About Us
Dr Melissa Davidson
Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health
Clinical Educator
PhD, MPhil, Dip.Physiotherapy, B.Science, Dip.Manipulation, Post Graduate Certificates in Physiotherapy (Pelvic Floor and Acupuncture)
Certificate in Health Science
Post graduate training has been an important part of Melissa's career development over the last three decades while working clinically with patients. She completed her PhD at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute at the University of Auckland (researching the effects of pregnancy on the pelvic floor muscles and assessing the palpation skills of clinicians). She has a Master of Philosophy (researching pelvic floor muscle tightness in a population of pain patients) from the University of Melbourne, Post Graduate Certificates in Physiotherapy for the Pelvic Floor (University of Melbourne) and Acupuncture (Otago University), and an Advanced Diploma in Orthopaedic Manipulation from Canada.
 
As well as these formal qualifications, Melissa has attended many short courses in a variety of topics ranging from musculoskeletal, to acupuncture, to pelvic health, and sexuality. She has also tutored and examined at the University of Melbourne (in Pelvic Floor and Women's Health) and presents both nationally and internationally. She is an active member of the Pelvic, Women's and Men's Health SIG of Physiotherapy New Zealand and is the current President to the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Pelvic and Women's Health. Melissa has a Certificate in Health Science and is currently completing qualifications in Health Coaching through PreKure Facility.
 
Alongside her clinical training, Melissa's employment history includes working in hospitals and private practices in New Zealand and Canada, as well as running her own successful multi-location private practice in Queenstown for many years. Since 2016 she has been successfully consulting as a specialist physiotherapist in multiple locations around NZ. As part of running her own businesses, Melissa has invested many hours in business training to enhance her private practice procedures, her income, and develop a strong niche market. This unique set of skills enables her to provide specific training and support in helping other health professionals be successful in pelvic health and business.
 
If you join us for a course in Kinloch (near Taupo), you will get to meet our 'fur-babies' as we run the courses out of our home. And you should not draw any conclusions about why their photos appear above Simon's ;-)
Ripley loves to greet everyone enthusiastically with her soft toys, and suckling her blanket or her teddy. 
Strider loves giving everyone a ball to throw for him and snuggling into people for cuddles.
Simon Smith
CTO and Co-Founder
B.Com, Cert. Training & HR Development
Simon is the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) and Co-Founder of Dr Melissa Davidson Pelvic Health Training. He is not a physiotherapist but he had the good sense to marry one.

Simon has worked in accounting and IT for the Health and Disability Commissioner, nzski.com, and AJ Hackett Bungy. While he was business manager for our private physiotherapy business in Queenstown, Simon moon-lighted as a contract trainer for Gensolve, New Zealand's leading PMS provider.

In our Christchurch years, Simon worked with Motus Health on projects to launch a pain service, and a joint venture with ACC and private hospitals leading to an Escalated Care Pathway for knee injuries. When we moved to Taupo, Simon completed a stint as Regional Manager - Waikato for APM Workcare before re-joining the family firm.

While Melissa is the face of the business (and out collecting qualifications), Simon uses his business and management experience to work behind the scenes dealing with the web-site, the bean-counting, and course and membership support requests - all the stuff that Melissa thinks is boring. He also provides one on one business consultanty with private practice owners to improve their businesses processes, cash flow, efficiency, and at the same time reduce the owners' (and employees') stress levels. This includes providing accreditation advice, documentation, and support.

(c) Dr Melissa Davidson, 2025