Level 2: The Role of Physiotherapy in the Treatment for Anyone Experiencing Pelvic Pain Through a Trauma Informed Lens – Hybrid (Live-Online/In-Person)

The lecture component will take place live-online November 14-15, 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 November 16, 2025, at various set locations. Attendance of both sessions (lecture and practical) is mandatory.

Canada: Vaughan, ON / Perth, ON / Westmount, QC / Calgary, AB / Abbotsford, BC / Kelowna, BC / Saskatoon, SK / Winnipeg, MB / Bedford, 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, and other health care professionals, an in-depth exploration of the assessment and evidence-based treatment strategies for individuals suffering from pelvic pain using a biopsychosocial approach (BPS). 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.

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

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 biopsychosocial approach for the assessment and treatment of pelvic pain conditions
• Review pelvic floor anatomy, with regards to various pelvic pain conditions
• Become familiar with the proper terminology used in assessment and treatment of the pelvic floor
• Incorporate informed consent, trauma-informed care, and a culturally sensitive approach into all patient interventions
• Review proper infection control techniques involved in pelvic floor muscle evaluation
• Incorporate outcome measures for various conditions
• Discuss precautions and contraindications for specific modalities
• 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
• Establish appropriate patient centered goals and develop an evidence-based treatment plan and its progression for the management of pelvic pain conditions
• Treatment interventions will include patient education, pain science education, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, behavioural modifications, lifestyle modifications and self-care strategies
• Discuss the importance of a multidisciplinary approach
• 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

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.

This 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 includes two days of live-online lecture, featuring comprehensive videos of all techniques, an in-person practical session, and 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. We recommend viewing the recorded course prior to the start of the live-online lecture.

Over the duration of the recorded trauma 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.

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.

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.