INTERNALS: Introduction to Pelvic Health Internals Exams
In this two day course (1 day theory on-line and 1 day practical in-person), you will learn how to assess patients using internal examinations, both vaginal and rectal.
Content
On this course, you will learn why pelvic health therapy is the internationally recommended first line of conservative treatment for many pelvic health conditions, including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and maternal birth injuries.
 
To assess and treat these maternal birth injuries and many other pelvic health 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.
 
Advanced realistic silicon models and peer-to-peer learning is used to maximize your ability to learn new skills.
 
Multiple practical sessions during the course are provided for you to practice your assessment and treatment skills in a supportive, safe 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 the tools to enable you to immediately branch into the field of pelvic health (all genders), and to call yourself a pelvic health clinician.

Combine this INTERNALS course with our INTEGRATION course to complete the PART A: Pelvic Health Fundamentals Certificate. And consider adding on our one day on-line BUSINESS course to accelerate applying your new clinical skills to help your patients and recoup your investment.
Format
To give busy health professionals more flexible learning options and to reduce travel costs, we have split the INTERNALS course into two parts: a Theory Day and a Practical Day.
 
The Theory day is On-Demand for self-paced learning.
 
You must complete the Theory Day before attending the Practical Day.
 
The Practical Day will be In-Person in a variety of locations in 2026. 
Participants
Female, male and gender diverse people who are registered health professionals in good standing in your home country are invited to enroll in the course. Health professional registration must be with the appropriate health professional board in your country such as Physiotherapy Board of NZ, AHPRA boards in Australia, Osteopathic Council of NZ, The Nursing Council of NZ, Medical Council of NZ, etc.
 
This course includes multiple practical sessions:
 

- We have advanced realistic silicone vaginal models (called 'Lily', after the Mt Cook native wildflower) available to practice your vaginal examinations on.

- If you wish to do peer-to-peer learning, it involves internal examinations with participants practicing on each other during the practical sessions. By using peer-to-peer learning, participants gain vital learning on how it feels to be a patient, as well as a health professional, ensuring you gain well rounded experiential learning. This course allows people of all genders an opportunity to learn from each other and gain vital, practical clinical skills. If you have specific requirements around genders, culture, trauma history, or something else during peer-to-peer learning, this will be taken into account so you are completely comfortable if you wish to take part. 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 choose to take part in peer-to-peer learning.

You can also choose to combine using the silicone model and peer-to-peer learning, its up to you.

Pre-requisites

No prior knowledge of pelvic floor, women's or men's health needed. 

Recommended: INTEGRATION: Integrating Pelvic Health into Your Practice available On-Demand for self-paced learning.

Presenter
Dr Melissa Davidson is the only registered Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health in New Zealand. Alongside more than three decades 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 and is a Certified Health Coach. She 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 immediate past 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:
Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea will be provided on the Practical day. If you have specific food requirements or allergies, we recommend you bring your own food with you.
 

Please note, if the Practical day is held at Melissa and Simon's home in Kinloch, Ripley and Strider, our two black labs, are ready, willing and able to provide cuddles as a key ingredient to a successful learning experience. It is recommended that you don't wear white and don't take a ball from Strider if he offers you one 🙂. If having dogs present on the course in the main teaching room is going to be an issue for you, I suggest doing the course in a different location.

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

Full course fee: NZ$945 including GST for the two-day course. 

Join the waiting list for 2026
This course will next be running in 2026. Register for the waiting list below.
Click here to register for the waiting list