Course - Integrating Pelvic Health Into Your Practice

INTERNALS: Subjective and Objective Pelvic Health Internal Assessments

Develop the clinical skills and confidence to perform pelvic health internal examinations.

Many pelvic health conditions cannot be fully assessed without an internal examination.

Conditions such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, maternal birth injuries, pelvic pain, bowel dysfunction, and sexual health concerns often require a comprehensive internal assessment to accurately identify the underlying problem and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

The INTERNALS Course is designed for health professionals ready to take the next step into pelvic health practice. Through a combination of evidence-informed teaching and practical demonstrations, you will learn how to confidently perform both vaginal and rectal examinations while prioritising patient comfort, dignity, informed consent, and safety.

By the end of this course, you will have the practical skills and clinical confidence to begin assessing pelvic health conditions and expanding your scope into pelvic health care.

Why Internal Assessment Matters

Pelvic health physiotherapy is internationally recognised as a first-line conservative treatment for many pelvic health conditions.

To effectively assess and manage these conditions, clinicians need the skills to:

Identify pelvic floor dysfunction.
Assess muscle activation, strength, coordination, and relaxation.
Recognise pelvic floor trauma and maternal birth injuries.
Evaluate pelvic organ prolapse.
Screen for coccyx, bowel, bladder, pain, and sexual health concerns.
Develop targeted treatment plans based on objective findings.

Internal assessment is often the missing link between recognising a pelvic health condition and confidently treating it. Melissa is known for creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment that helps clinicians move beyond the fear and uncertainty often associated with learning internal examination skills.

What You'll Learn

Subjective Assessment

Comprehensive pelvic health history taking
Effective communication skills
Informed consent processes
Clinical reasoning and assessment planning
Patient safety, precautions, and contraindications

Objective Assessment

Vaginal examination techniques
Rectal examination techniques
Pelvic floor muscle assessment
Pelvic floor activation and dysfunction
Assessment of pelvic organ prolapse
Assessment of levator ani avulsions
Assessment of maternal birth injuries
Assessment of coccyx-related dysfunction
Equipment and clinical set-up

Clinical Management

Bladder dysfunction
Bowel dysfunction
Urinary and faecal incontinence
Pelvic pain
Sexual health considerations
Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT)
Toileting strategies
Bladder and bowel diaries
Lifestyle modification strategies
Referral pathways

Course Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Confidently conduct comprehensive pelvic health assessments.
Perform vaginal and rectal examinations safely and professionally.
Understand what normal and abnormal findings may present as.
Identify common pelvic floor dysfunctions across all genders.
Develop appropriate treatment plans and referral pathways.
Begin practising as a pelvic health clinician with confidence.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for health professionals who work with patients including:

Physiotherapists
Osteopaths
General Practitioners
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Other eligible registered health professionals

Pre-requisites:

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

Recommended: INTEGRATION: Integrating Pelvic Health into Your Practice

Learn From an Expert

Dr Melissa Davidson is New Zealand's only Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health and has more than 35 years of clinical experience.

Known for her engaging teaching style and evidence-based approach, Melissa makes complex pelvic health concepts easy to understand and immediately applicable in practice.