You have come to the right place to begin your journey! The continuing education courses and clinical resources you will gain at Pelvic Health Solutions will prepare you to deliver evidence-based, biopsychosocial assessment and treatment of pelvic health issues.

Our Level 1 and Level 2/3 courses are a great entry point for internal therapists who are interested in learning more about female and male urinary incontinence and pelvic pain. From there, we offer many different specialized courses where you can broaden this knowledge according to your goals and patient population.

Generally, people who seek treatment for pelvic health issues present with multiple comorbidities, so it ultimately depends on what area of pelvic health you are looking to focus on and the clientele that you are interested in treating.

We offer various online courses through Embodia that are a fantastic next step. Trauma and the Pelvic Floor is an important course created to teach physiotherapists how to understand the impact of trauma on physical and emotional health, as well as how to apply a trauma-informed lens to their practice. Cultural Competencies in Pelvic Health is a great tool to help physiotherapists gain knowledge about the unique health care needs of the LGBTQ community and an understanding of those who practice specific cultural traditions and faith systems.

Furthermore, we offer many live-online courses for therapists who perform internal palpation and want to gain specialized skills and knowledge. For instance, after taking Pregnancy, Pelvic Girdle Pain & The Pelvic Floor you will learn about best practices for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction through pregnancy and birth, and restoring the pelvic floor postpartum, and taking Diastasis Rectus Abdominis & the Implications for Low back & Pelvic Health: What’s the Solution? will expand your knowledge in theoretical and practical constructs for assessment, treatment, and training of DRA.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as many people have been successful by both waiting for a longer period of time or just jumping right in from taking Level 1 to Level 2/3. It all depends on your personal preference and learning style. However, as pelvic physiotherapists we don’t just treat the pelvic floor – we must look at the whole person to treat them effectively. Therefore, it is important to complete Level 2/3 which will educate you about the Biopsychosocial Approach and how to actually implement it in your future practice.

Absolutely. As pelvic physiotherapists, we often treat clients during their menstrual cycle. Therefore, it is a great opportunity for you to experience internal palpation labs during your own menstrual cycle so you can reassure patients and put them at ease. Everything is very contained and clean, and you have nothing to worry about. However, if this still makes you uncomfortable and you prefer not to be a model during these labs you may choose to opt out.

As a Massage Therapist, you are more than welcome to take any of our courses that do not include internal palpation labs. You will be able to decipher this by reading the course descriptions and prerequisites. Generally, any course that does not say Level 1 as a prerequisite should be acceptable.

You are welcome to take any of our courses.

Osteopathic medical graduates registered by the college of physicians are fully trained physicians and qualified to participate in any of our courses, including our internal palpation courses.

You are welcome to take any of our courses, but are not authorized to participate in labs that require internal vaginal palpation.

Yes, we have a wide variety of live-online courses that provide a robust, interactive learning experience. These courses often include interactive poll questions, case studies, shareable resources, and a designated person who monitors the chat to help facilitate real-time question and answers. We have received incredible feedback on these live-online courses, and intend to continue with this flexible option for the long-term. The in-person lab component that is included in some of our live-online courses will be scheduled for different dates in the future.

We also have a multitude of online courses available through Embodia where you can gain valuable information wherever you want, whenever you want. These online courses are a fantastic resource you can enjoy from the comfort of your couch that will allow you to go at your own pace and provide you with access indefinitely.

Our cancellation policy is as follows:

  • If the course does not reach the minimum number of participants the instructors have the right to cancel the course up to 3 weeks prior to the course date. If the course is cancelled all participants will receive a full refund.
  • A participant can cancel their registration without penalty 4 weeks prior to the course.
  • If a participant cancels with less than 4 weeks notice before a course, a $100 administration fee will be charged.
  • No refunds for cancellations 2 weeks or less before course. However, 50% of lost fee can be applied towards a future course.

We welcome all licensed professionals to participate in internal palpation labs, regardless of the gender they identify with. Before the lab, we will confirm whether participants are comfortable partnering with other cis-male and cis-female participants. As long as two people are comfortable, we will match you up. However, if a match is not identified for a cis-male participant we will let them know ahead of time so they can bring their own consenting model.

