, we will be in touch with details of pre-reading to be completed prior to the course.
You will also need to complete a short pre-course test prior to the course to check your understanding of the pre-reading.
During the course there will be practical assessments testing clinical assessment skills learned on the weekend to ensure that by the end of the course you are competent. These are completed throughout the weekend and done in a relaxed, comfortable fashion. You will need to pass these assessments to complete the course.
You will also need to complete a post-course test and evaluation within 2 weeks after the course to receive your completion certificate.
Investment
Includes: In-person weekend with morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea; and completion certificate for 16 hours of CPD once all evaluations completed.
Course fee: $945 including GST for the two-day course.
Combine with other courses and save. See below for details
Choose your course of combo options below
Recommended option:
Save $160 with the
INTEGRATION, INTERNALS and BUSINESS Combo
Best option if you want to complete the Part A: Pelvic Health Fundamentals Certificate and
quickly apply your new clinical skills to help your patients and recoup your investment.
Register for INTEGRATION, INTERNALS and BUSINESS together and you only pay$1,635 $1,475.
Register for INTEGRATION, INTERNALS and BUSINESS together and you only pay
Part A: Pelvic Health Fundamentals Certificate +
BUSINESS: Accelerate your pelvic health practice
On Demand and In-Person in Auckland
Business On Demand | From March 2025
On Demand and In-Person in Auckland
Business On Demand | From March 2025
Integration On Demand | From March 2025
Internals 2 Days In-Person in Auckland | 19/20 July 2025
Internals 2 Days In-Person in Auckland | 19/20 July 2025
Auckland Venue: Unisports 261 Morrin Road, St Johns
Save $145 with the
INTEGRATION and INTERNALS Combo
INTEGRATION and INTERNALS Combo
Best option if you want to focus on a clinical career in Pelvic Health.
Register for INTEGRATION and INTERNALS together to complete the Part A: Pelvic Health Fundamentals Certificate
and you only pay$1,340 $1,195.
Register for INTEGRATION and INTERNALS together to complete the Part A: Pelvic Health Fundamentals Certificate
and you only pay
INTERNALS Course only
Best option for people who only want to become a Pelvic Health Professional.