Master of pelvic physiotherapy

Pelvic physical therapy is a specialty within physical therapy that focuses on people with health problems in the pelvic region; on men, women and children of all ages. The pelvic region consists of the pelvis with the pelvic floor musculature and pelvic organs, lumbar spine and hips. In the pelvic region, one sees pre-eminently the interaction between the musculoskeletal system and internal organ systems. For example, force transfer from the lower extremity to the trunk and vice versa takes place in this region.

Our master’s program in pelvic physiotherapy is the first program accredited by the NVFB (Dutch Association for Pelvic Physiotherapy)

Functional disorders in the pelvis may subsequently manifest themselves in the musculoskeletal system in the form of loss of stability and motor control, but they also affect the functioning of the pelvic organs, in part due to the emergence of compensatory strategies. In this regard, the pelvic floor musculature is considered the link between the musculoskeletal system and the internal organ systems and regulates control of micturition and defecation, mechanical support to the pelvic organs and also plays a role in sexuality, in the regulation of abdominal pressure and stability and motor control in the pelvis and low back.

Because of the interconnectedness of the musculoskeletal and internal organ systems, dysfunctions in the pelvic region can manifest themselves in a wide variety of ways. Pelvic physiotherapists therefore see a wide and complex range of complaints ranging from pain and loss of stability in the pelvis and low back to complaints such as urinary or fecal leakage, prolapse or sexual problems. This means that pelvic physiotherapists collaborate with gynecologists, urologists, sexologists and gastroenterologists in addition to orthopedists, neurologists and rehabilitation physicians.

Training in Brief

Name: Professional Master of Pelvic Physical Therapy
Target audience: physical therapists, exercise therapists
Duration: 3 years*
Variant: Part-time
Degree: master of science (MSc)
Location: Amersfoort

* More information on the accelerated track will follow a.s.a.p.

Specialization: pediatric pelvic physiotherapy

Are you looking for a new challenge in physical therapy? Do you dare a new specialty? After training in pelvic physiotherapy, it is possible to specialize in pediatric pelvic physiotherapy.

“When I started the master’s program in Pelvic Physical Therapy, I didn’t know that the profession is so close to regular physical therapy on the one hand and taps into a whole new field on the other. The profession is very broad, and certainly not only a women’s profession. Never knew that so many men also have complaints in the pelvic region.”

Elles, third-year Master of Pelvic Physical Therapy student

Continuing education in pelvic physiotherapy

SOMT University of Physiotherapy provides continuing education within the musculoskeletal domain for specialized physiotherapists, bachelor physiotherapists and physicians. The courses, master classes and symposia are intended for anyone who wants to (continue to) update already acquired professional competencies to the prevailing scientific and substantive state of the art, or wants to further deepen or broaden.

Field of work of a pelvic physiotherapist

As a pelvic physical therapist, you can work well in a variety of settings such as:

Physical therapy practice (general/multiple specializations)
Pelvic physiotherapy practice (solo/multi)
Hospital (internal/police/academic)
Pelvic floor center
Nursing/care home
Pregnancy Centers
Training Institute: teacher in training
Expert in guideline development
Scientific research (assistant researcher)

Pelvic physiotherapy is a recognized specialization within physiotherapy and, if supplementary insurance is provided, is reimbursed by the health insurance company. In some cases pelvic physiotherapy is covered by the basic health insurance.

“I am only in my second year of training now but already several practices and a pelvic floor center have asked me to join them. I haven’t even graduated yet and already I have multiple job opportunities!”

Floor, second-year Master’s student in pelvic physical therapy

Structure & practicalities

In the first year, evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning are covered in depth and applied to the diagnostic process using case histories. In the second year, the emphasis is on prognostics and the therapeutic process. The third year focuses on clinical reasoning on the basis of complex cases. Also included are a number of theme days, such as pelvic physiotherapy in children and the elderly and a day at the anatomy laboratory of the Free University in Brussels. The implementation project and the science project are also completed in the third year.

Study days and study load

The course is a part-time program. Contact days are always on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in Amersfoort. Due to cooperation with other SOMT HBO-Master programs, it is possible that classes may take place on days other than Mondays and Tuesdays.
In addition, you will follow a number of internship days.

For the 3-year program, the study load is 12 to 16 hours per week, excluding internship. The program comprises a total of 90 credits (EC).

Details

Study load: 13-16h (per week)
Level: EKK 7
Accreditation: NVAO and NVFB
KRF NL registration: Yes
Language: Dutch **
Start of study: September

Starts September 2024 | 2-year course, location Amersfoort

Registration closed

Starts September 2025 | 2-year course, location Amersfoort

Registration open

- Schedule follows
- Price List 2025-2026

Pathways

Regular master's program in 3 years

As a general physical therapist with a bachelor’s degree, you will take a regular three-year master’s program at SOMT University of Physiotherapy. The three-year master’s program in Pelvic Physical Therapy starts in September.

Regular master's program in 2.5 years

Can you handle a higher course load? Then you can also complete the full Master of Pelvic Physical Therapy in 2.5 years. The total study load and quality is equal to that of the three-year program. Through efficient, hybrid teaching with a lot of personal guidance, we have developed an ambitious but studyable program for you.

You simply start at the same time as the 3-year apprenticeship program; by September. Once you have started the program you will make an appointment with the head of training to discuss your ambitious learning path.

Accelerated track in 2 years

More information to follow.

Accelerated course in 2 years for students from Belgium

pecially for students from Belgium, we offer a well-studied 2-year (60 ECTS) track in academic year 2023-2024. Read more about the opportunities for students from Belgium.

Admission

Admission to the Master program in Pelvic Physiotherapy is possible with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy recognized by the Dutch government and BIG registration.
It is desirable to be employed in practice, as the casuistry used in the teaching sessions has a continuous interaction with professional practice.

Training content

In the pelvic physiotherapy training you will acquire the competences to screen, diagnose, prognosticate and treat patients with pelvic and pelvic floor related complaints. Prevention is also an essential part of the training. You will also learn to function in a multidisciplinary setting. Scientific competencies and innovative competencies are expressed respectively in the scientific project, in which you participate in a research line, and in an implementation project.

Teaching method and testing

All assignments start from a case study and thus focus on the daily practice of the Pelvic Physical Therapist. The case can be about the clinical practice, but also about the professional attitude of the therapist or the multidisciplinary work. Thus, all roles of the pelvic physiotherapist are covered, as described in the professional profile of the pelvic physiotherapist.

Studying with the DUO Lifelong Learning Credit

Do you want to study with us and are you younger than 56? If you are not entitled (anymore) to regular study financing, you can sometimes still borrow money to pay tuition or fees.

With the DUOL lifetime learning credit, everyone can continue to develop.

The amount of lifelong learning credit depends on the amount of tuition or fees. For more information and applications, go to duo.nl/ levenlanglerenkrediet.

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