INTERNALS: Introduction to Pelvic Health Internals
In this two day in-person course you will learn how to assess patients using internal examinations, both vaginal and rectal.
 
Combine INTERNALS with INTEGRATION to complete the PART A: Pelvic Health Fundamentals Certificate.
Format
Two days in-person with one course in Auckland for 2025
Content
In this two day in-person session, you will learn why pelvic health therapy is the first recommended conservative treatment internationally for many pelvic health conditions, including many maternal birth injuries. To assess and treat these injuries and 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. Peer-to-peer learning is used to maximize your ability to learn new skills. Three practical sessions during the course are provided for you to practice your assessment and treatment skills in a supportive 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 tools to enable you to immediately branch into the field of women's and men's pelvic health, and to call yourself a pelvic health therapist.

NOTE: At the end of this course you will be able to call yourself a pelvic health professional.
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

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

Recommended: INTEGRATION: Integrating Pelvic Health into Musculoskeletal Practice

Presenter
Dr Melissa Davidson is the only registered Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health in New Zealand. Alongside her 33 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
"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:
As this is a practical course which 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. If you have specific food requirements or allergies, we recommend you bring your own food with you.

If the course 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 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
$895 including GST for the two-day in-person course. Price may increase for 2025.
 
Includes: in-person weekend with morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea; and completion certificate for 16 hours of CPD once all evaluations completed.
Join the waiting list for 2025
This course will next be running on Sat/Sun 19/20 July 2025. Register for the waiting list below.
 
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