If you are travelling to attend this course/practical from outside of the province/country where you are registered to practice, please make sure you inquire with the College of the province where you are traveling to as to whether you require a temporary/courtesy licence.
The lecture component will take place live-online September 19-20, 2025, from 10:30am to 7:00pm ET (Toronto). By attending live, you’ll be able to harness the benefits of live discussions, timely feedback, and a collaborative environment.
In-person labs will be completed in-person on September 21, 2025, at various set locations. Attendance of both sessions (lecture and practical) is mandatory.
Canada: Vaughan, ON / Ottawa, ON / Kelowna, BC / Saskatoon, SK / Winnipeg, MB / Halifax, NS / Paradise, NL.
USA: Farmington, MI
OPTION TO BUNDLE LEVEL 2 WITH LEVEL 3 TO RECEIVE A $50 DISCOUNT – PLEASE SCROLL FURTHER DOWN FOR DETAILS:
Course Description:
This comprehensive course offers physiotherapists an in-depth exploration of the assessment and evidence-based treatment strategies for individuals suffering from pelvic pain. Topics covered in this course include (but are not limited to) the evaluation and hands-on treatment for the following conditions that contribute to pelvic pain: vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD), clitoral phimosis, dyspareunia, vaginismus, lichens sclerosis (LS), genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), pudendal neuralgia (PN), bladder pain syndrome (BPS), interstitial cystitis (IC), chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), dysmenorrhea, endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Physiotherapists will gain knowledge in the pathophysiology, signs, and symptoms that lead to these impairments, the functional limitations, and disabilities they cause and outcome measures that can be used in the clinic. Learn the skills necessary to provide effective care, empowering clients to regain their quality of life.
This course is designed to teach physiotherapists and other health professionals how to evaluate the pelvic floor by learning specific examination and treatments for these conditions. This is a lecture and lab-based course, and all pre-recorded lab videos will be played (total of 3 days).
Support resources, including assessment forms and patient handouts are included in the course cost.
Included in the cost of this course is access to a 1-day recorded course that focuses on understanding the impact of trauma on physical and emotional health and the barriers trauma may present to a patient’s experiences in healthcare, particularly pelvic floor physiotherapy. Over the duration of the course, we will explore the two most common types of traumas impacting pelvic health – childhood sexual abuse and birth trauma. We will explore how physiotherapists can apply a trauma-informed lens to their pelvic practice resulting in greater awareness, understanding and sensitivity for patients identifying as survivors of trauma. Through this increased sensitivity, physiotherapists, and other health professionals, will better support their patients and in turn, observe higher levels of trust, adherence, and cooperation from their client base.
Through completion of this course, participants will:
- Understand the conditions/definitions of vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, persistent genital arousal disorder, clitoral phimosis, dyspareunia, vaginismus, lichens sclerosis, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, pudendal neuralgia, bladder pain syndrome, interstitial cystitis, chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, and irritable bowel syndrome
- Understand the common symptoms, impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities associated in anyone experiencing pelvic pain
- Review the literature supporting the role of physiotherapy in the treatment of pelvic pain conditions
- Review pelvic floor anatomy, with regards to various pelvic pain conditions
- Improve palpation skills, vaginally and rectally, of the specific pelvic floor muscles in all three layers
- Perform internal and external, vaginal and rectal myofascial and soft tissue treatment techniques specific to pelvic pain conditions
- Describe specific client-related education and behavioural instruction related to pelvic pain conditions
- Understand and develop an appropriate treatment plan which includes a home exercise program for pelvic pain
- Recognize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach
- Integrate these learnt concepts with the use of case studies
The 1-day trauma video is recommended to be watched prior to the course. This section of the course will discuss/include:
- Why is a trauma-informed lens important for healthcare providers?
- Defining childhood sexual abuse and/or sexual assault
- How to recognize trauma: Signs and Symptoms
- Neurobiology of Trauma: How is the brain and emotional functioning affected?
- How does childhood sexual abuse or sexual assault shape or redefine a patient’s identity, sense of self, and body image?
- Defining birth trauma
- How does birth trauma affect pelvic floor recovery?
- Birth Trauma vs. Post-Partum Mood Disorders: Similarities and Differences
- Disclosures of Trauma: Appropriate and Inappropriate Responses by Healthcare Workers
- Coping techniques for patients
Join us for an immersive learning experience, using a trauma-informed lens, that will empower you to provide effective interventions for individuals dealing with pelvic pain.
This course combines lecture-based instruction with hands-on practical labs. During the practical session, attendees will work in small groups, taking on roles as both the clinician and patient. With an excellent ratio of lab assistants to participants, attendees will receive guidance throughout the practical portion. Lab assistants will be available to answer questions and ensure a supportive learning environment.
If you are unable or uncomfortable acting as a patient model for any reason, you are required to bring someone (such as a friend, family member, or colleague) to practice on, as there is no guarantee that another participant will volunteer to act as a model more than once. Please notify info@pelvichealthsolutions.ca if you will be bringing someone to practice on.
Audience: This course is open to physiotherapists, physiotherapy students, naturopathic doctors, naturopathic students, registered nurses, midwives and medical doctors. Labs include internal palpation.
