A review of your vaginal and rectal, subjective and objective examination skills will be completed to ensure high standards are being maintained and more advanced practical skills are being used. Assessment of levator ani avulsions, advanced muscle palpation, POP-Q measurements for POP, standing assessments, and coccyx mobilizations will be taught. Perineal and vaginal tears will be reviewed, and muscle tone will be explored.
Bladder, bowel, and food diaries will be discussed, as will common outcome measures such as APFQ, pain scales, POP-Q, and ICS scales. Adjunctive devices such as pelvic floor training devices and apps will be discussed, as well as the importance of sleep, nutrition, stress management, and exercise as it relates to pelvic health.
Common conditions and treatments covered will include pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunctions, pelvic pain (male and female), gut health, menopause, coccyx injuries, prostate surgery, and hard flaccid syndrome. Common dermatological conditions and cancers of the pelvic region will be discussed.
We will also be reviewing case studies and challenging you to critically think at all stages of the patient management process.
I will run a 'How to perform internal rectal examinations' session the Friday afternoon prior to the Intermediate course. This course will be for those who are already practicing as pelvic health therapists, but who either have not learnt yet how to do internal rectal exams, or for those who wish to update their skills in this area. See RECTAL: Rectal Examinations for details and to book.
What people are saying about this course:
An absolutely incredible course full of laughter and knowledge. Would 100% recommend to anyone looking at advancing their basic internal and pelvic health skills. I gained so much from the course and feel a lot more confident with my rationale and skillset than I did before and I am so ready to put this in to practice with some of my more complex patients. Two cute black labs, the delicious food and the beautiful calming venue were bonuses! - Aimee
This is a great course to consolidate the learning from the integration and internals courses. Melissa provides an awesome learning environment and makes a situation that can be quite confronting, comfortable for all participants (from my perspective as the only male on the course!) - Derek
Melissa's teaching style makes studying what could be an awkward topic very approachable and fun. - Amanda
A great course with practical training support and advice giving me the confidence to be a better practitioner - Becky
Melissa presents and delivers a totally relevant course which sets you up so well with techniques and knowledge you can use immediately on returning to work on Monday. She makes attending a course an absolute pleasure and inspires you to continue improving and learning in a fun and informal way. Oh yes - also great location and food. - Jo
Course was absolutely amazing, very practical and hands on. She creates a safe space to learn. - Natalie
Fantastic course for anyone who wants to refresh their pelvic floor assessments or learn more about this area of physio. Everything about the course is great! Highly recommend! - Renee
How was the food?
- 10. Love it that I could eat most of the food even though I'm on keto :D
- 10 - loved the gut health foods and drinks
- Super yummy, filling, and healthy
- 10 oh yerrrrrr
- All was delicious
- 10!!!
- Healthy and delicious
- 10/10 - Great to experience the foods talked about for gut health, will be trying more (with my steak!)
Dr Melissa Davidson
Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health
PhD, MPhil, Dip.Physiotherapy, B.Science, Dip.Manipulation,
Post Graduate Certificates in Physiotherapy (Pelvic Floor and Acupuncture)
Certificate in Health Science
Registered with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand under Specialist Scope of Practice
Member of Physiotherapy New Zealand
There are limited places available on these courses. Female and male participants are welcome.
To attend this course, you must already be practicing as a pelvic health professional and completing internal vaginal and rectal* examinations with patients. You must be a registered health professional in New Zealand with a regulatory body.
Prerequisites to attend this course:
Previous pelvic health internal training with Melissa (eg Course 2: Intro to Pelvic Health internals 2021, or Pelvic Health Internals 2022).
If you have completed other courses where internal examination skills are taught, please contact Melissa at
[email protected] to see if that course qualifies you to attend this Intermediate course.
*If you have attended other courses on how to perform internal vaginal examinations only, you will need to attend the Rectal Course the afternoon prior to the Intermediate course to ensure you are up to speed with everyone else on the course.
Recommended to attend this course:
Melissa's Course 1: Integrating Pelvic Health into Musculoskeletal Training 2021, or Pelvic Health Integration 2022. This will ensure you have a well rounded pelvic health background.
$745 including GST for the two day course.