Many pregnant women take part in our courses, and it is their personal choice whether or not they are comfortable participating in internal palpation labs. To the best of our knowledge, unless you have had numerous miscarriages in your first trimester before, have a high risk pregnancy, or have been advised not to participate in intercourse while pregnant, you should be safe to participate in these labs. With that being said, it is absolutely your choice. We encourage you to check with your obstetric care provider. If you decide not to participate, then you are however expected to bring your own model to the internal palpation labs.

Consent is of the utmost importance to both clinicians and pelvic health patients. You are absolutely free to choose not to provide your consent to participate in labs. If you have a condition that prevents you from participating or are simply not comfortable, then you are welcome to refuse participation and must bring your own model.

With that being said, the opportunity for self-growth and education through participating in the labs and understanding how vulnerable it can be for a patient is immeasurable. We believe that participating in labs is one of the greatest learning pieces of taking our courses and will ultimately make you a better clinician.

If you’re interested in hosting a course at your venue, please send us an email to: info@pelvichealthsolutions.ca

Please see here for the requirements:

  • Lecture and lab space that can accommodate a minimum of 24 registrants. Please include images or a video of the space in your email, you may be asked for dimensions.
  • Audiovisual equipment – projector, screen, speakers, and extension cord.
  • Course host that is on-site/available for the duration of the course.
  • Assist with coordination of deliveries of supplies, pickup local course supplies (reimbursement provided upon receipt).
  • Help promote the course locally (any associated costs to be approved and reimbursed by PHS).
  • Up to two no charge spots in the course in exchange for using the host venue at no charge. One no charge spot is provided for minimum 24 paying registrants. A second no charge spot is provided for 27+ paying registrants.

PHS is responsible for, but not limited to, course registration, collecting and processing payments, advertising, and providing course material.

We are looking for passionate, driven, and curious people who are dedicated to being #lifelonglearners. We want people with valuable experience and knowledge about pelvic health that are enthusiastic about sharing with the world. If you think you would be a great fit, please email your resume to info@pelvichealthsolutions.ca.

You can expect to walk into a truly supportive, non-judgemental, and inclusive environment of likeminded individuals who will most likely become your friends. You will usually be put into groups of two or three, and will get to know your partners throughout the course content and labs. You will always be asked to provide consent before the labs, and will be made to feel as comfortable and respected as possible. There will also be a high ratio of teaching assistants to registrants who will be there to offer their help and expertise. Overall, you will enjoy an exceptional educational experience that will hopefully be the beginning of a long journey in learning about pelvic health.

PHS Vaughan venue information:
399 Four Valley Drive, Unit 22,
Vaughan, Ontario L4K 5Y7

We suggest using the Waze App to locate the venue as Google Maps has previously provided inaccurate directions. 

Parking information:
On weekdays, please park on the street by the facility. Although there are no signs, parking is allowed on both sides. If this is not suitable or you have mobility issues, you could park in a marked visitor “V” spot. Please make sure you do not park in a numbered spot. If you park in a reserved spot, you may get tagged or towed away.

Directions:
If travelling on the 400 southbound:
Follow ON-400 S to Rutherford Rd/York Regional Rd. Take Exit 33 from ON-400S. Turn left onto Rutherford Rd. Turn right onto Jane St. Turn right onto Gensal Gate. Turn right onto Romina Dr. Turn left onto Four Valley Drive. 

If travelling on the 400 northbound:
Follow ON-400 and use the right lane to take exit 32 for Bass Pro Mills Drive. Turn right onto Bass Pro Mills Drive. Turn right onto Edgeley Blvd. Turn left onto Four Valley Drive.

Nearby hotels:

Novotel Toronto Vaughan Centre
200 Bass Pro Mills Dr.
Vaughan, Ontario  L4K 0B9
905-660-0212

Aloft Vaughan Mills
151 Bass Pro Mills Drive
Vaughan, Ontario  L4K 0E6
905-695-0500

Phone: 905-695-0500