ADVANCED: Advanced Level Pelvic Health
In this two day course you will advance your skill base and your ability to extend your practice into more complex caseloads.
 
Combine ADVANCED with PELVIC PAIN to complete the PART B: Pelvic Health Proficiency Certificate.
Format
*New format for 2025*.
 

To give busy health professionals more flexible learning options and to reduce travel costs, we have split the ADVANCED course into two parts: a Theory Day and a Practical Day. The Theory day will be held Live Online in February with the recording available On Demand from March for self-paced learning. You must complete the Theory Day before attending the Practical Day. The Practical Day will be In-Person in either Kinloch (April) or Auckland (October).

For those who don't want to complete the two day Advanced Course in its entirety but are interested in either just the Theory Day or the Practical Day they are available to buy separately.

Content
You will review your subjective and objective examinations (vaginal and rectal) skills to ensure you are working to the latest international recommendations. Assessment of different maternal birth injuries including perineal and vaginal tears, levator ani avulsions, and coccyx injuries will be taught. Assessment of prolapse staging using objective POP-Q measurements as well as standing and sitting assessments will be covered, and you'll learn how to mobilize coccyx injuries. Advanced palpation skills will be taught including for scarring, muscle tone, and muscle contraction states.

Bladder, bowel, and food diaries will be discussed, as will common outcome measures. Adjunctive therapy such as pelvic floor training devices and apps will be discussed, as well as the importance of sleep, nutrition, gut health, stress management, and exercise as it relates to pelvic health.

Common conditions and treatments covered will include pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunctions, gut health (different conditions and treatment options), menopause, coccyx injuries, prostate surgery, and hard flaccid syndrome. Common dermatological conditions and cancers of the pelvic region will be discussed.

Throughout the course we will also be reviewing case studies and challenging you to think critically at all stages of the patient management process. This is alongside practical sessions for you to practice your assessment and treatment skills in a supportive environment.

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
 
 
If you have attended courses with other reputable trainers, please get in touch with Melissa to see if you qualify to attend this course.
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
"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, Physiotherapist
 
"Melissa presents and delivers a totally relevant course which sets you up so well with techniques and knowledge you can use immediatley 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, Physiotherapist
 
"Melissa is able to really keep you engaged delivering a fantastic learning experience. A very well put together course."
 
- Glenn, Osteopath
 
"Great course! I really felt it cemented the knowledge learned on the internals course to make me more confident as a pelvic health Physio"
 
- Jenny, Physiotherapist
 
"I work as an Osteopath and I have done 2 of Melissa's courses in Pelvic Health. The course has increased my anatomical and palpatory knowledge, the objective practical internal vaginal / rectal examination and treatment for pelvic health issues in men and woman. The missing link in this area for us Osteopaths who are treating pelvic health issues."
 
- Anne, Osteopath
 
"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, Physiotherapist
 
"The course was really valuable and helped me consolidate so much information. The amount of practical time we got was great and helped me gain a lot more confidence with my assessment and treatments. This course has given helped me elevate my pelvic health knowledge and skills!!! Food and venue were beautiful!! Melissa and Simon create such a comfortable and supportive space to learn and hone your skills!"
 
- Anneka, Physiotherapist
 
Additional Information:
The Practical day 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 on the Practical day. If you have specific food requirements or allergies, we recommend you bring your own food with you.

If the Practical day is held at Melissa'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 and tasks 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 day 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: Optional Live online session; access to self-paced on-demand course based on the 2025 live session available from March 2025; and completion certificate for 8 hours of CPD once all evaluations completed.
 

Earlybird special: $895 including GST for the two-day course. Available until 31 March 2025.

Full course fee: $945 including GST for the one-day course. From 1 April 2025.

Advanced Theory Day only: $495 including GST for one day.
 

Advanced Practical Day only: $495 including GST for one day.

Join the waiting list for 2025
The next Live Online ADVANCED Theory day  will be on Saturday 15 February 2025.
The recording will be available On Demand from March 2025.
 
In-Person ADVANCED Practical days will be held in
Kinloch on Saturday 5 April and in
Auckland on Saturday 11 October.
 
Register below for the waiting list.
 

Preferential booking for people on the waiting list opens on 11 January.And course registrations will be open to all from 20 January. We'll email you to let you know.

Click here to register for the waiting list