Prerequisites: Level 1 (or equivalent to be approved by PHS – please email info@pelvichealthsolutions.ca for approval).
Please Note: This course is both lecture format and practical labs with vaginal and rectal palpation.
OPTION TO BUNDLE LEVEL 2 WITH LEVEL 3 TO RECEIVE A $50 DISCOUNT – DETAILS BELOW:
We highly recommend taking the level 3 course. If registering for the level 2/3 bundle, when completing your registration form, you will need to mark the level 3 course you are registering for from the following options: *Discount is only valid at time of registration.* Please note - each level 3 course takes place over 4 sessions.
Level 3: Biopsychosocial Reframed January 2025
Level 3: Biopsychosocial Reframed March 2025
Level 3: Biopsychosocial Reframed June 2025
Level 3: Biopsychosocial Reframed September/October 2025
Level 3: Biopsychosocial Reframed November 2025
What to Expect
During the live-online lecture via zoom:
- You will be able to ask questions in the chat and the instructors/assistant will respond to questions asked.
- No questions are silly – this is your chance to further your knowledge and ensure that you understand concepts.
- You will receive a copy of the pertinent information from the chat after the course, so if you don’t want to focus on the chat, you will not miss out on the information provided.
- You will always have an opportunity to ask questions between lectures. You can come off camera (if you want) or unmute.
- You may ask a private question via the chat with the instructor or assistant.
- We use polls to keep our sessions interactive. All polls are anonymous and are there to help you learn.
- At the end of each day, we do another poll/quiz (anonymous) to help you consolidate the knowledge gained that day.
- You will learn and get very comfortable with informed consent as it relates to doing an internal vaginal and rectal exam on your clients if this is clinically relevant to their presentation.
- You will also learn all the contraindications to performing an internal exam.
During the practical component:
- You will be in groups with other health professionals taking the course.
- You will have a lab assistant assigned to your group. These assistants are pelvic health therapists with extensive knowledge and experience in pelvic health.
- This is your chance to do your hands-on practice of all the assessment and treatment techniques taught during the lecture component and ask any questions you may have.
- You will each have a turn at being the clinician and evaluating your lab partner and practicing the techniques you have learned.
- You will have an opportunity at being the patient with your lab partner.
Benefits of being a patient during the practical:
- You get to experience what your clients will feel when they come and see you for treatment.
- This helps you understand why your client may feel vulnerable, nervous or have apprehension with the internal exam and you can ensure that you make them as comfortable as possible.
- This experience of being a patient helps you understand why we take a trauma-informed approach to our interventions.
Myths around internal vaginal and rectal exams:
- “I can’t have an exam if I have my menses”. We do exams on people during their menstrual cycles. This is safe and not messy as you might think. Quite a lot of conditions we treat include pelvic pain during the menstrual cycle.
- “I can’t have an exam if I am pregnant”. We do exams on pregnant people since quite a bit of them come and see us during pregnancy for bladder/bowels concerns and pelvic girdle pain. It is often clinically relevant to do a vaginal or rectal exam. This entails a conversation about why we want to do an internal and going over all adverse reactions and ensuring that there are no contra-indications. Any pregnant person that has a high-risk pregnancy or has been told they cannot engage in sexual activities that involves penetration should not have an internal exam. If uncertain, pregnant people can check with their obstetric care provider to ensure they can have an internal exam. Once we have consent from the pregnant client, we can proceed.
- “I have never been sexually active”. Many clients come to see us having never had intercourse. Some of these clients are referred to us for pelvic health conditions that may benefit from an internal vaginal or rectal exam. As in all discussions with our clients, and as part of informed consent, we need to explain our reasoning for doing an internal exam, review risks/adverse events. If the client consents, then we can proceed.
- “What about if I have had trauma?” This may very well be a concern for you and it our responsibility to ensure that you are always comfortable during the practical. Pelvic Health Solutions teaches taking a trauma-informed approach and you will practice this in the lab. A vast majority of our clients will have had an experience of trauma, and, as their therapist, participating in the lab provides you with knowledge on how to help your clients be comfortable if they consent to an internal exam. All clients are reminded of an important component of consent, which is that they can withdraw consent at any time.
- “I am so nervous about having an internal done in the lab” We absolutely understand that you may be nervous and apprehensive. Our labs are supervised by TA that will ensure your comfort and dignity. Our TA are all trauma informed.
You can talk to your lab assistant about any concerns you may have about the internal exam. They are there to ensure that you get the best learning experience possible.
Remember that if you sign the consent, this means that you are consenting to being a model during the practical.
If you do not sign the consent, you will need to bring in someone, such as a friend, colleague, family member, to be your model because we cannot guarantee another registrant will consent to being a model twice.
Registration Form
To register: please email your completed registration form(s) to info@pelvichealthsolutions.ca
Schedule
Level 2 - Date/Time:
Live-Online Lecture – September 19-20, 2025, from 10:30am-7:00pm ET (Toronto)
In-Person Labs – will be completed in-person on September 21, 2025, at various set locations. Attendance of both sessions (lecture and practical) is mandatory.
Canada: Vaughan, ON / Ottawa, ON / Kelowna, BC / Saskatoon, SK / Winnipeg, MB / Halifax, NS / Paradise, NL.
USA: Farmington, MI
Instructors
PHS Team