Level 1: The Physical Therapy Approach For Anyone Experiencing Urinary Incontinence – Hybrid (Live-Online/In-Person)

Two-part format course: 

The lecture component of the course will take place live-online December 5-6, 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 – to be completed in-person on December 7, 2025, at various set locations. Attendance of both sessions (lecture and practical) is mandatory.

Canada: Vaughan, ON / Ottawa, ON / Calgary, AB / Edmonton, AB / Langley, BC / Kelowna, BC / Saskatoon, SK / Bedford, NS / Paradise, NL.

USA: Farmington, MI / San Diego, CA

Course Description: 

This comprehensive course focuses on the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of adults experiencing incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Designed for physiotherapists and other health professionals seeking to expand their knowledge in pelvic health, this course will equip participants with Level 1, Grade A evidence-based strategies to properly rehabilitate the pelvic floor. The course will help participants gain skills, beyond teaching externally driven pelvic floor exercises, to help enhance client outcomes.

This 3-day course is designed to evaluate the pelvic floor by learning specific examination and treatment techniques for these conditions, including vaginal and anal palpation. This course begins with two-days of live-online online lecture, featuring comprehensive videos of all techniques, followed by an in-person practical session (practical locations available are listed above).

Support resources, including assessment forms and patient handouts are included in the course cost. 

Through completion of this course, participants will:

• Acquire knowledge of anatomy and physiology of micturition, as well as pertinent pathologies for the different types of incontinence (stress, urge, mixed)
• Acquire knowledge of the different types of pelvic organ prolapse (cystocele, rectocele, uterine/vaginal vault prolapse)
• Acquire knowledge of the urodynamic and urological investigation procedures, as well as medical and surgical treatments for urinary incontinence and prolapse
• Become familiar with the proper terminology used in assessment and treatment of the pelvic floor; learn to differentiate the difference between increased and decreased pelvic floor muscle tone
• Incorporate informed consent, trauma-informed care, and a culturally sensitive approach into all patient interventions
• Discuss proper infection control techniques involved in pelvic floor muscle evaluation
• Incorporate outcome measures for various conditions
• Discuss precautions and contraindications for specific modalities
• Perform an evaluation of the pelvic floor vaginally and rectally
• Establish appropriate patient centered goals and develop an evidence-based treatment plan and its progression for the management of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse
• Gain skills in a variety of treatment techniques, including patient education, pelvic floor exercises, functional training, biofeedback, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, manual therapy, behavioural interventions, and lifestyle modifications
• Recognize the need for medical consultation and referral for conditions and presentations outside of your scope of practice
• Integrate these learnt concepts with the use of case studies
• All content covered will be immediately applicable in clinical practice

Join us for an immersive learning experience that will empower you to provide effective interventions for individuals dealing with incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and overall well-being.

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 trauma informed practical portion in a safe and supportive environment. 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: None – beginner level course